2023 Dodge Durango vs 2024 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2023 Dodge Durango, entering its 12th model year without a redesign, maintained a familiar yet attractive appearance. Dodge opted for clean, car-like styling, avoiding the trend of oversized grilles. Its slim design, complemented by forward-leaning headlights and a large lower air intake, demonstrated that SUVs could have a commanding presence without resorting to massive grilles. At the rear, Dodge's signature "racetrack" taillights provided a distinctive look. The muscular SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models featured unique styling elements, such as a Viper-like hood with a functional centre air inlet and heat extractors, but these were subtle. The SRT models also boasted unique wheels and a different front fascia, maintaining a similar shape to the standard version.

In contrast, the 2024 Chevrolet Suburban, with its long-standing history, blended seamlessly into traffic despite its massive size. Measuring 5,733 millimetres in length and 1,923 millimetres in height, the Suburban was not for everyone, especially those navigating urban areas. However, it catered to a specific market needing ample cargo and passenger space, as well as towing capacity. The Suburban was available in six trims, each offering varying levels of luxury and features. While the base LS trim came with 18-inch alloy wheels, the top-tier High Country rode on 22-inch alloys. Despite its size, the Suburban's interior was comfortable, with leather upholstery standard on most trims, and the Premier and High Country trims offering luxurious brown leather options.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered a range of powertrains, starting with the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, standard on the SXT, GT, and Citadel trims. This engine produced 293 horsepower (295 hp with dual exhaust) and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, all-wheel drive was standard. The 5.7-litre Hemi V8, standard on the R/T and optional on the Citadel, delivered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The SRT 392 model featured a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 with 475 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in approximately 4.5 seconds. The SRT Hellcat took performance to another level with a 6.2-litre supercharged V8, producing 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0-100 km/h in about 3.5 seconds. The Hellcat's adaptive-damping suspension, Pirelli P Zero tires, and Brembo brakes made managing its power straightforward.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine options: a 5.3-litre V8, a 6.2-litre V8, and a 3.0-litre Duramax turbodiesel six-cylinder. The 5.3-litre V8, standard on most trims, produced 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, with a towing capacity of up to 3,765 kilograms. The 6.2-litre V8, available on higher trims, delivered 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The Duramax diesel, with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, offered better fuel economy and was available at no extra cost on the High Country trim. The Suburban's 10-speed automatic transmission was well-tuned, and the vehicle's size was manageable, thanks to its steering and brakes. The Suburban's air suspension handled rough roads well, although its weight required cautious driving.

The 2023 Dodge Durango was available in seven-seat or six-seat configurations, with front bucket seats, a second-row bench, and a third-row bench standard on lower trims. Higher trims featured second-row captain's chairs. The Durango's interior space was competitive with other three-row midsize SUVs, although it offered less cargo space than some rivals. Cargo capacity was 487 litres with all seats in place, 1,226 litres with the third row folded, and 2,409 litres behind the first row. The Durango excelled in towing, with V6 models capable of towing up to 2,812 kilograms and V8 models up to 3,946 kilograms.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, offering 1,175 litres behind the third row, 2,656 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 4,097 litres. This made it a top choice for those needing substantial carrying capacity. The Suburban's 106-litre fuel tank, combined with the diesel engine's efficiency, allowed for long highway drives between fill-ups. The Suburban's towing capability was also impressive, making it ideal for family road trips with a boat in tow.

The 2023 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto on lower trims, while higher trims received a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity. The Uconnect infotainment system was user-friendly, with the larger screen offering the latest version. SRT models included the Performance Pages app, providing performance data on the touchscreen. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available on higher trims.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban came with a 10.2-inch touchscreen on most trims, featuring Google Built-in for seamless access to Google apps. 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, while good, lacked the richness of higher-end systems.

The 2023 Dodge Durango received mixed safety ratings, with a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It scored well in side crash tests but received lower marks in frontal and rollover tests. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, with additional driver-assist technologies available on higher trims.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban also received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with strong side-crash test results. It came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims offered additional features like Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous driving system.