Representative photo — may show another model year
SUV
2018 Chevrolet Suburban
Independent review & score by Carivo
Price Range
$51,491–$67,886
Fuel Economy12 MPG
Seating8 passengers
CategorySUV
Est. Annual Fuel$4,375/yr
The 2018 Chevrolet Suburban scores 7.0/10 at Carivo, ranking #2010 of 2454 suvs, with 4 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $4,375/year fuel cost.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
About the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban
Our scoring places the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban at 7.0/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.2/10, while Performance at 6.5/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We score reliability at 7.0/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 8.2/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.5/10 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 6.8/10 — 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 $51,491–$67,886, 12 MPG, seating 8, the Chevrolet Suburban sits in the premium tier of the suv category. The value score of 6.7/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 8 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: The 2018 Chevrolet Suburban is a passable suv but not a standout one. Weaknesses in technology and value and performance hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
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 →
How It Ranks Among SUVs
The 2018 Chevrolet Suburban ranks #2010 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 18% of the segment. Its 7.0/10 overall score is 0.4 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $51,491 starting price is about 43% above the segment's median of $36,079.
$0 — 4 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
Insurance
Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
Which Suburban Year Should You Buy?
Smart-money pick: the 2015 Chevrolet Suburban scores 6.8/10 — within striking distance of the 2018's 7.0 — and starts roughly $5,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well
✗ Where it falls short
Reliability scores are mid-pack; some owners report higher-than-expected maintenance needs
Driving dynamics are adequate but uninspiring; not the choice for enthusiast drivers
Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra
Fuel economy at 12 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly
NHTSA Recalls — 2018 Chevrolet Suburban (4 on record)
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 with our free VIN recall checker.
Seat belts / Rear/other 26/09/2018 · 18V673000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Cadillac CT6, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Volt, and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. Certain second-row or third-row rear seatbelts retractor assemblies may not automatically lock when the seatbelt is…
Service brakes, hydraulic / Power assist / Vacuum 06/09/2019 · 19V645000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
Service brakes, hydraulic / Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip / Wheel speed sensor/tone ring 24/10/2019 · 19V761000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a…
Power train / Transfer case (4-wheel drive) 07/05/2026 · 26V289000
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020…
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Own a 2018 Chevrolet Suburban that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →
Common Questions — 2018 Chevrolet Suburban
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
We rate the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban's reliability 7.0/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
How many recalls does the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban worth buying?
It scores 7.0/10 overall, ranking #2010 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 18% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
How much does the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban cost?
The 2018 Chevrolet Suburban starts at $51,491 and ranges up to $67,886 across trims (MSRP when new). At 12 MPG, expect roughly $4,375/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Which Suburban years should you avoid?
Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest Suburban years we've rated are 2015 (6.8/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (7.4/10). See the full year table above before deciding.
What problems does the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban have?
The documented issues for the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Seat belts, Service brakes, hydraulic, Power train (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.
Owner Essentials — Chevrolet Suburban
Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.
Once a month: which brands moved up or down our reliability rankings, new recalls worth knowing, and the smartest-money model years. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
You're in — first report lands next month.
More Chevrolet Reviews
Explore the full lineup of Chevrolet models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
Representative photo — may show another model year