2022 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a more traditional SUV styling compared to other small luxury crossovers, featuring a tall, flat roof and an upright rear hatch. It seamlessly integrated with the rest of the Volvo lineup, showcasing familial styling cues like the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a white contrasting roof for a retro touch. The XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and model-specific alloy wheels. It also featured a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a unique rear bumper, and an exclusive Sage Green Metallic colour. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery, creating a coherent and pleasing design.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Suburban adopted the brand's full-size truck design language, sharing its exterior styling with the Tahoe SUV and Silverado 1500 pickup. Its tall hood, long proportions, and large wheels gave it a supersized appearance. The Suburban was available in six trims, offering customization through varying grille, fascia, and wheel designs. The RST trim, with its Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior and black-painted 22-inch wheels, exuded a sporty look. Inside, the Suburban offered a spacious cabin ranging from economically comfortable to plush, depending on the trim. The RST featured 10-way power front seats, Jet Black perforated leather with Victory Red stitching, and an optional Luxury package, though the predominantly black interior felt a bit dark despite chrome sill plates and red stitching.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T4 produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the T5 delivered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring dual electric motors for all-wheel drive, generating a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. It housed a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with 75 kWh usable capacity, enabling a 0 to 100 km/h time of 4.9 seconds. The XC40 emphasized luxury and comfort, with excellent ride quality and one-pedal driving capability. The Recharge could tow up to 900 kilograms when properly equipped.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine choices: a 5.3-litre V8, a 6.2-litre V8, and a new 3.0-litre turbodiesel inline-six, all paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The 5.3-litre V8, standard on most trims, produced 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. The 6.2-litre V8, standard on the High Country and available on other trims, delivered 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. The 3.0-litre diesel offered 277 hp and 460 lb-ft, providing excellent fuel efficiency. The Suburban's independent rear suspension improved ride and handling, while the RST trim with the 6.2-litre V8 and Magnetic Ride Control offered effortless power and acceleration. The Suburban's maximum towing capacity was 3,765 kilograms with the Max Trailering Package.

The 2021 Volvo XC40, both in gasoline and Recharge versions, offered no difference in passenger or cargo space. However, it was less spacious than competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E, with limited legroom and a smaller cargo area. The Recharge's frunk was also small due to powertrain hardware. Despite this, Volvo provided clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the centre console and large door bins by relocating the audio system's speakers to the dashboard. A wireless charging pad was optional, but second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

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, with a livable third row providing adequate headroom and legroom. The Suburban boasted 1,175 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 4,097 litres with seats folded flat. The second-row seats slid forward or backward, and both rear rows folded flat with ease. The optional power-sliding centre console revealed additional storage, while a hidden drawer secured valuables. However, the Suburban's size made it challenging to maneuver and park in tight spaces, and the new electronic push-button transmission controls required adjustment for those accustomed to a column-mounted shifter.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, integrating Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Bluetooth connectivity, with a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge offered OTA update capability, enhancing vehicle functions without dealership visits. It lacked a start button, allowing drivers to shift out of park with the key fob present. The Polestar 2's Digital Key feature was anticipated but not confirmed for the XC40.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban embraced technology with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster standard on LT trims and above, featuring Google built-in with Google Maps, Assistant, and Play Store access. The Infotainment 3 System with an 8-inch touchscreen was standard on the LS, while a 10.2-inch Premium System was standard on LT and above. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and device charging were standard on higher trims. The Suburban offered a WiFi hotspot and various audio systems, with the Premier and High Country featuring a premium Bose 10-speaker system. The RST trim's nine-speaker Bose system provided decent sound quality but was inferior to the premium system.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 gasoline model received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. The electric Recharge model was expected to perform well in crash tests due to its safety cage and redesigned front crash structure. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Recharge model featured Volvo’s latest sensor suite, scalable for future driver aids.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban, redesigned in 2021, included standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and more. For 2022, additional features like front park assist and lane-keeping assistance became standard. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, HD surround vision, and blind-spot monitoring. The Suburban received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four stars for front crash protection, five stars for side crash protection, and three stars for rollover resistance. The IIHS had not tested the current-generation Suburban.