Chrysler Pacifica vs Chevrolet Suburban

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica maintained its contemporary appeal despite not undergoing frequent redesigns. Its smooth exterior styling, with a modest grille, offered a refreshing alternative to the flashier Toyota Sienna and the SUV-like Kia Carnival. The Pacifica's design cleverly concealed sliding-door tracks, providing a clean look without the need for additional styling features, unlike the Honda Odyssey. Available in various trims, including the base Touring and the luxurious Pinnacle, the Pacifica featured standard LED lighting and offered wheel options up to 20 inches. The S Appearance and Road Tripper Packages added unique exterior and interior trims, enhancing its visual appeal.

Inside, the Pacifica's dashboard boasted a minimalist, sculpted design with well-integrated controls. The Pinnacle trim, with its luxurious brown Nappa leather upholstery and quilted stitching, stood out, although some interior elements felt less premium. The rotary shift knob was a quality touch, but its proximity to the volume knob could cause confusion. Overall, the Pacifica's interior was distinctive, offering a blend of luxury and practicality.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban, a staple in the full-size SUV market, continued to build on its strong brand equity. With a restyled front fascia and rear end, the Suburban maintained its recognizable profile while incorporating modern lighting signatures. The trim lineup remained consistent, with options ranging from the base LS to the luxurious High Country. The introduction of 24-inch wheels on select trims added a bold statement, although they were not without drawbacks.

Inside, the 2025 Suburban saw significant upgrades, particularly in its dashboard design. The outdated HVAC controls were replaced with more sophisticated air vents, and the electronic shifter buttons were swapped for a column shifter. The highlight was the new 17.7-inch touchscreen display, a major improvement over the previous model's smaller screens. Despite some challenges with the steering wheel's user interface, the Suburban's interior enhancements elevated its overall appeal, making it a more refined choice for families seeking space and comfort.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica was powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine, delivering 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on select trims. The Pacifica's V6, known as the Pentastar, provided peppy acceleration and a towing capacity of 1,632 kilograms. Its chassis tuning prioritized comfort and stability, although some weight transfer was noticeable during acceleration and deceleration.

In contrast, the 2025 Chevrolet Suburban offered a choice of engines, starting with a 5.3-litre V8 producing 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. The 6.2-litre V8, available on higher trims, delivered 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The Suburban also featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six Duramax diesel engine, which saw a power increase to 305 horsepower and 495 pound-feet of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission paired with each engine, providing smooth handling. The Suburban's steering was surprisingly light, but the brake pedal required some adjustment. The Magnetic Ride Control suspension, standard on higher trims, offered a softer ride, while the optional adjustable air suspension further enhanced comfort.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica excelled in interior space, thanks to its Stow 'n Go seating system, which allowed second-row seats to fold flat into the floor. This feature provided ample storage options, although it required strategic option choices. The Pacifica offered seven seats with standard second-row bucket seats and a 60/40 split-folding third-row bench. Passenger space was competitive, with generous headroom and legroom across all rows. Cargo capacity was impressive, with up to 3,978 litres available with seats folded. The Stow 'n Vac built-in vacuum cleaner was a convenient addition, although the centre console storage was less accessible.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban, known for its spaciousness, offered seating for up to six passengers with the three-across front row option. Cargo capacity was unmatched, with 1,175 litres behind the third row, expanding to 4,092 litres with all seats folded. The Suburban's towing capacity reached 3,765 kilograms with the Max Trailering Package. The diesel engine provided excellent fuel economy, allowing for nearly 1,000 kilometres of highway driving on a single tank. The Suburban's size and capabilities made it an ideal choice for families with multiple children or pets.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The system was intuitive, although a shortcut for the 360-degree camera view would have been appreciated. The Uconnect Theatre system provided rear-seat entertainment with dual 10.1-inch touchscreens, wireless headphones, and Amazon Fire TV connectivity. The FamCam interior camera allowed parents to monitor rear-seat occupants, although an intercom system was absent.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban addressed previous technology shortcomings with a new 17.7-inch touchscreen, complemented by an 11-inch driver information display and an available 15-inch head-up display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, alongside Google Built-in for seamless integration of Google services. While the user interface was visually appealing, some aspects, like customizing the driver information display, were less intuitive. Physical buttons for essential functions remained, providing a balance between modern tech and user-friendly controls.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with high scores in frontal and side crash tests. The IIHS named it a 2023 Top Safety Pick, although it missed the highest award due to certain test results. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, and adaptive cruise control, with optional 360-degree camera and park assist systems.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review. However, it offered a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a surround-view camera. GM's Super Cruise hands-free driving technology was available on most trims, although it would not be available at launch.