carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 8 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $57,141–$72,074 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban at 7.1/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.4/10, while Value at 6.6/10 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 7.3/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 8.4/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.7/10 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. Tech rates a reasonable 7.0/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $57,141–$72,074, 15 MPG, seating 8, the Chevrolet Suburban sits in the premium tier of the suv category. The value score of 6.6/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Our take: The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban is a passable suv but not a standout one. Weaknesses in performance and value 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 →
The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban ranks #1814 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 26% of the segment. Its 7.1/10 overall score is 0.3 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $57,141 starting price is about 58% above the segment's median of $36,079.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban scores 7.0/10 — within striking distance of the 2021's 7.1 — 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.
| 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 (this review) | 7.1/10 | $57,141 | |
| 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.
| Steering / Steering control module 17/06/2021 · 21V455000 | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. A software issue may cause a loss of power steering assist at startup or while driving. |
|---|---|
| Power train / Driveline / Driveshaft 27/01/2022 · 22V036000 | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated… |
| Seat belts 17/12/2020 · 20V792000 | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon XL and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The seat belt… |
| Seat belts 23/12/2020 · 20V811000 | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500,… |
| Seats 25/11/2020 · 20V735000 | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles. During general assembly, a repair involved removal of one or both front seats. The attachment bolts for the front seats may not have been… |
Showing 5 of 12 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
Explore the full lineup of Chevrolet models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.