2025 Subaru Outback vs 2024 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban was a familiar sight on the roads, having been a staple in the automotive world for nearly 90 years. Its massive size, stretching almost 19 feet in length and standing over six feet tall, was both its defining feature and a potential drawback for urban drivers. Despite its imposing dimensions, the Suburban was not a novelty but rather an institution, offering substantial cargo and passenger space, as well as impressive towing capacity. Available in six trims, from the basic LS to the luxurious High Country, the Suburban provided a range of features, including automatic windshield wipers, LED lights, and leather upholstery in all but the base model. However, even the top trims required additional costs for features like power running-board steps and a panoramic moonroof. Inside, the Suburban offered a comfortable cabin with heated and ventilated front seats, though the overall interior feel was somewhat pedestrian.

In contrast, the 2025 Subaru Outback stood out as one of the few remaining wagons in the U.S. market, embracing crossover trends with its rugged design elements like chunky wheel-arch flares and a robust roof rack. The Outback was designed for off-road adventures, appealing to a niche market that Subaru had successfully tapped into with its similar models like the Crosstrek and Forester. The 2025 model saw no major changes, with trims ranging from the base with cloth upholstery to the Touring XT with Nappa leather and ventilated seats. The Outback's interior was well-executed, with a mix of chrome and glossy black plastic kept to a minimum. The dashboard featured easy-to-read gauges and a small digital display, providing useful information at a glance. The Outback's design and features made it a practical choice for those seeking a vehicle capable of handling both urban and off-road environments.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine options: a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The 5.3-liter V8 was the most common, providing a towing capacity of up to 8,300 pounds with the Max Trailering Package. The 6.2-liter V8, available on higher trims, offered better acceleration but slightly less towing capability. The diesel engine, praised for its fuel economy and smooth performance, was a cost-effective option, especially on the High Country trim. The Suburban's 10-speed automatic transmission was well-tuned, though the electronic button-style shift mechanism might not appeal to everyone. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with four-wheel drive available on most trims, and the Suburban's steering and brakes were up to the task of managing its size.

The 2025 Subaru Outback featured a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, while the XT trims benefited from a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine producing 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Both engines ran on regular unleaded gas and were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive. The turbocharged engine provided better acceleration, making it a recommended choice for those who could afford the upgrade. The Outback's 8.7 inches of ground clearance and X-Mode system optimized traction on slippery surfaces, with the Wilderness model offering even more capability. The Outback's smooth ride, light steering, and powerful brakes made it a comfortable companion on rough roads, though the stop/start technology and CVT had some drawbacks.

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 those needing ample storage, surpassing competitors like the Ford Expedition Max and Jeep Wagoneer L. The Suburban's 28-gallon fuel tank, combined with the diesel engine's 26-mpg highway rating, allowed for long-distance travel between fill-ups.

The 2025 Subaru Outback's wagon shape provided practicality with easy entry and exit, a low roof height for loading, and a low center of gravity for quick direction changes. It offered 32.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat up and 75.6 cubic feet with the seat folded. While smaller than some crossovers, the Outback's flat floor and square shape maximized usability. The total passenger volume of 109 cubic feet was larger than its crossover competition, though the rear seat was slightly smaller. The Outback's towing capacity increased from 2,700 to 3,500 pounds with the turbocharged engine.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban's infotainment system featured a 10.2-inch touchscreen on all but the base LS trim, which had an 8-inch screen. The system included Google Built-in, wireless Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, with a rear-seat entertainment system available as an option. However, the 10-speaker Bose audio system was underwhelming compared to competitors' offerings.

The 2025 Subaru Outback's technology package included an 11.6-inch touchscreen with the Starlink infotainment system, which was slow to respond. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, with a Harman Kardon 12-speaker audio system available. The dashboard featured a mix of physical controls and touchscreen functions, with a CD player and USB ports for older devices.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban received a four-star overall crash safety rating from the NHTSA, with various advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) included as standard. The Premier and High Country trims offered Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous driving technology, as an option.

The 2025 Subaru Outback featured Subaru's EyeSight driver-assist technology, with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Outback earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.