2024 Genesis GV80 vs 2024 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2024 Genesis GV80 presented itself as a luxury SUV with a choice between two engines: the 2.5T turbocharged four-cylinder and the 3.5T twin-turbocharged V6. In Canada, both engines were available with the Advanced trim, while the Prestige trim was exclusive to the V6. The pricing ranged from $76,000 to $92,500, and Genesis offered an all-inclusive, no-haggle pricing model that included five years of scheduled maintenance and at-home concierge service. The GV80 3.5T test vehicle arrived in the U.S. Prestige Signature trim, which was not available in Canada, suggesting that the Canadian market might not miss out on much by opting for the regular Prestige trim.

The GV80's Prestige trim offered six exterior colours and a variety of 22-inch wheel designs. Inside, the SUV featured diamond-stitched Nappa leather, a suede headliner, and metallic-finish accents, exuding luxury. Ambient lighting, a 3D digital instrument cluster, and a wide touchscreen display for the infotainment system underscored its flagship status. Despite its luxurious appeal, the GV80's seat comfort was a point of contention, with the diamond-stitched surfaces feeling like bubble wrap, leading to discomfort on long trips.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban, a long-standing name in the automotive world, was known for its massive size and practicality. At 5,733 millimetres in length and 1,923 millimetres in height, it was a behemoth on the road, blending into traffic despite its size. The Suburban was available in six trims: LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premier, and High Country, each offering a range of features. The base LS trim came with 18-inch alloy wheels, while the top-tier High Country rode on 22-inch alloys. However, even the top trims required additional costs for features like power running-board steps and a panoramic power moonroof.

Inside, the Suburban offered a spacious cabin with standard cloth seats on the LS trim and leather upholstery on higher trims. The Premier and High Country trims could be fitted with luxurious brown leather interiors. The test vehicle featured a heated steering wheel, tri-zone automatic climate control, and supportive seats, though they were not as comfortable as expected for long journeys. The Suburban's interior, while functional, felt somewhat pedestrian, lacking the premium feel one might expect from a top-spec model.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 offered two engine options: a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine delivering 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a standard all-wheel-drive system. The GV80 3.5T, with its more powerful engine, provided a satisfying performance but was thirsty on the road, with observed fuel consumption of 13.7 litres per 100 kilometres. The GV80 offered five driving modes and was capable of towing up to 2,720 kilograms. The 3.5T model included upgraded front brakes and an adaptive damping suspension, contributing to its unexpectedly rewarding driving experience.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban came with 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 the most common engine, offering a towing capacity of up to 3,765 kilograms with the Max Trailering Package. The 6.2-litre V8 provided effortless acceleration, while the diesel engine offered better fuel economy and was available at no extra cost on the High Country trim. The Suburban's 10-speed automatic transmission was well-tuned, and the vehicle's size was manageable, thanks to its height-adjustable air suspension and well-calibrated steering and brakes.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 3.5T Prestige was the only model offering a third-row seat. Depending on the trim, the GV80 featured real or Nappa leather, with standard features including heated and ventilated front seats, heated outboard rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, triple-zone climate control, and a power hands-free liftgate. The Prestige trim added ventilation to the rear seats and power-operated side window shades. However, the GV80's seats were uncomfortable for long trips, and the rear seats didn't recline far enough for a relaxing ride. The GV80 offered 988 litres of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 2,378 litres with the back seats folded down.

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 with all seats down. This made it a top choice for those needing ample cargo capacity. The Suburban's 106-litre fuel tank, combined with the diesel engine's fuel efficiency, allowed for long highway drives between fill-ups. The Suburban's interior was spacious, accommodating up to seven passengers comfortably, making it ideal for family road trips.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display, though its placement made the centre console's control dial more practical for use. The standard infotainment package included a navigation system, SiriusXM satellite radio, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GV80 also offered Genesis Connected Services, wireless smartphone charging, and a digital key system. The Prestige trim included a Lexicon premium sound system and a head-up display, enhancing the driving experience with advanced technology.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban came with a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, standard on all but the base LS trim. The system featured Google Built-in, allowing access to Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play Store without needing a phone. 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, making it less appealing to audiophiles.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 was equipped with numerous advanced driving-assistance systems, including a Blind-Spot View Monitor, Remote Smart Parking Assist, and Highway Driving Assist. The GV80 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it earned four stars in the frontal-impact test.

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. The Suburban included standard safety features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims offered additional features like rear cross-traffic alert and Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous driving technology.