2024 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2025 Mazda CX-90

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban, a long-standing icon in the automotive world, continued to blend seamlessly into traffic despite its massive size. With a history spanning 90 years, the Suburban was a familiar sight on the roads, offering a sense of tradition rather than novelty. Its imposing dimensions, measuring 5,733 millimetres in length and 1,923 millimetres in height, made it a vehicle not suited for everyone, especially in urban settings. However, for those in need of ample cargo and passenger space, along with significant towing capacity, the Suburban was a reliable choice. Available in six trims, from the basic LS to the luxurious High Country, the Suburban offered a range of features, including automatic windshield wipers, LED lighting, and tinted windows. While the interior provided comfort and space, even the top-tier trims felt somewhat pedestrian, with options like power running-board steps and a panoramic moonroof available at an additional cost.

In contrast, the 2025 Mazda CX-90 exuded a luxury SUV vibe with its lustrous paint, polished chrome trim, and intricate 21-inch wheels. The sculptural sheet metal created a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, contributing to its athletic appearance. Inside, the CX-90's interior was elegantly designed, featuring polished metallic trim, Nappa leather with contrast stitching, and clearly marked switchgear. However, the ergonomics left something to be desired, with a confusing electronic shifter and a non-touchscreen Mazda Connect infotainment system. Despite these drawbacks, the CX-90 stood out among midsize three-row crossover SUVs for its sophistication and premium feel.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine options: two V8s and a straight-six diesel. The standard 5.3-litre V8 engine, found in most trims, delivered 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, allowing for a towing capacity of up to 3,765 kilograms 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 3.0-litre turbodiesel six-cylinder, with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, excelled in fuel economy and towing capabilities. The Suburban's 10-speed automatic transmission was well-tuned, and the vehicle's size was manageable thanks to its responsive steering and brakes. However, its electronic button-style shift mechanism might not appeal to everyone.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 featured a turbocharged 3.3-litre inline-six engine, available in standard and high-output versions. The standard-output engine produced 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, while the high-output version delivered 319 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The CX-90's eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel-drive system aimed to enhance driving dynamics. With a maximum towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms, the CX-90 offered various driving modes, including Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing. However, the drivetrain lacked refinement, with unpredictable power delivery and transmission behaviour, especially when cold. Despite these issues, the CX-90's ride and handling impressed, offering a firm and communicative driving experience.

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 ample storage capacity. The Suburban's 106-litre fuel tank, combined with the diesel engine's efficiency, allowed for long highway drives between fill-ups.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90, in Signature trim, featured Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and a panoramic sunroof. However, the three-zone climate control system struggled to cool the cabin quickly. The CX-90's interior offered comfortable seating, but the long rear doors and limited seat-track travel posed challenges for loading children and rear-facing child seats. Cargo space behind the third row measured 451 litres, expanding to 1,155 litres with the third row folded and 2,129 litres with the second row flattened, which was smaller than some competitors.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban's infotainment system featured a 10.2-inch touchscreen, standard on most trims, with Google Built-in for seamless access to apps like Google Maps and Google Assistant. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were included, and a rear-seat entertainment system was available as an option. However, the 10-speaker Bose audio system lacked the richness of higher-end systems.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's technology was presented in a traditional manner, with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and infotainment screen. The infotainment system was touch-sensitive only when using wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, requiring the use of a knob and buttons for the native Mazda Connect platform. The 12-speaker Bose audio system provided a rewarding listening experience, and the Active Driving Display offered helpful information. However, the voice recognition system fell short of modern expectations.

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, lane-keeping assist, and more. Higher trims offered Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous driving technology.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings in NHTSA crash tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Higher trims added advanced features like steering assist, emergency lane-keeping assist, and a surround-view camera system. The CX-90's driver aids generally met expectations, though some features, like speed reduction, could be irritating.