2025 Honda Pilot vs 2024 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban, a long-standing icon in the automotive world, maintained its reputation as a massive yet familiar presence on the road. Despite its imposing size, the Suburban blended seamlessly into traffic, a testament to its status as an automotive institution. Measuring nearly 19 feet in length and over six feet in height, it was not designed for urban environments but catered to those needing substantial cargo and passenger space. The Suburban offered six trims, each with increasing levels of luxury, though even the top-tier High Country 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. However, even the high-end models felt somewhat ordinary, with supportive but not exceptionally comfortable seats.

In contrast, the 2025 Honda Pilot presented a more rugged appearance, especially in the Black Edition trim, which featured blacked-out exterior elements and red-accented black leather seats. The Pilot aimed to balance suburban appeal with a hint of off-road capability, particularly in the TrailSport trim. Inside, the Pilot offered thoughtful design and quality materials, though its digital displays appeared dated compared to competitors. The Black Edition included exclusive features like red ambient lighting and embossed branding, but the overall cabin lacked a significant "wow factor." Despite this, the Pilot remained a practical choice for families, with ample storage solutions and comfortable seating across its three rows.

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 six-cylinder with 277 horsepower. The diesel engine stood out for its fuel efficiency and towing capability, making it a preferred choice for those prioritizing economy and power. The Suburban's 10-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts, and its size was manageable thanks to well-tuned steering and brakes. However, its substantial weight meant drivers needed to anticipate body roll and longer braking distances.

The 2025 Honda Pilot featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 285 horsepower, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. While the V6 offered decent acceleration, the transmission occasionally hesitated, especially in Normal mode. The Pilot's AWD system, with torque vectoring and multiple driving modes, enhanced its versatility, though fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 20 mpg. The Pilot's handling was predictable, with a compliant suspension that smoothed out road imperfections, but it lacked the adaptive damping found in some competitors.

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 ideal for families needing substantial storage for road trips. The Suburban also featured a 28-gallon fuel tank, allowing for extended highway driving between fill-ups.

The 2025 Honda Pilot provided a well-thought-out interior with three rows of seating and practical storage solutions. However, the front passenger seat's limited adjustability was a drawback. The Pilot offered 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 48.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 86.5 cubic feet. The Pilot's interior was equipped with conveniences like a hands-free power tailgate and a triple-zone climate control system.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban's infotainment system featured a 10.2-inch touchscreen with Google Built-in, offering seamless access to apps like Google Maps and Google Assistant. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard, and a rear-seat entertainment system was available. However, the 10-speaker Bose audio system lacked depth compared to rivals.

The 2025 Honda Pilot's technology included a 10.2-inch digital gauge panel and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While it offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the system occasionally experienced connectivity issues. The Pilot's voice recognition system was inconsistent, and the 12-speaker Bose audio system was adequate but not exceptional. Features like CabinTalk and a small head-up display added convenience, though the technology overall met only basic expectations.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with advanced driver assistance systems like forward collision warning and lane-keeping assist standard across all trims. Higher trims offered Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous driving feature, as an option.

The 2025 Honda Pilot came equipped with Honda Sensing safety features, including forward-collision warning and adaptive cruise control. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems occasionally underperformed. The Pilot earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.