2023 Land Rover Defender vs 2024 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was a standout in the Land Rover lineup, outselling the Discovery by a significant margin. Its boxy design, reminiscent of the old LR4, appealed to customers who preferred a classic Land Rover look over the Discovery's more Ford-like appearance. The Defender's design was characterized by its square-jawed face, rectangular hood and doors, and abruptly chopped tail, all of which contributed to its classic truck aesthetic. Tasteful accents, such as the dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, skylights along the roof, and body-color squares separating the side glass, paid homage to the original 1980s Defender. The vehicle was available in three body styles: the short two-door 90, the medium-length four-door 110, and the extended-length four-door 130, offering a range of choices for consumers.

Inside, the Defender maintained a focus on function and durability, with an interior that was basic yet unique. Despite its high price, the interior was coated in rubbers and plastics designed to resist stains and wick moisture, with exposed screws and plain-looking air vents. The steering wheel was reminiscent of an old Toyota, and the overall feel was more utilitarian than luxurious. While the build quality and fit were excellent, the Defender's interior lacked the opulence of a Range Rover, making its high price tag seem excessive to some. However, its hardcore character and unique design continued to attract buyers, making it the second most popular model in Land Rover's fleet.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban, on the other hand, was a long-standing icon in the automotive world, with a history stretching back 90 years. Despite its massive size, the Suburban blended into traffic, becoming a common sight on the roads. At nearly 19 feet long and over six feet tall, it was not for everyone, especially those in urban areas. However, for those needing ample cargo space, passenger room, and towing capacity, the Suburban was an ideal choice. Chevrolet offered the Suburban in six trims, each with increasing levels of luxury and features, from the basic LS with 18-inch alloy wheels to the top-tier High Country with 22-inch alloys.

Inside, the Suburban provided a comfortable cabin with plenty of space for passengers and cargo. Leather upholstery was standard on all but the base LS trim, and higher trims offered luxurious options like "Maple Sugar" and "Mocha" leather interiors. The Suburban's seats were supportive, with 12-way power adjustments for the driver and front passenger in higher trims. Despite these features, the interior felt somewhat pedestrian, lacking the richness expected in a vehicle of its size and price. However, the Suburban's practicality and comfort made it a popular choice for families and those needing a capable SUV for long road trips.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was a formidable off-road vehicle, with impressive grip, wheel articulation, and clearance. Its air suspension allowed it to tackle almost any terrain, although most owners would not use its full capabilities. On-road, the Defender's performance was less impressive, with excessive body roll, slow steering, and noticeable wind noise. The turbocharged inline-six and supercharged V8 engines provided ample power, with the V8 delivering 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. The six-cylinder engine, part of a 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain, offered 395 hp and 406 lb-ft, while the four-cylinder engine was less powerful at 296 hp and 295 lb-ft. Fuel economy varied, with the V8 returning 14/19/16 mpg, the six-cylinder 18/23/20, and the four-cylinder 17/20/18.

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 hp and 460 lb-ft, and a Duramax 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft. The 5.3-liter V8 was the most common, with a towing capacity of up to 8,300 pounds. The 6.2-liter V8 provided better acceleration, while the diesel offered superior fuel economy and cost savings. The Suburban's 10-speed automatic transmission was well-tuned, and the vehicle's size was manageable thanks to its responsive steering and brakes. The Suburban's air suspension handled rough roads well, although drivers needed to be mindful of its size and weight.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled as an everyday SUV, offering unmatched seating configurations. The two-door Defender 90 could seat six with an optional jump seat, while the 110 offered an optional third row, and the 130 had a standard third row for up to eight seats. The Defender's large glass areas provided excellent visibility, and the 130 featured a panoramic moonroof. Cargo space varied by model, with the 130 offering 77 cubic feet with seats folded, the 90 providing 58 cubic feet, and the 110 offering up to 79 cubic feet. The Defender also offered a range of accessories, including off-road tires, a roof rack, and a console refrigerator.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban was renowned for its cargo space, with 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 made it a top choice for those needing ample storage capacity. The Suburban's 28-gallon fuel tank allowed for long road trips, especially with the diesel engine's 26-mpg highway rating. The Suburban's interior was spacious and comfortable, with leather upholstery standard on most trims and options for luxurious leather interiors on higher trims.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender featured two touchscreen infotainment systems running Pivi Pro software. The standard 10-inch screen was integrated into the dashboard, while the optional 11.4-inch screen offered better legibility. Both screens were quick and easy to use, with features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice assistant, and navigation. The Defender S trim added heated power seats and a Meridian stereo, while higher trims offered additional features like air suspension, adaptive cruise control, and a head-up display.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban's infotainment system included a 10.2-inch touchscreen on all but the base LS trim, which had an 8-inch screen. The system featured Google Built-in, allowing access to Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play Store without a phone. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were also included. A rear-seat entertainment system was available as an option, adding twin touchscreens to the front seat backs. The Suburban's 10-speaker Bose audio system was adequate but lacked the richness of higher-end systems.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by U.S. safety organizations but received five stars in Euro NCAP crash testing. It came with six airbags, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included a digital instrument panel, head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with four stars in frontal crash tests, five in side-crash tests, and three in rollover tests. Standard safety features 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 and Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous driving system.