2025 Audi Q5 vs 2024 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban, a long-standing icon in the automotive world, continued to blend seamlessly into traffic despite its massive size. With a history spanning 90 years, the Suburban was a familiar sight on the roads, offering a substantial presence without being a novelty. Measuring nearly 19 feet in length and over six feet in height, it was not designed for urban environments but catered to those needing ample cargo and passenger space. Available in six trims, from the basic LS to the luxurious High Country, the Suburban offered a range of features, including automatic windshield wipers, LED lights, and tinted windows. However, even the top trims required additional costs for features like power running-board steps and a panoramic moonroof. Inside, the Suburban provided a spacious and comfortable cabin, with leather upholstery standard on most trims. Despite its size, the interior felt somewhat pedestrian, with supportive but not overly comfortable seats for long journeys.

The 2025 Audi Q5 embraced a robust SUV aesthetic with its third-generation model, featuring a large grille, prominent air intakes, and high-mounted headlights. While the exterior design was more evolutionary than revolutionary, it maintained a sleek profile, especially in the coupe-like Q5 Sportback variant. Available in Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trims, the Q5 offered LED Headlights Plus and programmable OLED taillights on higher trims. The SQ5 performance model stood out with increased power, sport suspension, and distinctive design elements. Inside, the Q5's design was a mix of top-notch materials and a somewhat discordant layout, with a focus on detail. Leather seating was standard, and the SQ5 offered a sportier interior with Alcantara trim. However, the piano-black plastic around the cupholders and shifter was prone to dirt. Despite its sporty intentions, the SQ5's seats lacked adequate bolstering for spirited driving.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine options: a 5.3-liter V8, a 6.2-liter V8, and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder. The 5.3-liter V8, standard on most trims, delivered 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of up to 8,300 pounds when equipped with the Max Trailering Package. The 6.2-liter V8, available on higher trims, provided 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, offering smoother acceleration. The Duramax diesel engine, with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, excelled in fuel economy and towing, making it a cost-effective choice. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and the Suburban's size was managed well by its steering and brakes. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with four-wheel drive available on most trims, and the Z71 trim focused on off-road capabilities.

The 2025 Audi Q5 featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive across all models. The base Q5's 2.0-liter turbo-four engine produced 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, while the SQ5's 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 offered 362 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Despite the impressive specs, both models experienced turbo lag and rough shifts, affecting acceleration. The Q5's steel-spring suspension provided a balanced ride, with air suspension available on higher trims. The SQ5's sportier tuning improved handling, but neither model encouraged aggressive driving. Off-Road and Off-Road Plus modes were available, but the Q5 was more suited to dirt roads than technical trails.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, offering 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 93.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 144.7 cubic feet. This made it a top choice for those needing substantial carrying capacity, surpassing competitors like the Ford Expedition Max and Jeep Wagoneer L. The Suburban's 28-gallon fuel tank, combined with the diesel engine's efficiency, allowed for long highway drives between fill-ups.

The 2025 Audi Q5 maintained similar dimensions to its predecessor, with adequate headroom and legroom. The sliding and reclining second-row bench seat added versatility, and the Q5 offered 27.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 56.9 cubic feet. This positioned it between rivals like the Lexus NX and BMW X3 in terms of cargo capacity. Standard features included a power tailgate and heated front seats, with higher trims adding a heated steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, and ventilated front seats. The Q5's towing capacity of 4,400 pounds exceeded some competitors, making it a practical choice for towing needs.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban featured a 10.2-inch touchscreen on most trims, with an 8-inch screen on the base LS trim. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with Google Built-in providing access to essential apps without phone pairing. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard, and a rear-seat entertainment system was available as an option. However, the 10-speaker Bose audio system lacked the richness of higher-end systems found in competitors.

The 2025 Audi Q5 boasted an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, with a 10.9-inch passenger screen on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a cooled wireless charging pad. The Premium Plus trim added USB-C ports and a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The MMI infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS, was easy to use, and a built-in voice assistant handled some vehicle functions. The Q5 also featured a head-up display and Dynamic Interaction Light for additional driver cues.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban received a four-star overall 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 Teen Driver. Higher trims offered additional ADAS and the option for Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous driving system.

The 2025 Audi Q5 came with standard driver-assist features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. Premium Plus models added a 360-degree camera system and adaptive cruise assist. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of release, but Audi aimed to match the previous generation's five-star rating.