2024 Toyota 4Runner vs 2024 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner was a nostalgic nod to the past, with its design largely unchanged since its 2010 redesign. While it had undergone minor updates, the midsize SUV retained a boxy shape that was both classic and appropriate for its all-terrain capabilities. The flared fenders and rugged grille design gave it a robust appearance, further enhanced by the TRD Pro's underbody skid plates and all-terrain tires. Inside, the 4Runner showed its age with an analog instrument panel and an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen that seemed outdated compared to modern vehicles. The interior featured hard plastics, but cushioned panels on commonly touched surfaces provided some comfort. Despite its dated look, the 4Runner's design was functional, with excellent outward visibility and ample space for passengers and cargo.

In contrast, the 2024 Chevrolet Suburban was a long-standing icon in the automotive world, known for its massive size and practicality. Its imposing dimensions made it a staple on highways, offering substantial cargo and passenger space. The Suburban was available in six trims, each offering varying levels of luxury and features. The interior was spacious, with leather upholstery standard on most trims and options for heated and ventilated seats. Despite its size, the Suburban's interior felt somewhat pedestrian, lacking the premium feel expected at higher trim levels. However, it excelled in cargo capacity, with up to 4,097 litres of space available, making it ideal for families and road trips.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a 4.0-litre V6 engine, delivering 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. While these figures were comparable to competitors like the Bronco and Wrangler, the 4Runner's five-speed automatic transmission limited its performance. The TRD Pro model featured standard four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case, making it capable off-road. However, on pavement, the 4Runner felt sluggish, with noticeable rear-end squat during acceleration and a loud engine noise. The soft suspension, while beneficial for off-roading, resulted in body roll and floatiness on highways. Despite these drawbacks, the 4Runner remained composed under hard braking and offered a comfortable ride over larger road imperfections.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine options: a 5.3-litre V8 with 355 horsepower, a 6.2-litre V8 with 420 horsepower, and a 3.0-litre turbodiesel six-cylinder with 277 horsepower. The 5.3-litre V8 was the most common, providing ample power and a towing capacity of up to 3,765 kilograms with the Max Trailering Package. The 6.2-litre V8 offered more effortless acceleration, while the diesel engine delivered better fuel economy and impressive torque. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth shifts and responsive performance. The Suburban's size was noticeable, but its steering and brakes were well-suited to the task, and the height-adjustable air suspension handled rough roads with ease.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior was functional but dated, with large climate-control dials and sturdy handles for off-road adventures. The front seats offered ample space, though the steering wheel's limited telescoping range could be an issue for taller drivers. The second row provided generous legroom, but headroom was limited due to the elevated bench height. The 4Runner offered up to 2,540 litres of cargo space with the rear seats stowed, though accessing the seats required manual effort. The sliding glass rear window and hitch receiver added convenience, while the 5,000-pound towing capacity was suitable for small campers.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, offering 1,175 litres behind the third row and up to 4,097 litres with all seats folded. This made it a top choice for families needing ample storage for road trips. The Suburban's 106-litre fuel tank allowed for long-distance travel, especially with the diesel engine's fuel efficiency. The interior featured leather upholstery on most trims, with options for heated and ventilated seats. Despite its size, the Suburban's interior felt somewhat basic, lacking the premium feel expected at higher trim levels.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's infotainment system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the eight-inch touchscreen was small and challenging to use while driving. The TRD Pro model featured a 15-speaker JBL audio system, though road noise often obscured the sound quality. Additional terrain controls were available, but their pictogram labels required consulting the owner's manual for full understanding. The 4Runner's technology was functional but lacked the modern features found in competitors.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban featured a 10.2-inch touchscreen on most trims, with Google Built-in providing access to essential apps without phone pairing. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were included, and a rear-seat entertainment system was available as an option. The 10-speaker Bose audio system offered good sound quality but lacked the richness of higher-end systems. Overall, the Suburban's infotainment system was user-friendly, though not as advanced as expected for its size.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with four out of five stars from NHTSA for overall and frontal crash protection. It scored five stars for side impacts but only three stars in rollover evaluations. The IIHS gave it "Good" ratings for moderate frontal overlap and side protection tests, but "Marginal" and "Poor" results in the small overlap frontal test. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-departure warning, though the system's sensitivity could be adjusted.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban also received four out of five stars from NHTSA for overall crash safety, with four stars in frontal crash tests and five in side-crash tests. Standard safety features included 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 system. The Suburban's safety features were comprehensive, though its size required cautious driving.