Chevrolet Suburban vs Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with two electric motor-generators, producing 243 horsepower. The AWD version added a third electric motor for the rear wheels. The SUV weighed 4,430 pounds in Platinum trim and could run on electricity alone at low speeds. However, the gas engine's 175 pound-feet of torque limited high-speed passing power, and towing the claimed 3,500 pounds seemed impractical. The Highlander Hybrid offered Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with a Trail mode for light off-road use. Its 8.0 inches of ground clearance and electric AWD were best for winter traction. The Predictive Efficient Drive system aimed to optimize fuel economy but fell short, with the test vehicle averaging 28.7 mpg instead of the EPA's 35 mpg estimate. The driving experience was uninspiring, with soft suspension, a groaning CVT, and disengaging steering. The Highlander Hybrid was best suited for city and suburban driving, offering a smooth and quiet ride but lacking excitement.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine options: a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The 5.3-liter V8 was standard on most trims, providing an 8,300-pound towing capacity with the Max Trailering Package. The 6.2-liter V8 was available on higher trims, offering better acceleration. The diesel engine delivered superior fuel economy and was $1,500 cheaper than the V8 on the High Country trim. The Suburban's 10-speed automatic transmission was well-tuned, and the electronic button-style shift mechanism freed up console space. RWD was standard, with 4WD optional on most trims. The Suburban's steering and brakes were effective, and the air suspension handled rough roads well, though drivers should expect some body roll due to its size.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was designed to accommodate family life, seating seven or eight people depending on the configuration. Most models featured second-row captain's chairs, making the third row suitable only for occasional use. Standard features included three-zone automatic climate control, with heated and ventilated front seats and heated second-row captain's chairs in the test vehicle. The front seats offered power adjustment but lacked sufficient thigh support. The second-row seats were comfortable, with sunshades for rear-facing child seats. Accessing the third row was challenging, and the seats were uncomfortable for adults. The Highlander Hybrid had a dashboard shelf with a wireless smartphone charger and rubber-lined cupholders. However, storage areas were unlined, and the center console design was cumbersome. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, and 84.3 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, offering 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 93.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 144.7 cubic feet. This capacity surpassed competitors like the Ford Expedition Max and Jeep Wagoneer L. The Suburban was ideal for families needing ample space for road trips, with a 28-gallon fuel tank providing a range of 650-700 miles on the highway with the diesel engine.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured updated technology, with upper trims receiving a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display. However, the controls were not intuitive. The infotainment system included an 8.0-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 12.3-inch display on higher trims, with over-the-air updates, dual-device Bluetooth pairing, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD Radio, and SiriusXM. Connected services included Wi-Fi Connect, Remote Connect, and Drive Connect, offering features like natural voice recognition and cloud-based navigation. The test vehicle had a head-up display and an 11-speaker JBL sound system, which provided decent sound quality. The Toyota Audio Multimedia platform was user-friendly, though the graphics could be improved.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban's infotainment system featured a 10.2-inch touchscreen on most trims, with an 8-inch screen on the base LS trim. The system was user-friendly, with Google Built-in providing access to Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play Store. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were included, and a rear-seat entertainment system was available as an option. The 10-speaker Bose audio system offered good fidelity but lacked richness compared to higher-end systems in competitors.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid prioritized safety with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and road sign assist. Hybrids also had blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Limited and Platinum trims added parking sensors and a surround-view camera. The ADAS performed well, though it occasionally struggled with lane changes and rural roads. Safety Connect provided emergency assistance and collision notification. The Highlander Hybrid received excellent crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban received a four-star overall crash safety rating from the NHTSA, with four stars in frontal crash tests, five in side-crash tests, and three in rollover tests. Standard ADAS included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and Chevy's Teen Driver feature. Higher trims offered additional features like rear cross-traffic alert. The Premier and High Country trims could be equipped with Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous driving system, for an additional cost. Super Cruise managed speed, steering, and lane changes on pre-mapped roads, with a subscription fee for activation.