2021 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban featured a bold front-end design that divided opinions. Its styling borrowed elements from the Camaro, with small headlights and large grilles that didn't always complement its massive frame. Despite these exterior challenges, the interior maintained a familiar layout with controls in intuitive locations. The High Country trim, which we tested, offered upscale features but lacked the soft-touch materials expected in a luxury SUV, resembling more of an upscale pickup.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid presented a sharp, streamlined profile that was both distinct and familiar. Its design hadn't changed much over the years, maintaining a sporty appearance with elements like a large mesh grille and dark-finish wheels. Inside, the NX Hybrid's design felt radical at its debut but had become familiar. The interior featured sporty elements like aluminum pedals and contrast stitching, though material quality leaned more towards mainstream than luxury.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban offered a range of powerful engines, including a standard 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower and a 6.2-liter V8 producing 420 hp. Our test model featured a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel engine with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, providing impressive torque and smooth acceleration. The Suburban's independent rear suspension improved ride quality, though it still exhibited some truck-like handling characteristics.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, delivering a total of 194 horsepower. Despite its sporty appearance, the NX Hybrid prioritized fuel efficiency over performance, with a 0-60 mph time of 9.1 seconds. The sport-tuned suspension enhanced handling, but the steering felt numb, and the drivetrain struggled with quick acceleration demands. Drive modes offered minimal impact on performance.

The Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, offering 144.7 cubic feet with rear seats folded. Even with the second row in use, it provided 93.8 cubic feet, making it ideal for road trips. Passengers enjoyed ample head- and legroom, with a commanding view of the road. The control layout was user-friendly, though the button shifter and power-sliding center console were less intuitive.

The Lexus NX Hybrid had limited interior space, with the least front headroom in its segment and cramped rear seats. However, the front seats offered excellent support, and the dashboard controls were easily accessible. Cargo space was limited, with 16.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 53.7 cubic feet with them folded. The NX Hybrid's sporty design impacted visibility, though exterior mirrors helped compensate.

The Suburban featured a 10.2-inch touchscreen with an intuitive infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The available head-up display and rear entertainment system added convenience, though navigation was optional.

The Lexus NX Hybrid's infotainment system was a weak point, with an 8-inch display and a challenging Remote Touch Interface touchpad. While it supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the system felt dated, and the base audio system lacked quality. Higher trims offered a 14-speaker Mark Levinson system.

The Suburban came with standard safety features like automatic emergency braking and forward-collision avoidance. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. Unique options like the rear-view camera mirror and Safety Alert Seat added value.

The Lexus NX Hybrid earned a “Top Safety Pick+” from IIHS and a five-star NHTSA rating. It included the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 with features like adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, though a 360-degree camera system was absent.