2025 Lincoln Aviator vs 2025 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator, built on a rear-wheel-drive platform shared with the Ford Explorer, showcased classic design proportions with a blunt nose, short front overhang, and a sleek dash-to-axle ratio. Its tapered roofline and greenhouse added to its allure, though they compromised third-row passenger space. The Aviator's design leaned more towards a sports wagon aesthetic, but the 2025 styling updates, particularly with the optional Jet Appearance Package, seemed less elegant and more generic. Inside, the Aviator offered a plush interior with a classic architectural sensibility, avoiding the screen-heavy approach of other Lincoln models. However, the remote keyless entry fob was a letdown, made of cheap plastic and oversized, though it encouraged the use of the Aviator's Phone as a Key technology.

In contrast, the 2025 Chevrolet Suburban maintained its iconic status in the full-size SUV market, with a restyled exterior that balanced modern updates with its recognizable profile. The new front fascia and rear end, along with updated lighting signatures, added a dramatic touch without alienating loyal customers. The Suburban's interior saw significant upgrades, with a more sophisticated dash and a new 17.7-inch touchscreen display, replacing the outdated 10.2-inch screen. The steering wheel and shifter also received modern updates, though the steering wheel's user-friendliness slightly declined. Despite these changes, the Suburban retained its reputation for spaciousness and capability, appealing to families and those needing substantial cargo and towing capacity.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission. It offered various driving modes, including Excite, Conserve, Normal, Slippery, and Deep Conditions, with an optional adaptive air suspension enhancing the ride in Excite mode. Despite its power, the Aviator prioritized comfort over excitement, with a focus on a composed and calming driving experience. The SUV's fuel economy was rated at 11.9 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, though real-world testing showed a less impressive 13.3 L/100 km. The Aviator's ride quality was generally pleasant, but the 22-inch wheels and thin tires struggled with rough surfaces, generating noticeable road noise.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban offered a choice of engines, starting with a 5.3-litre V8 producing 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. The 6.2-litre V8, available on higher trims, delivered 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, while the turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six Duramax diesel engine, upgraded for 2025, offered 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque. The diesel engine was particularly impressive, providing smooth and quiet performance with excellent fuel economy. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and the Suburban's steering was surprisingly light for its size. The available Magnetic Ride Control suspension, standard on higher trims, improved ride quality, though the optional 24-inch wheels were harsh on rough roads.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator offered luxurious comfort with its Perfect Position front seats, featuring 30-way adjustability, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs were also comfortable, though less adjustable, and the quad-zone climate control ensured personalized comfort for all passengers. However, the third-row seats were less accommodating, with limited legroom and low, flat cushions. The Aviator excelled in storage space, with a well-organized centre console and deep door pockets. Cargo capacity was generous, with 466 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,131 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 2,149 litres.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban boasted immense interior space, accommodating up to six passengers with its three-across front row option. It offered 1,175 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,656 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 4,092 litres with all seats down. The Suburban's towing capacity was impressive, with the 5.3-litre V8 and Max Trailering Package allowing up to 3,765 kilograms. The diesel engine provided excellent fuel economy, with a range of nearly 1,000 kilometres on a single tank, making it ideal for long-distance travel.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator featured a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system powered by Lincoln Digital Experience. It included Google Built-in and Alexa Built-in, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the Google Assistant struggled with voice commands in the test vehicle, though Apple CarPlay and Siri worked well. The Aviator's 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D sound system delivered excellent audio quality, and the head-up display provided valuable information, including lane departure warnings and blind-spot alerts.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban addressed previous technology shortcomings with a new 17.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by an 11-inch driver information display and an available 15-inch head-up display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with Google Built-in, offering seamless integration of Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Play Store. While the user interface was attractive, the user experience had a learning curve, particularly with the driver information display and steering wheel controls. The top-range Bose stereo was decent but not exceptional compared to competitors.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator came equipped with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0, offering a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems. Notable features included active blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, intersection assist, evasive steering assist, and reverse braking assist. BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assistance system, was standard, providing a proactive approach to driver control. The Aviator received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and Good ratings from the IIHS, indicating strong safety performance.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review, but the 2024 model received four out of five stars in overall crash safety. The Suburban included a robust list of standard ADAS features, such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian and bicycle braking, and a surround-view camera. GM's Super Cruise hands-free driving technology was available on most trims, though not immediately at launch.