2025 Ford Explorer vs 2024 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban had a long-standing reputation as an automotive institution, blending into traffic despite its massive size. Its nearly 19-foot length and over six-foot height made it a giant on the road, appealing to those needing ample cargo and passenger space. The Suburban was available in six trims, each offering various features, from basic niceties like LED headlights to luxurious options like leather interiors and power running-board steps. However, even the top trims required additional costs for features like a panoramic moonroof. Inside, the Suburban provided a comfortable cabin with leather upholstery in higher trims, though it felt somewhat pedestrian despite its premium features.

The 2025 Ford Explorer, with its refreshed design, offered a sleeker and more rugged appearance. The restyled front end and new LED taillights enhanced its aesthetic appeal. Inside, the Explorer saw significant improvements, with upgraded materials and design making it competitive in its segment. Ford reduced the available trims to four, focusing on quality over quantity. The ST-Line trim, which we tested, featured a sporty look with options like the Premium Package and ST-Line Street Pack. The Explorer's interior was comfortable, with features like heated seats and ambient lighting, though the third row was less accommodating for adults.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine options: a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower, and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel with 277 horsepower. The diesel engine provided better fuel economy and was less expensive on the High Country trim. The Suburban's 10-speed automatic transmission was well-tuned, and its RWD was standard, with 4WD available. Despite its size, the Suburban handled well, though drivers needed to account for its weight and potential body roll.

The 2025 Ford Explorer featured two EcoBoost engines: a 2.3-liter four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and a 3.0-liter V6 with 400 horsepower. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and RWD, with 4WD optional. The Explorer offered various driving modes, enhancing its versatility. The ST-Line trim provided a sporty feel, especially with the ST-Line Street Package, which included larger wheels and performance brakes. The Explorer's handling was impressive, with a firm yet comfortable ride, though the brakes were not extensively tested.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, offering 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 144.7 cubic feet with seats folded. This made it ideal for families needing substantial storage. The Suburban's 28-gallon fuel tank allowed for long highway drives, especially with the diesel engine's efficiency.

The 2025 Ford Explorer seated six in its standard configuration, with an option for a seven-seat setup. The ST-Line trim featured comfortable front and second-row seats, though the third row was less suitable for adults. Cargo space was competitive, with 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 85.8 cubic feet. The Explorer's interior offered practical storage solutions, including a useful dashboard tray.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban came with a 10.2-inch touchscreen, standard on most trims, featuring Google Built-in and wireless smartphone integration. A rear-seat entertainment system was optional. However, the Bose audio system was underwhelming compared to competitors.

The 2025 Ford Explorer introduced the Ford Digital Experience with a 13.2-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrumentation. It included Google Built-in, Amazon Alexa, and wireless smartphone integration. The B&O sound systems varied by trim, with the higher trims offering superior audio quality. The system was user-friendly, though some features like video gaming seemed unnecessary.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban received a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, with various ADAS features standard. Higher trims offered Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous driving system, as an option.

The 2025 Ford Explorer included Ford CoPilot 360+ with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering. Higher trims featured BlueCruise, Ford's hands-free driving system. While NHTSA ratings were incomplete, the Explorer had strong side-impact and rollover resistance ratings.