2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2021 Chevrolet Suburban

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 this, the interior retained a familiar layout, with controls in intuitive locations. The High Country trim, which we tested, offered upscale features but fell short of true luxury, with hard plastics and a less refined finish compared to competitors.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid adopted a rugged appearance with styling cues from the Tacoma. Its design included a trapezoidal grille and a character line that added visual weight. The interior was unconventional, with an asymmetrical dash and metallic accents. The Bronze Edition featured light grey fabric seats with a unique pattern, though the material was prone to dirt. The Highlander Hybrid's design was less cohesive than rivals, but it remained a popular choice for its hybrid efficiency.

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, delivering 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided impressive torque and smooth acceleration, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Suburban's independent rear suspension improved ride quality, though it still exhibited some truck-like handling characteristics.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine, producing 243 horsepower. It used a CVT and offered standard FWD, with optional AWD. The hybrid system provided a smooth start, with the gasoline engine kicking in for additional power. The ride was comfortable, with a soft suspension that handled bumps well. While not sporty, the Highlander Hybrid prioritized comfort and quietness, making it a suitable choice for families.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, offering 144.7 cubic feet with seats folded. Even with the second row in use, it provided 93.8 cubic feet. Passengers enjoyed ample head- and legroom, with spacious second-row captain's chairs. The control layout was user-friendly, though the button shifter and power-sliding center console were less intuitive.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid's front seats were comfortable, with plenty of storage options. The second row was spacious, accommodating taller passengers with ease. The third row was less accommodating, suitable for children or short trips. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 84.3 cubic feet with seats folded, which was average for its class.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban featured a 10.2-inch touchscreen with an intuitive infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. A navigation system and rear entertainment were available, along with a helpful head-up display.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came with an 8-inch touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch option for higher trims. The system was responsive, with physical shortcut buttons and climate controls. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa were standard, with navigation and a premium audio system available on higher trims.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision avoidance, and rear parking sensors. Optional features like adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available, though some competitors offered these as standard.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid received high safety ratings, with standard features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. It achieved a five-star NHTSA rating and was an IIHS Top Safety Pick+. Some systems required fine-tuning, but overall, it provided comprehensive safety features.