Chevrolet Suburban vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2026 Chevrolet Suburban continued to uphold its legacy as a dominant force in the SUV segment. With its roots tracing back to 1935, the Suburban maintained its iconic status by offering a blend of tradition and modernity. For 2026, Chevrolet introduced cosmetic updates, including a new Polar White Tricoat paint option and 22-inch bright split-spoke wheels. The RST Dark Essentials Package added a more aggressive aesthetic with 24-inch black wheels and black accents. Despite these changes, the Suburban's driving dynamics remained unchanged, offering a familiar experience for returning customers. The LS trim, which was evaluated, presented a restrained exterior with body-colour bumpers and chrome trim, while higher trims like the RST and Z71 leaned into sportier and off-road aesthetics, respectively. The Suburban's imposing size was both a challenge and an advantage, with its 5,748-millimetre length making city driving demanding but excelling on open roads.

Inside, the LS trim of the Suburban retained an old-school SUV feel, lacking advanced tech like Super Cruise, which was reserved for higher trims. However, the cabin was far from basic, featuring a 17.7-inch touchscreen and physical climate control buttons, offering a user-friendly interface. The Suburban's size translated into a spacious interior, accommodating up to nine passengers with various seating configurations. The cargo space was impressive, with up to 4,092 litres available when all seats were folded, surpassing competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica. The Suburban's combination of towing capacity, cargo volume, and seating flexibility made it a compelling choice for those prioritizing space and utility.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered a different approach, focusing on efficiency and practicality. Available with a standard turbocharged gas engine, a hybrid powertrain, and the powerful Hybrid Max configuration, the Grand Highlander catered to a range of preferences. The Hybrid Max, with its 362 horsepower and full-time AWD, provided a satisfying balance of performance and efficiency. The Platinum Hybrid Max trim, evaluated in Storm Cloud paint, showcased Toyota's conservative styling, reminiscent of the popular RAV4. The interior emphasized function over form, with a mix of leather and artificial suede upholstery in the Platinum trim, offering a touch of luxury. The Grand Highlander's spacious interior accommodated up to eight passengers, with a maximum cargo capacity of over 2,700 litres, making it a practical choice for families.

The Grand Highlander's performance was highlighted by its Hybrid Max powertrain, which combined a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine with two electric motors, delivering 362 horsepower. The six-speed automatic transmission avoided the droning typical of CVTs, providing a smooth driving experience. While the Hybrid Max offered impressive acceleration and towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms, it came with a fuel economy trade-off, averaging 9.1 L/100 km in mixed driving conditions. The Grand Highlander's ride quality was soft and isolating, though it exhibited some vertical bounding on uneven surfaces. The handling was secure, with excellent outward visibility aided by available camera systems, though the front camera's frequent screen takeover was noted as a minor annoyance.

The 2026 Chevrolet Suburban retained its truck-like driving characteristics, powered by a standard 5.3-litre V8 engine producing 355 horsepower. For those seeking more power, a 6.2-litre V8 offered 420 horsepower, while a 3.0-litre Duramax diesel provided impressive fuel efficiency, burning as little as 8.9 L/100 km on the highway. The Suburban's towing capacity was a standout feature, with the ability to tow up to 3,810 kilograms when properly equipped. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, which generally shifted smoothly, though occasional gear indecision was noted on steep inclines. The Suburban's size was well-managed on the road, with light steering effort and a composed highway ride, though the absence of Magnetic Ride Control in the LS trim was noticeable.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max emphasized performance with its turbocharged 2.4-litre engine and electronic full-time AWD, delivering 362 horsepower. The Hybrid Max's six-speed automatic transmission avoided the droning of CVTs, providing a satisfying driving experience. While the Hybrid Max offered impressive acceleration and towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms, it came with a fuel economy trade-off, averaging 9.1 L/100 km in mixed driving conditions. The Grand Highlander's ride quality was soft and isolating, though it exhibited some vertical bounding on uneven surfaces. The handling was secure, with excellent outward visibility aided by available camera systems, though the front camera's frequent screen takeover was noted as a minor annoyance.

The 2026 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in interior space, offering 1,175 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,656 litres with the third row folded, and a massive 4,092 litres with all seats down. This made it a top choice for those prioritizing cargo capacity. The Suburban's seating flexibility allowed for up to nine passengers, with options for captain's chairs in the second row for added comfort. The power-folding third row and cargo tie-down anchors enhanced usability, making the Suburban a practical choice for families and adventurers alike.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered comfortable seating in all three rows, with a maximum cargo capacity of over 2,700 litres. The Platinum trim featured a mix of leather and artificial suede upholstery, adding a touch of luxury. The Grand Highlander's interior was designed with practicality in mind, though some storage areas were unlined, potentially contributing to noise. The second-row captain's chairs with a removable centre console provided flexibility, while the third row offered reasonable comfort for adults. The Grand Highlander's cargo space was commendable, with 586 litres behind the third row and 2,761 litres with all seats folded, nearly matching the capacity of a minivan.

The 2026 Chevrolet Suburban featured a 17.7-inch touchscreen as the centrepiece of its cabin, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Google Built-In for seamless integration. An 11-inch driver information display and an available head-up display provided additional information for the driver. While adaptive cruise control was standard, Super Cruise was reserved for higher trims. The available Bose stereo offered an upgrade over the standard system, though it lagged behind some premium rivals.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. The system was user-friendly, though the inability to view multiple main-menu screens simultaneously was a minor drawback. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to commands, enhancing the overall experience. The Platinum trim included a colour head-up display, a camera-based digital rear-view mirror, and a JBL premium audio system, delivering impressive sound quality.

The 2026 Chevrolet Suburban received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though updated IIHS crash test results were unavailable. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, pedestrian and bicycle detection, and a surround-view camera system. Trailer sway control was also standard, catering to the Suburban's towing capabilities. While the absence of updated IIHS data was noted, the Suburban's strong feature set provided reassurance to safety-conscious buyers.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control. Proactive Driving Assist was also standard, though it was found to be irritating in some situations. The Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but fell short of the IIHS Top Safety Pick due to "Acceptable" ratings for headlight performance and small overlap frontal-impact protection. The camera system's frequent screen takeover was noted as a minor annoyance.