Chevrolet Suburban vs Toyota bZ

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban maintained its iconic status in the full-size SUV market, balancing tradition with modern updates. Chevrolet carefully restyled the Suburban, preserving its recognizable profile while introducing a contemporary front fascia and rear end. The new lighting signatures added a dramatic flair, enhancing its appeal without alienating loyal customers. Inside, the Suburban saw significant upgrades, including a sophisticated dashboard and a sleek 17.7-inch touchscreen display, replacing the outdated 10.2-inch version. The interior improvements elevated the Suburban's luxury feel, making even the base model more appealing.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota bZ underwent a transformation that improved its aesthetic appeal. The restyled bZ featured body-color trim, enhancing its visual appeal compared to its predecessor. Inside, the dashboard and center console were redesigned for a cleaner look, with a 14-inch touchscreen integrating climate controls. The fabric seats in the XLE trim offered an upscale pattern, and the overall interior design imparted a higher sense of quality. However, the digital driver display remained a point of contention due to its placement and readability issues.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban offered a range of engine options, starting with a 5.3-liter V8 producing 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. The 6.2-liter V8, available in higher trims, delivered 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, providing a more satisfying driving experience. The standout option was the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six Duramax diesel engine, which saw a power increase to 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque. This engine was praised for its quiet and smooth operation, making it a favorite among reviewers. The Suburban's 10-speed automatic transmission paired well with all engines, and the recalibrated Magnetic Ride Control suspension improved ride quality, especially with the optional air suspension.

The 2026 Toyota bZ offered a choice between single-motor front-wheel drive (FWD) and dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. The base XLE with FWD and a 57.7-kWh battery provided 165 horsepower and 198 lb-ft of torque, with a range of 236 miles. Upgrading to the 74.7-kWh battery increased power to 224 hp and extended the range to 314 miles. The dual-motor AWD version produced 338 hp and offered a range of 288 miles. The bZ's regenerative braking system allowed for adjustable brake regeneration, but it lacked one-pedal driving capability. While the bZ excelled as a comfortable commuter, its performance on winding roads was hindered by its tires and steering.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in providing ample interior space, making it an ideal choice for families with multiple children or pets. It offered generous passenger space in all three rows and a massive cargo capacity of 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row. Folding the third row expanded the cargo space to 93.8 cubic feet, and with all seats folded, it reached an impressive 144.7 cubic feet. The Suburban's towing capacity was also noteworthy, with the ability to tow up to 8,300 pounds when properly equipped. The diesel engine's fuel efficiency further enhanced its appeal, offering over 700 miles of highway driving on a single tank.

The 2026 Toyota bZ, built on a skateboard-style EV platform, provided easy access with its 8.1 inches of ground clearance. The front seats featured standard height adjustment, and both XLE and Limited trims offered eight-way power adjustment for added comfort. The bZ's interior included thoughtful storage solutions, such as a large bin under the center armrest and a tray beneath the center console. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed ample legroom, although foot space was limited. The bZ's cargo space measured 27.7 cubic feet, expandable to 56.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban addressed its previous shortcomings in technology with a stunning 17.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This display, combined with an 11-inch driver information display and an available 15-inch head-up display, offered over 40 inches of screen real estate. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Google Built-in for seamless integration of Google services. While the user interface was intuitive, some aspects, like customizing the driver information display, proved challenging. The Suburban's tech improvements marked a significant upgrade over the previous model.

The 2026 Toyota bZ featured a 7-inch digital driver display and a new 14-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The driver display's placement and data density posed readability challenges, while the infotainment system lacked a home screen for simultaneous data display. Despite these drawbacks, the system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with several connected service plans. The Drive Connect feature powered the native navigation system and voice assistant, which performed well in most scenarios.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban came equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a surround-view camera. While official crash-test ratings for the 2025 model were unavailable, the 2024 Suburban received four out of five stars from the NHTSA. GM's Super Cruise hands-free driving technology was available on higher trims, although it was not immediately available at launch.

The 2026 Toyota bZ featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0) as standard, offering a range of safety features such as forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Limited trim added Traffic Jam Assist and other advanced features. However, the bZ's adaptive cruise control response was inconsistent, and the lack of a touch-sensitive steering wheel for driver monitoring was a drawback. The IIHS rated the bZ's front-crash avoidance tech as Good, but its headlights received a Poor rating, and frontal-impact crash tests earned Acceptable ratings.