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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 8 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $35,200–$41,700 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban at 6.4/10 overall, which translates to a Fair rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.5/10, while Value at 5.8/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. Buyers should review the score breakdown carefully and consider higher-rated alternatives before committing.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability is the weak spot: 6.4/10, under the class average. Review the recall record on this page and price in extra maintenance headroom. The safety score of 7.5/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.1/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 5.9/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $35,200–$41,700, 10 MPG, seating 8, the Chevrolet Suburban sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. The value score of 5.8/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 14 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: Based on our scoring, the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban underperforms its segment peers across multiple dimensions. Unless there's a specific reason it fits your situation — price, a particular trim's features, or availability — there are better-scored alternatives at similar price points worth considering first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2012 Chevrolet Suburban ranks #2417 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 2% of the segment. Its 6.4/10 overall score is 1 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $35,200 starting price sits close to the segment's median of $36,079.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Across the Suburban model years we've scored, the 2012 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.4/10 | $64,674 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.4/10 | $64,674 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.4/10 | $62,791 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.3/10 | $60,908 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.3/10 | $59,024 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.1/10 | $57,141 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.1/10 | $55,258 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.1/10 | $53,374 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.0/10 | $51,491 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.0/10 | $49,608 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.0/10 | $47,724 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 6.8/10 | $45,840 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Air bags / Frontal / Passenger side / Inflator module 05/02/2021 · 21V051000 | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL originally sold, or ever… |
|---|---|
| Air bags / Frontal / Passenger side / Inflator module 05/02/2021 · 21V054000 | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of… |
| Electrical system / Ignition 30/12/2014 · 14V827000 | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected… |
| Steering / Gear box / Shaft pitman 22/03/2012 · 12V112000 | GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND SUBURBAN VEHICLES, AND GMC SAVANA AND YUKON XL HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES. THE STEERING GEAR PITMAN SHAFT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY HARDENED AND COULD FRACTURE. |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
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