2023 Subaru Forester vs 2024 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2023 Subaru Forester, despite its familiar and somewhat unremarkable exterior, offered a practical and functional design. Its Premier trim, priced at $44,087 including destination, featured appealing 18-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome exterior trim, enhancing its overall appearance. The Forester's design was characterized by its two-box shape, flared fenders, and distinctive lighting, resembling a smaller Subaru Ascent. Inside, the Premier trim boasted exclusive brown leather, exposed stitching, and metallic accents, maintaining a traditional Subaru design with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen. While the interior was busy with a mix of materials, the control layout was user-friendly, relying on traditional buttons and knobs for ease of use.

In contrast, the 2024 Chevrolet Suburban, with its long-standing reputation, presented a massive and imposing silhouette. Despite its size, it blended into traffic due to its familiarity. The Suburban's dimensions were impressive, measuring 5,733 millimetres in length and 1,923 millimetres in height. It was available in six trims, with the High Country trim offering luxurious features like 22-inch alloy wheels. However, even the top trims required additional options for features like power running-board steps and a panoramic power moonroof. Inside, the Suburban provided a spacious cabin with leather upholstery in higher trims, but the interior felt somewhat pedestrian despite its premium features. The seats offered ample adjustments, but comfort could be improved for long journeys.

The 2023 Subaru Forester was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that mimicked a traditional automatic. It featured Subaru's Intelligent Drive SI-Drive system with a Sport mode and an X-Mode off-road traction control system. The Forester Premier, tested in challenging weather conditions, demonstrated its capability by navigating flooded roads and muddy trails with ease. While the engine was adequate, it was louder than expected, and the Forester's driving dynamics were commendable, offering a comfortable and communicative ride. However, the Forester's fuel economy fell short of expectations, and a turbocharged or hybrid option would have been appreciated.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine options: a 5.3-litre V8 with 355 horsepower, a 6.2-litre V8 with 420 horsepower, and a 3.0-litre turbodiesel six-cylinder with 277 horsepower. The 5.3-litre V8 was the most common, providing ample power and towing capacity of up to 3,765 kilograms with the Max Trailering Package. The 6.2-litre V8 offered better acceleration, while the diesel engine delivered improved fuel economy. The Suburban's 10-speed automatic transmission was well-tuned, and the vehicle's size was manageable thanks to its steering and brakes. However, its electronic button-style shift mechanism might not appeal to all drivers. The Suburban's air suspension handled rough roads well, but its size resulted in some body roll.

The 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized function over form, offering practicality and simplicity. It featured a panoramic glass sunroof, power-adjustable seats, and heated front seats as standard. Higher trims offered leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control. The Forester's visibility was excellent, making it easy to drive and park. However, the panoramic sunroof's lack of tinting could lead to solar heating, and the rear seats lacked comfort for long trips. The Forester's cargo space was average for its segment, with 762 litres behind the rear seats and 1,957 litres with the seats folded.

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. Its towing capability was a major selling point, and the Suburban's fuel tank allowed for long-distance travel. The Suburban's interior was spacious, accommodating up to seven passengers comfortably. However, its size could be challenging in urban environments, and the interior, while functional, lacked the premium feel expected in higher trims.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system was available. The Forester's user interface was straightforward, with separate climate controls and easy-to-use knobs. However, the voice-recognition system was unreliable, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable for navigation.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban came with a 10.2-inch touchscreen, standard on all but the base LS trim. It featured Google Built-in, allowing access to Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play Store. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were included, and a rear-seat entertainment system was available. However, the 10-speaker Bose audio system lacked the richness of higher-end systems, and the infotainment screen felt small in the Suburban's large cabin.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured the next-generation EyeSight system with updated software and cameras, offering adaptive cruise control and Automatic Emergency Steering. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on higher trims. The Forester received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, though it fell short in some new tests.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban received a four-star overall crash safety rating from the NHTSA, with four stars in frontal crash tests, five in side-crash tests, and three in rollover tests. It included standard safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims offered Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous driving system, as part of the Advanced Technology Package.