2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2024 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan, following its 2022 updates, remained largely unchanged. In Canada, it was available in Trendline, Comfortline, Comfortline R-Line Black, and Highline R-Line trims, with the R-Line versions offering sportier styling. Prices ranged from $36,675 to $47,175, plus a $2,050 destination charge. The U.S. specification test vehicle was similar to the Canadian Highline R-Line trim. Despite offering six exterior colours, four interior colours, and various wheel designs, choices were limited by trim level, complicating the selection of a preferred combination. The test vehicle featured Atlantic Blue paint and Storm Grey leather seats, a combination exclusive to the Highline R-Line trim in Canada. Standard features included keyless entry, remote start, and an 8-way power driver’s seat. The Highline R-Line trim was favoured for its sporty look and 20-inch wheels, with adaptive front lighting and a light bar across the grille enhancing its appeal. Inside, the Tiguan offered an upscale cabin with quality materials, digital instrumentation, and a panoramic sunroof, all contributing to a solidly assembled feel.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban, a long-standing name in the automotive world, continued to blend into traffic despite its massive size. Measuring 5,733 millimetres in length and 1,923 millimetres in height, it was not suited for urban environments but ideal for those needing ample cargo and passenger space. Available in six trims—LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premier, and High Country—the Suburban offered features like automatic windshield wipers and LED lights, with higher trims adding more luxuries. The base LS had 18-inch wheels, while the High Country rode on 22-inch alloys. However, some features expected as standard on top trims, like power running-board steps and a panoramic moonroof, were optional extras. Inside, the Suburban provided a comfortable cabin with leather upholstery from the LT trim upwards, and the Premier and High Country offered premium leather options. The test vehicle included a heated steering wheel, tri-zone climate control, and supportive seats with 12-way power adjustments, though they lacked long-trip comfort.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system was standard, offering various driving modes like Eco, Normal, and Sport, along with off-road settings. The AWD system could send up to 50% of power to the rear wheels. Fuel economy was rated at 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres, though testing showed 10.4 L/100 km. The Tiguan's engine provided adequate power, but passing and high-rev situations revealed its limitations. The automatic transmission occasionally stumbled, and turbo lag was noticeable from a stop. Despite these quirks, the Tiguan offered rewarding dynamics, with excellent tire grip, stable handling, and a compliant ride. Road noise was present, but visibility was excellent, aided by thin windshield pillars and variable-assist steering. The Highline R-Line trim, with its larger wheels, enhanced the driving experience.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine options: a 5.3-litre V8 with 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, a 6.2-litre V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-litre turbodiesel six-cylinder with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The 5.3-litre V8 was standard on most trims, providing a towing capacity of up to 3,765 kilograms with the Max Trailering Package. The 6.2-litre V8, available on higher trims, offered better acceleration, while the diesel engine delivered superior fuel economy and was cost-neutral on the High Country trim. The diesel engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided smooth acceleration and passing power. The Suburban's size was noticeable, but the transmission's electronic button-style shift mechanism freed up console space. In Canada, RWD was standard on lower trims, with 4WD on others. The Suburban's steering and brakes were effective, and the air suspension handled rough roads well, though body roll was expected due to its weight.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a roomy interior, with some configurations including a third-row seat, though this reduced cargo space. The test vehicle featured comfortable front seats with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, along with a heated steering wheel. Storage was ample, despite a small centre armrest bin. The dashboard's touch-sensing controls were problematic, with poor ergonomics and usability issues. The Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with generous rear legroom and a large cargo area. Without the third-row seat, it offered 1,064 litres of cargo space behind the second row and 2,078 litres behind the front seats, comparable to some midsize SUVs.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban was renowned for its 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 capacity surpassed competitors like the Ford Expedition Max and Jeep Wagoneer L. The Suburban's 106-litre fuel tank, combined with the diesel engine's efficiency, allowed for over 1,000 kilometres of highway driving between fill-ups. The Suburban was ideal for families needing ample space for road trips and towing.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured digital instrumentation, with R-Line trims offering a larger 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on higher trims, included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a nine-speaker Fender sound system. However, the system's interface was complex, with multi-step processes for simple tasks. Voice recognition was subpar, likely due to inactive subscriptions, making it less useful for hands-free control.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban's infotainment system included a 10.2-inch touchscreen on most trims, with Google Built-in providing access to apps like Google Maps and Assistant. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard, and a rear-seat entertainment system was available. The 10-speaker Bose audio system offered good fidelity but lacked depth compared to competitors' systems.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in safety features, with standard Front Assist and Side Assist, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The IQ.Drive package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and semi-autonomous driving features. The Tiguan's safety technology was effective and unobtrusive. However, crash-test ratings were incomplete, with concerns about the driver's door unlatching during side-impact tests.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with four stars in frontal crashes, five in side crashes, and three in rollovers. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims offered Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous driving system. The Suburban's safety features were comprehensive, though its crash-test ratings highlighted areas for improvement.