2022 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid initially presented a bold and distinctive design that, over time, became more familiar and less striking. Its blunt and bulbous nose, combined with black windshield pillars, gave it a unique appearance, though the cartoonishly-flared quarter panels could overwhelm the design. The Highlander Hybrid was available in LE, XLE, Limited, or Platinum trims, with pricing ranging from $38,410 to $48,365, plus destination charges. The interior offered an upscale two-tone look with soft leather for Limited and Platinum trims, though the instrument-panel shroud felt cheap. The 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system was prone to reflections, and the mix of illumination colors gave the gauges a busy appearance.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban adopted Chevrolet's full-size truck design language, giving it a supersized appearance with a tall hood and large wheels. Available in six trims, the Suburban offered customization options, with our RST test vehicle featuring a Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior and 22-inch wheels. Inside, the Suburban provided a spacious cabin with leather seats standard from the LT trim. The RST's cabin, while comfortable, felt dark due to the predominantly black interior. The Suburban's size made it challenging to maneuver in tight spaces, but its spaciousness and practicality were undeniable.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid transitioned from a V6 engine to a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, offering 243 horsepower and an EPA rating of 36 mpg in combined driving. While the new engine improved fuel efficiency, it lacked the power and driving dynamics of its predecessor. The Highlander Hybrid's steering was lifeless, and the drivetrain sounded strained during acceleration. Despite its improved regenerative brakes, the SUV's ride and handling were marred by unwanted body movement. On smooth roads, it handled well, but on uneven surfaces, it became a sloppy mess. The Highlander Hybrid excelled in fuel efficiency but was not enjoyable to drive.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine choices: a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower, and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-six with 277 horsepower. The 6.2-liter V8, part of the Sport Performance package, provided effortless power and acceleration, making it ideal for towing. The Suburban's independent rear suspension improved ride and handling, while its towing capacity reached 8,300 pounds. The 10-speed automatic transmission with electronic shift control enhanced the driving experience, and the Suburban's performance was impressive, especially with the larger V8 engine.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid offered comfortable accommodations for the driver and front passenger, with 10-way power seat adjustment for the driver. The second-row bench seat increased seating capacity to eight but felt narrow for three adults. The third-row seat was uncomfortable, with limited legroom and headroom. Cargo space measured 16 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 84.3 cubic feet with seats folded. Storage was adequate but not as generous as the previous generation, and the wireless smartphone charger blocked access to the storage area.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in space, accommodating up to nine occupants with the optional front-row bench seat. The third row offered adequate headroom and legroom, and access was excellent. Cargo space was generous, with 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row and 144.7 cubic feet with seats folded. The power-sliding center console provided additional storage, and the Suburban's size made it practical for carrying passengers and cargo. However, its size made it challenging to maneuver and park in tight spaces, and the electronic push-button transmission controls required adjustment for those used to a column-mounted shifter.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came equipped with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa connectivity. The top infotainment system featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, an 11-speaker JBL audio system, and a navigation system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large stereo volume and tuning knobs. The JBL sound system, however, sounded boomy and muddy with bass-heavy music. Toyota's Driver Easy Speak technology projected the driver's voice through the speakers, and a video rearview mirror provided an unobstructed view of the rear.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered advanced technology, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster standard on LT and above. Google built-in, including Google Maps and Google Assistant, was also standard on LT and above. The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System with an 8-inch touchscreen was standard on the LS, while a 10.2-inch system was standard on LT and above. Wireless device charging and a WiFi hotspot were standard across the board. The Suburban's audio system ranged from a basic six-speaker system to a premium Bose 10-speaker Surround system, with the mid-level nine-speaker Bose system providing decent sound quality.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which included intersection support and emergency steering assistance. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on LE trim and above. The adaptive cruise control occasionally felt uneven, and the lane-centering assistance system was overly sensitive. The Highlander received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it earned four stars for frontal-impact crash tests.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban came with Chevy Safety Assist, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and front pedestrian braking. For 2022, front park assist, lane-keeping assistance, and lane-departure warning were added as standard features. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. The Suburban received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four stars for front crash protection and five stars for side crash protection. The IIHS had not tested the current-generation Suburban.