carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 8 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $74,285–$98,105 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.2/10, the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban SL earns a Good rating among the suvs we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.4/10, while Value at 6.2/10 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. Reliability comes in at 7.3/10 in our assessment — above the middle of the pack for this class, though not flawless. On safety it earns 8.4/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official 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. Technology comes in at 7.3/10 — functional and modern, with wireless connectivity and core ADAS features, though some competitors pack more standard tech at this price point.
Priced from $74,285–$98,105, 15 MPG, seating 8, the Chevrolet Suburban SL sits in the luxury tier of the suv market. The value score of 6.2/10 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.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban SL, but it needs the right buyer. Its performance and value scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.
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 SL 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 $74,285 starting price is about 106% 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 SL scores 7.0/10 — within striking distance of the 2021's 7.2 — and starts roughly $7,500 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 | $84,081 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.4/10 | $81,633 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.3/10 | $79,184 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.2/10 | $76,735 | Read review → |
| 2021 (this review) | 7.2/10 | $74,285 | |
| 2020 | 7.1/10 | $71,836 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.1/10 | $69,387 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.0/10 | $66,938 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.0/10 | $64,490 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 6.9/10 | $62,041 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 6.8/10 | $59,592 | Read review → |
We rate the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban SL'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 SL starts at $74,285 and ranges up to $98,105 across trims (MSRP when new). At 15 MPG, expect roughly $3,500/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Other suvs at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Chevrolet models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
