2025 Jeep Wrangler vs 2024 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban had a long-standing reputation as an automotive institution, having been around for nearly 90 years. Despite its massive size, it managed to blend seamlessly into traffic, a testament to its familiarity on the roads. At nearly 19 feet long and over six feet tall, the Suburban was not for everyone, especially those navigating urban environments. However, it catered to a specific market that valued its vast cargo space, passenger capacity, and towing prowess. Available in six trims, the Suburban offered a range of features, from basic niceties like automatic windshield wipers and LED lights to luxurious options like leather upholstery and heated seats. Despite its high-end trims, some features remained optional, such as power running-board steps and a panoramic moonroof. Inside, the Suburban provided a comfortable cabin with ample space, though its interior felt somewhat pedestrian even in the top-spec models.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sport S, encountered during a rental experience in Hawaii, presented a different kind of appeal. Its black-on-black color scheme was less than ideal for the tropical climate, but the Wrangler's charm lay in its ability to embrace the spirit of adventure. With its removable roof panels and open-air design, the Wrangler was well-suited for exploring the islands. Jeep offered the Wrangler in various trims, including the powerful Rubicon 392 with a 470-horsepower V8 engine. The Sport S model, priced at nearly $50,000, featured a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a few optional upgrades. Despite its rugged design, the Wrangler's interior focused on functionality, with a simple yet effective infotainment system and durable materials. Its appeal lay in its nostalgic design, rooted in military heritage, and its capability to tackle diverse terrains.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine options, including two V8s and a straight-six diesel. The standard 5.3-liter V8 engine, found in most trims, delivered 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, allowing for a towing capacity of up to 8,300 pounds 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 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder engine, with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, excelled in fuel efficiency and towing capabilities. The Suburban's 10-speed automatic transmission ensured smooth shifts, and its electronic button-style shift mechanism freed up space in the center console. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with four-wheel drive available on most trims. The Suburban's steering and brakes were well-suited for its size, and the height-adjustable air suspension handled rough roads with ease.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler offered a choice between a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a six-speed manual transmission and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder engine produced 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, offering slightly better fuel efficiency than the V6. During a test drive in Hawaii, the Wrangler achieved an average fuel economy of 19.2 mpg. The Wrangler's standard four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, and narrow width made it ideal for off-road adventures. However, its three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA was a concern. The Wrangler's ride was rough, with a disconnected steering feel at higher speeds. Despite these drawbacks, the Wrangler's off-road capabilities and rugged design made it a popular choice for adventure seekers.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, offering 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 93.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 144.7 cubic feet. This made it a top choice for families needing ample storage for road trips and towing. The Suburban's 28-gallon fuel tank allowed for long highway drives, especially with the diesel engine's efficiency.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler, while focused on utility, had limited storage space. Its 31.7 cubic-foot cargo hold was accessible through a tailgate and rear window, but accessing it could be cumbersome. Folding the back seat increased cargo volume to 72.4 cubic feet. The Wrangler's high ground clearance and narrow door openings made entry and exit challenging, but its front seats were comfortable. Rear-seat legroom was adequate, though taller passengers needed to be cautious of plastic hooks on the front seatbacks.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban featured a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, standard on most trims, with Google Built-in for seamless access to apps like Google Maps and Google Assistant. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were included, along with an optional rear-seat entertainment system. However, the 10-speaker Bose audio system lacked the richness of higher-end systems.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler's Uconnect 5 infotainment system included a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an optional nine-speaker Alpine sound system. Jeep Connect offered features like a Wi-Fi hotspot and GPS Trail Logs for off-road navigation. The touchscreen remained easy to use even with the roof panels removed, and the Convenience Group pack added a 7-inch digital display and other upgrades.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban received a four-star overall crash 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, and lane-keeping assist. The Premier and High Country trims offered Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous driving system, as an optional package.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler added side curtain airbags as standard equipment, but advanced driver assistance systems were mostly optional. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on most trims, while forward collision warning required the Sahara trim. The Wrangler received a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS rated it Good for side-impact protection but Marginal in the small overlap frontal-impact test.