Chevrolet Suburban vs Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was priced at just over $50,000 for the base Hybrid LE, with the Limited trim reaching $61,800 in Canada. It featured minimal appearance changes, with a new Cypress Green paint colour being the most notable update. The Highlander Hybrid's design was described as over-styled, with exaggerated forms and a lack of subtlety both inside and out. The interior was criticized for its mismatched textures, reflections, and a lack of quality in materials and controls. Despite these drawbacks, the Highlander Hybrid was noted for its quiet ride on the road.

In contrast, the 2024 Chevrolet Suburban maintained its status as a long-standing automotive institution with its massive dimensions. Measuring 5,733 millimetres in length and 1,923 millimetres in height, the Suburban was not for everyone, especially in urban areas. However, it catered to those needing ample cargo and passenger space. The Suburban was available in six trims, with features improving as you moved up the ladder. The interior offered comfort and space, with leather upholstery standard on most trims. Despite its size, the Suburban's interior felt somewhat pedestrian, though it provided essential amenities like a heated steering wheel and tri-zone climate control.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with two electric motor-generators, delivering 243 combined horsepower. It featured standard all-wheel drive (AWD) and regenerative brakes to assist with battery charging. While the Highlander Hybrid could tow up to 1,588 kilograms, its high-speed passing power was limited due to the gas engine's 175 pound-feet of torque. The SUV offered Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with a Trail mode for light off-road use. Fuel economy was a focus, with a Predictive Efficient Drive system, though real-world results were slightly higher than expected at 8.2 L/100 km.

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 diesel engine provided better fuel economy and was available at no extra cost on the High Country trim. The Suburban's 10-speed automatic transmission was well-tuned, and the vehicle's size was manageable thanks to its steering and brakes. The Suburban's towing capacity reached up to 3,765 kilograms with the 5.3-litre V8 and Max Trailering Package.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid accommodated seven or eight passengers, with most models featuring second-row captain's chairs. The third-row seat was best for occasional use, and accessing it was challenging. The interior offered standard three-zone climate control and heated front seats, with additional features like a heated steering wheel and ventilated seats in higher trims. Cargo space was practical, with 453 litres behind the third row and up to 2,387 litres with the second-row seats folded. However, some storage areas were unlined, and the centre console design was unnecessarily complex.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, offering 1,175 litres behind the third row, 2,656 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 4,097 litres. This made it a top choice for those needing ample storage capacity. The Suburban's 106-litre fuel tank allowed for extended highway driving, especially with the diesel engine's efficiency. The SUV's interior was spacious, with comfortable seating for long trips and practical features like a rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid introduced new technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment systems. The Limited trim featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen with over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Drive Connect service plan offered additional features like an Intelligent Assistant and cloud-based navigation. The test vehicle included a head-up display and an 11-speaker JBL sound system, though the graphics could be improved for better visibility.

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 fidelity but lacked the richness of higher-end systems. Overall, the Suburban's infotainment system was user-friendly, though it lacked the latest updates expected in future models.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, offering a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). These included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, with additional features like parking sensors and a surround-view camera on higher trims. The Highlander Hybrid received excellent crash-test ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

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. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and more. Higher trims offered additional ADAS like rear cross-traffic alert and Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous driving system available with a subscription.