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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 8 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $65,714–$86,785 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban S is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.2/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.4/10, while Value at 6.4/10 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. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.3/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 8.4/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
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. At 7.2/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $65,714–$86,785, 15 MPG, seating 8, the Chevrolet Suburban S sits in the luxury tier of the suv market. The value score of 6.4/10 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.
Verdict: The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban S sits in the middle of the field. Until its performance and value scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders 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 2021 Chevrolet Suburban S ranks #1611 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 34% of the segment. Its 7.2/10 overall score is 0.2 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $65,714 starting price is about 82% 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 S scores 7.0/10 — within striking distance of the 2021's 7.2 — and starts roughly $6,500 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) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7.3/10 | $74,379 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.4/10 | $72,214 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.3/10 | $70,047 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.2/10 | $67,881 | Read review → |
| 2021 (this review) | 7.2/10 | $65,714 | |
| 2020 | 7.2/10 | $63,547 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.1/10 | $61,381 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.0/10 | $59,214 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.0/10 | $57,049 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 6.9/10 | $54,882 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 6.8/10 | $52,715 | Read review → |
We rate the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban S's reliability 7.3/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class.
It scores 7.2/10 overall, ranking #1611 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 34% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban S starts at $65,714 and ranges up to $86,785 across trims (MSRP when new). At 15 MPG, expect roughly $3,500/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Chevrolet models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.