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The Chevrolet Suburban is one of the longest-running vehicles. We take a look at the top alternatives to this legendary SUV.
Alternatives to the Full-Sized SUV King
The 2025 Chevy Suburban is the standard bearer for giant-sized SUVs. It is the only full-size model that can seat up to 9 people, the Suburban can tow up to 8,200 pounds, and it offers a range of trim lines from nice to ritzy. Not exactly a cheap date, the latest Suburban starts at $63,995 for an LS model with a 5.3L V8 making 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque just like the 2024 Suburban. These models come with 18” wheels, cloth upholstery, and a new infotainment interface blending an 11” digital gauge cluster with a 17.7” central touchscreen.
At the top of the 2025 Suburban range is the High Country, which starts at $86,695 with 4WD. In between these two models, there is a wide range of optional features like 24” wheels, Magnetic Ride Control dampers, and air suspension, climatized front seats, and a rear-seat entertainment system. Of course, the Suburban is also cavernous inside with 42” of second-row legroom, 37” in the way back, and a maximum cargo hauling capacity of 144 cubic feet. Very impressive, but the Suburban is not the only kid on the big-sized block. Here then are some solid Chevy Suburban alternatives.
2025 GMC Yukon XL
The GMC Yukon XL is dimensionally identical to the Suburban and offers the same range of powertrains including the 5.3L V8, a 6.2L V8 making 420 hp, and a 3.0L turbodiesel inline-6. The premium GMC badge carries a premium price tag that results in a starting price of $71,895, for which you get much of the same content as the Suburban. However, head up to the $104,795 Denali Ultimate – or tick some option boxes – and you’ll find features unavailable on the Chevy like a night vision camera system, a Bose 22-speaker audio system, laser-etched wood trim, and front seats with massaging capability.
2025 Nissan Armada
The all-new 2025 Nissan Armada can seat up to 8 and tow up to 8,500 pounds with its standard 3.5L twin-turbo V6 churning out 425 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Though not quite as big as the Suburban – few SUVs are – the Nissan is nonetheless a compelling alternative with 97 cubic feet of maximum cargo space and 39” of second-row legroom. Standard features include LED headlights, dual 12.3” dashboard displays, and wireless smartphone integration. Ranging in price from $56,250 to $79,990, the 2025 Armada can be luxuriously outfitted with adaptive air suspension, a panoramic moonroof, dual 14.3” screens up front, and a Klipsch 12-speaker stereo.
2025 Cadillac Escalade
Sized to match the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon, the 2025 Cadillac Escalade is on the pricier side with an entry point of $90,095. But that’s only about $4,000 more than a loaded Suburban and overlaps with the Yukon XL. Plus, the Escalade is quite a bit more upscale than its GM stablemates with a list of standard content that includes 22” wheels, the 6.2L V8, 4WD, a hands-free liftgate, an AKG 19-speaker audio system, and a huge 55” display that curves across the dashboard. Super Cruise and augmented-reality functionality are also standard. The same 42” of second-row legroom found in the Suburban is on hand in the Caddy, but cargo space tops out at “just” 120 cubic feet.
2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz
A battery-powered minivan may not seem the most obvious alternative to a gas-guzzling Suburban, but hear me out. The 2025 VW ID.Buzz is the only vehicle here that bests the Chevy in overall cargo space, albeit by a single cubic foot. It’s also relatively cheap with a price range of $59,995 to $69,995. Sliding doors are a family’s best friend and the new Vee Dub oozes style. Range maxes out at 234 miles and third-row legroom in the Buzz measures a whopping 42 inches. Every model comes with climatized and massaging front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a 12.9” central touchscreen. Move up the trim ladder to unlock niceties like hands-free side doors, an electrochromic glass roof, and a Harman Kardon 13-speaker stereo.
2025 Ram 1500
Another seemingly unusual alternative to a Chevy Suburban is a full-size pickup truck like the 2025 Ram 1500. Certainly, its biggest disadvantage is the lack of a third row. However, with a front bench seat, there is still room for up to 6 and the interior is big with 45” of rear legroom on crew cab models. Plus, the utility of the cargo bed could be a better fit depending on needs, not to mention up to 11,550 pounds of towing capacity. Factor in available luxuries like air suspension, a panoramic moonroof, massaging front seats, and a self-parking system for a rather well-rounded pickup truck alternative to a full-size SUV.
2025 Jeep Wagoneer
The 2025 Jeep Wagoneer starts at $59,945 and goes up to $73,945 for a Series III. Like its competitors, an extended-length variant is available for an extra $3,000. All Wagoneers come with a potent 3.0L twin-turbo inline-6 rated for 420 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque with a tow rating – 10,000 pounds – that bests the Suburban. In stretched form, maximum cargo space measures 131 cubic feet with 43” of second-row legroom and 37” of third-row legroom included on all 2025 Wagoneers. 20” wheels and leather upholstery come standard, while optional niceties include power-deploying running boards, a tri-pane panoramic moonroof, and a power-folding third row.
2025 Ford Expedition Max
Ford offers the 2025 Expedition in standard and Max flavors with the latter the most relevant to a Suburban buyer. It seats up to 8, can tow up to 9,600 pounds, and comes standard with a 400-horse 3.5L twin-turbo V6. That powertrain can be upgraded to make 440 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque, but every Expedition Max comes standard with triple-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats, a trick Cargo Tailgate Manager system, and an impressive 24” panoramic instrument panel display set behind and to the side of a central 13.2” screen. As with its peers, optional premium amenities abound like 24” wheels, adaptive dampers, massaging front seats, and BlueCruise hands-free driving tech.
2025 Toyota Sequoia
Another solid alternative to the Chevy Suburban is Toyota’s Sequoia. Under the hood is a 3.4L twin-turbo V6 hybrid tuned for performance, as in 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque. The big Toyota can tow 9,520 pounds, seat 8, and deliver 34” of third-row legroom. The maximum cargo space of 87 cubic feet is off the pace of a Suburban, but standard features like 18” wheels, heated front seats, and a sunroof make up for it. Opt for the $83,915 Capstone variant plus a few options to enjoy a hands-free liftgate, two-tone leather, real wood trim, climatized second-row seats, and a 14” central touchscreen. Find yourself a nice used Sequoia to enjoy strong towing capacity for less.
