2022 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2021 Ford Explorer

The 2021 Ford Explorer presented a familiar yet appealing design, reminiscent of Ford's traditional SUV lineup. Its exterior was marked by sporty, raked belt lines and distinctive visages, making it stand out among competitors. The Explorer offered six trim levels, each with varying grille designs and price points, ranging from $32,925 to $52,730. Inside, the Explorer provided three rows of seating as standard, with the base model featuring cloth upholstery. The dashboard was clean and user-friendly, with an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and a rotary gearshift that maximized storage space. The XLT trim was particularly popular, offering enhanced features like a power front passenger seat and a 6.5-inch instrument panel screen.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban, redesigned in 2021, adopted Chevrolet's full-size truck design language, sharing its styling with the Tahoe and Silverado 1500. The Suburban's tall hood, long proportions, and large wheels gave it a commanding presence. Available in six trims, the Suburban offered customization options, with the RST trim featuring a striking Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior and 22-inch wheels. Inside, the Suburban boasted a spacious cabin, with leather seats standard from the LT trim upwards. The RST trim included 10-way power seats and Jet Black perforated leather with Victory Red stitching. Despite its spaciousness, the predominantly black interior of the RST felt somewhat dark, though chrome sill plates and red stitching added some contrast.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, weighing in at 4,345 pounds at its lightest, was powered by a base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This engine outperformed the Kia Telluride's V6, despite the Explorer's heavier weight. All trims featured a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Explorer Limited Hybrid offered a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims boasted a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, producing 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, while the sport-oriented ST trim delivered 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer excelled in towing, with capacities ranging from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, though it fell short of the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition's capabilities.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine choices: a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft, and a new 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-six with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The 6.2-liter V8, part of the Sport Performance package, provided noticeable power and acceleration, making towing a breeze. The Suburban's maximum towing capacity was 8,300 pounds. The independent rear suspension, introduced in the 2021 redesign, improved ride and handling while increasing third-row passenger space and cargo capacity.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered seating for seven in the base model, with captain's chairs in higher trims reducing capacity to six. It provided 39 inches of second-row legroom, surpassing some competitors but falling short of others like the Kia Telluride. With the third row in use, the Explorer offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 81 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, which was modest compared to larger SUVs.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in space, accommodating up to nine occupants with the optional front-row bench seat. Most models offered seven- or eight-passenger seating. The third row was spacious and accessible, with 41.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind it, expanding to 144.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The Suburban featured a power-sliding center console and ample storage options. However, its size made maneuvering and parking challenging, especially in urban areas.

The 2021 Ford Explorer came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen, offering AM/FM radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system. Higher trims featured a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. Charging options included two USB ports and five 12-volt power points, with a 110-volt AC outlet available on higher trims.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered advanced technology, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and Google built-in on LT trims and above. The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System with an 8-inch touchscreen was standard, while a 10.2-inch system was available on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot were standard. The Suburban's audio options ranged from a basic six-speaker system to a premium Bose CenterPoint system.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights. The Ford Co-Pilot360 suite included features like auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ suite, available on higher trims, added adaptive cruise control and other advanced features.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban featured the Chevy Safety Assist suite, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. The Suburban received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with varying scores in individual crash tests.