2025 Jeep Wrangler vs 2024 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban had a long-standing presence in the automotive world, being a familiar sight on the roads for nearly 90 years. Despite its massive size, it managed to blend seamlessly into traffic, becoming an institution rather than a novelty. Measuring 5,733 millimetres in length and 1,923 millimetres in height, the Suburban was not for everyone, especially those navigating urban environments. However, it catered to a specific market that valued its extensive cargo space, passenger capacity, and towing capabilities. Available in six trims, from the LS to the High Country, the Suburban offered a range of features, including automatic windshield wipers, LED lights, and tinted windows. While the base LS trim came with 18-inch alloy wheels, the High Country boasted 22-inch alloys. Inside, the Suburban provided a spacious and comfortable cabin, with leather upholstery standard on all but the LS trim. Despite its luxurious offerings, the interior felt somewhat pedestrian, with supportive but not overly comfortable seats for long journeys.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sport S, on the other hand, presented a rugged and utilitarian design, rooted in its military vehicle heritage. The black-on-black-on-black colour scheme of the rental model was less than ideal for a tropical climate, but the Wrangler's appeal lay in its capability to traverse almost any terrain. Offered in various trims, including Sport, Willys, Sahara, and Rubicon, the Wrangler was available with a plug-in hybrid option, though this review focused on the gas-only versions. The Sport S model came with a few options, including a black hardtop and a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Despite its high price tag, the Wrangler's interior was functional, with a focus on durability over luxury. The design was appealing, but the vehicle's lack of sophistication was evident compared to more modern cars.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine options: a 5.3-litre V8, a 6.2-litre V8, and a 3.0-litre turbodiesel six-cylinder. The 5.3-litre V8, standard on most trims, delivered 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of up to 3,765 kilograms when equipped with the Max Trailering Package. The 6.2-litre V8, available on higher trims, provided 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, offering smoother acceleration. The Duramax diesel engine, with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, excelled in fuel economy and towing, making it a preferred choice for those seeking efficiency. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and the Suburban's size was managed well by its steering and brakes, though drivers needed to be mindful of its weight and body roll.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler came with a standard 3.6-litre V6 engine and a six-speed manual transmission, or an optional turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder engine produced 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, offering slightly better fuel efficiency and performance at higher elevations. During testing, the four-cylinder Wrangler achieved an average fuel economy of 12.3 L/100 km. The Wrangler's standard four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, and narrow width made it adept at off-road adventures, though its ride was rough, and handling was less precise. The Wrangler's rollover resistance rating was a concern, and its steering feel was disconnected, especially at higher speeds.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, with 1,175 litres available behind the third row, expanding to 2,656 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 4,097 litres with all seats down. This capacity surpassed competitors like the Ford Expedition Max and Jeep Wagoneer L, making it ideal for families needing ample space for road trips. The Suburban's 106-litre fuel tank, combined with the diesel engine's efficiency, allowed for long-distance travel without frequent refuelling.

In contrast, the 2025 Jeep Wrangler posed challenges for entry and exit due to its high ground clearance and narrow door openings. While the front seats were comfortable, rear-seat legroom was limited, and storage space was minimal. The Wrangler's cargo area was accessible through a tailgate and rear window, but the process was cumbersome, especially with the spare tire mounted on the tailgate. The four-door model offered 897 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,050 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban featured a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, standard on all but the base LS trim, which had an 8-inch screen. The system included Google Built-in, wireless Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, with an optional rear-seat entertainment system. However, the 10-speaker Bose audio system lacked the richness of higher-end systems found in competitors.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler's Uconnect 5 infotainment system boasted a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an optional nine-speaker Alpine sound system. The Convenience Group package added a 7-inch digital display, passive entry, and remote engine start. The Wrangler's infotainment system was user-friendly, even with the roof panels removed, and the Safety Group package offered rear parking sensors.

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. 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 2025 Jeep Wrangler introduced standard side curtain airbags for front and rear seats. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, with adaptive cruise control available on higher trims. The Wrangler received a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA, with a Good rating for side-impact protection from the IIHS.