2024 Toyota Grand Highlander vs 2024 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was part of Toyota's extensive lineup of crossovers and SUVs, positioned between the Highlander and the Sequoia. Built on the TNGA-K platform, it shared its underpinnings with models like the RAV4 and Camry, distinguishing itself from the body-on-frame Sequoia. With a length of 5,115 millimetres and a wheelbase of 2,950 mm, it offered a spacious interior, larger than competitors like the Kia Telluride. Its design was conservative yet rugged, drawing inspiration from off-road vehicles like the 4Runner. The Grand Highlander was available in three trims: XLE, Limited, and Platinum, with interior options ranging from black Softex synthetic leather to real leather in higher trims. It featured a comfortable and well-built interior, making it an excellent choice for road trips.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban, with its 90-year legacy, was a staple on the roads, known for its massive size. Measuring 5,733 millimetres in length and 1,923 millimetres in height, it was designed for those needing ample cargo and passenger space. Available in six trims, from LS to High Country, it offered features like automatic windshield wipers and LED headlights. Higher trims boasted 22-inch alloy wheels and optional features like power running-board steps and a panoramic moonroof. Inside, the Suburban provided a comfortable cabin with leather upholstery in most trims. Despite its size, it offered a surprisingly pedestrian interior feel, with supportive seats and a heated steering wheel.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options. The base 2.4-litre turbo four-cylinder produced 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. A 2.5-litre hybrid option delivered 245 combined net horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. The top-tier Hybrid Max powertrain generated 362 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. All models in Canada came with all-wheel drive. The Grand Highlander was not a sports car, but the Hybrid Max provided impressive acceleration with a 0-60 time of 6.3 seconds. It featured three drive modes—Sport, Eco, and Normal—with additional off-road modes for gas-only and Hybrid Max models. The brakes were solid, and the steering, though somewhat numb, was manageable.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine choices: 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, 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 similar towing capabilities. The Suburban featured a 10-speed automatic transmission and came with rear-wheel drive on lower trims and four-wheel drive on higher ones. Its steering and brakes were well-suited for its size, and the air suspension handled rough roads effectively.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was larger than most of its rivals, with a length of over 5 metres and a wheelbase of 2,950 mm. It offered a total cargo capacity of 2,761 litres, with 1,640 litres behind the second row and 583 litres with all seats up. The spacious interior provided ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room, even in the third row, making it a comfortable choice for families.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, with 1,175 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,656 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 4,097 litres. It surpassed competitors like the Ford Expedition Max in carrying capacity. The Suburban was ideal for families needing space for road trips, with a 106-litre fuel tank allowing for long drives between fill-ups.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. An intelligent assistant and cloud-based navigation were available via subscription. The Limited and Platinum trims included an 11-speaker JBL stereo, providing a balanced audio experience.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban came with a 10.2-inch touchscreen on most trims, featuring Google Built-in for seamless access to apps like Google Maps. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard. A rear-seat entertainment system was optional, adding twin touchscreens. The 10-speaker Bose audio system, while good, lacked the richness of higher-end systems.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander had not been crash-tested but included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard, featuring automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control with four distance settings. The Platinum trim offered additional features like traffic jam assist.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban received a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, with four stars in frontal crashes and five in side crashes. It included standard safety features like forward collision warning and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims offered Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous driving system.