2024 Subaru Outback vs 2024 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2024 Subaru Outback maintained its familiar aesthetic, with the Wilderness trim receiving a subtle update featuring a new front fascia and LED fog lights. The dark gray cladding provided a striking contrast to the Autumn Green Metallic color of the Outback Touring XT, which was described as a "green-tinged dark khaki." The Outback's various trims offered different levels of black and chrome exterior fittings, with the Touring trim showcasing the most chrome, which was tastefully executed. Wheel designs varied across trims, with standard black 17-inch alloy wheels and a matte black version for the Wilderness trim. The interior of the top-trim test car was notably upscale, featuring Java Brown Nappa leather upholstery, which was both attractive and comfortable. Other trims offered a mix of leather and synthetic leather options, with cloth seats available on the base and Premium trims.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban, a long-standing name in the automotive world, continued to blend into traffic despite its massive size. Measuring 18 feet 10 inches in length and over six feet in height, the Suburban was not for everyone, especially those in urban areas. However, it catered to those needing ample cargo and passenger space, as well as towing capacity. The Suburban was available in six trims, each offering a range of features, from automatic windshield wipers to LED headlights. The top-tier High Country trim rode on 22-inch alloy wheels, but even at this level, some features like power running-board steps and a panoramic power moonroof were optional. Inside, the Suburban provided a comfortable cabin with leather upholstery on all but the base trim, and the Premier and High Country trims offered luxurious brown leather interiors. Despite these features, the interior felt somewhat pedestrian, with supportive but not overly comfortable seats.

The 2024 Subaru Outback was powered by a "Boxer" horizontally opposed engine, with the base model featuring a 2.5-liter flat-four engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. The XT trims, including the Wilderness, were equipped with a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, increasing the towing capacity to 3,500 lbs. The Touring XT test car's turbo engine provided a better driving experience compared to the base engine, with the CVT mimicking the feel of eight distinct gears. The Outback's suspension and ground clearance, especially in the Wilderness trim, made it a suitable choice for off-road adventures.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine options: a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, and a Duramax 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder with 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. The diesel engine provided better fuel economy and was available at a lower cost on the High Country trim. The Suburban's 10-speed automatic transmission was well-tuned, and the vehicle's size was managed effectively with its steering and brakes. The Suburban's air suspension handled rough roads well, but drivers needed to be mindful of its size and weight.

The 2024 Subaru Outback offered impressive interior space despite its sleek design. It provided more headroom and legroom than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The cargo area measured 32.6 cubic feet with all seats in place and 75.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Outback featured dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver's seat on most trims. The hands-free power liftgate and power moonroof were available on higher trims, and the vehicle's roof rails with retractable cross bars added practicality.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, with 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 93.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 144.7 cubic feet. This made it a top choice for those needing ample storage capacity. The Suburban's 28-gallon fuel tank allowed for long-distance travel, especially with the diesel engine's fuel efficiency. The vehicle's size and cargo capacity made it ideal for family road trips and towing needs.

The 2024 Subaru Outback offered a mix of old-school and modern technology, with a CD player on the Touring trim and both USB-C and USB-A ports on most trims. The top-trim test car featured an 11.6-inch infotainment screen, while the base trim had dual 7-inch screens. The Subaru Starlink multimedia platform included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, with wireless options starting from the Premium trim. The vehicle also offered Wi-Fi capability, Bluetooth, HD Radio, and a Harman Kardon audio system on most trims.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban's infotainment system featured a 10.2-inch touchscreen on all but the base trim, which had an 8-inch screen. The system included Google Built-in, allowing access to Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play Store. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard, and a rear-seat entertainment system was available as an option. The Suburban's 10-speaker Bose audio system provided good sound quality, but it lacked the richness of higher speaker count systems.

The 2024 Subaru Outback earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The vehicle came with the EyeSight suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. Reverse automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring were standard on higher trims, and the Touring trim featured a wide-angle camera and driver-attention monitor.

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 like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Premier and High Country trims offered Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous driving system, as an option.