The 2018 Chevrolet Suburban lasts around 250,000 miles with some A/C and starter issues reported as it ages. At $36,250 to $53,160, it’s expensive, but worth the money for a great full size SUV with tons of space for cargo and passengers.
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – 2018 is a good year for the Chevrolet Suburban since it offers great reliability with plenty of passenger room. Owner reviews praise the four-wheel drive system in the snow, low maintenance costs, along with the upscale cabin.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are very nice for an SUV in its price range, the seats are supportive on long trips, cargo space is also fantastic for its size.
- Reliability 8/10 – There are no widespread problems found on the 2018 Suburban. Avoid models from 2015 which have a lot of A/C issues, while 2016–2022 are very reliable.
- Performance 8/10 – Performance is decent from the standard V8 engine which gives it a high towing capacity for a large SUV.
- Safety 8/10 – The 2018 Suburban is reasonably safe, earning 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests. It comes standard with a rearview camera, while optional upgrades include lane-keep assist along with adaptive cruise control.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – Fuel economy is okay at up to 18 MPG, giving 558 miles of range from the 31 gallon tank. Gas costs are $11 cheaper than average at $252 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2018 Suburban is more expensive than some other large SUVs, but reasonable depreciation makes it a good long-term value.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Chevy Suburban?
- Consumer Reports says the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban is a fantastic old-fashioned truck-based full size SUV, with high owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the 2018 Suburban at 3.9/5, enjoying the outstanding room for up to nine passengers, but doesn’t like the high cargo floor for loading in large items.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Suburban a 4.2/5, praising the very high towing capacity for boats or off-road toys, but owners don’t like the firm suspension.
What Common Problems Does the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban Have?
Common problems found on the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban include a worn out A/C condenser, starter motor failures, along with the stereo system freezing. Overall, these problems are similar to other large SUVs, leading to average repair costs as a Suburban ages.
A worn out A/C condenser is the most widespread complaint on the 2018 Chevy Suburban, showing up at around 60,000 miles. The components in the condenser simply wear out as the vehicle ages, and the whole unit has to be changed. Installing a new condenser is a time consuming process, costing about $900 depending on local labor rates.
Starter motor failures have also been reported by 2018 Suburban owners at around 110,000 miles. It’s a common problem on a lot of Chevrolet vehicles with the 5.3L V8. The only way to fix the problem is by replacing the starter assembly, which costs roughly $1,200.
The stereo system freezing is a more minor problem mentioned by 2018 Chevy Suburban owners within the first 1,000 miles. There are software updates available for the stereo which improves its reliability. Most dealerships will install the software updates for free, while some charge around $50 for labor.
There are three recalls on the 2018 Chevy Suburban, which is similar to other full size SUVs. The most serious recall is for the brake assist vacuum pump, which may lose power. Chevy will reprogram the electronic brake control module on affected models for free.
How Long Will the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban Last?
A well-maintained 2018 Chevy Suburban can last around 250,000 miles, which is only slightly shorter than the long-lasting Toyota Sequoia. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to other full size SUVs, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $690 per year.
As a used 2018 Suburban reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the emergency brake cable for $280, the throttle body costing $350, along with the suspension struts which cost $1,400.
It does not have any problems at all. It works really well and I drive me family everywhere with it.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is great, offering a standard 8-inch touchscreen stereo system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Optional upgrades include a more powerful Bose stereo system.
Standard safety technology is decent and includes a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, a rear seat reminder, along with Teen Driver mode, which sets volume and speed limits.
Optional driver assistance features include:
- Front parking sensors
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Full-speed adaptive cruise control
- Lane keep assist
- Safety alert seat which vibrates for road hazards
- Blind spot monitoring
- Low-speed forward collision alert
- Brake assist
- Lane departure warning
- Automatic high-beam headlights
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban a Good Value?
Yes, the 2018 Chevy Suburban is a good value since it offers plenty of passenger room along with a strong V8 engine. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $36,250 to $53,160, making it more than a Chevy Traverse or Dodge Durango. When new, the price range was $50,200 to $67,900. Depreciation is similar to other SUVs, losing about 10% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Chevy Suburban?
There are three main models of the Chevy Suburban offered from the entry-level LS through to the more luxurious Premier. The Suburban comes standard with rear-wheel drive, while four-wheel drive is available as an optional upgrade.
LS is the entry-level model with:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Seating for eight passengers (a front-row three-passenger bench seat is optional)
- Automatic wipers
- Remote start
- Rear parking sensors
- Tri-zone automatic climate control
- Power-adjustable front seats
- Leather-wrapped tilt-only steering wheel
- Household-rated power outlet
- Chevy’s MyLink infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen interface
- Rearview camera
- Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto
- Five USB ports
- Six-speaker audio system with satellite radio
- OnStar communications with a 4G LTE connection and onboard Wi-Fi
- Teen-driver system
- Optional: Enhanced Driver Alert package
LT is a step up, adding:
- All features of the LS trim
- Power-operated liftgate
- Leather seats
- Heated front bucket seats (reduces passenger capacity to eight)
- Telescoping steering wheel
- Driver-seat memory functions
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Nine-speaker Bose audio system
- Optional: Luxury package
- Available: Texas Edition package
- Optional: Sun, Entertainment, and Destinations package
- Available: Z71 Off-Road package
Premier is the flagship model with.
- All features of the LT trim with the Luxury package
- 20-inch wheels
- Xenon headlights
- Adaptive Magnetic Ride Control suspension
- Ventilated front seats
- Navigation system
- Upgraded power-adjustable front seats
- Wireless charging pad
- 10-speaker premium Bose surround-sound audio system
- Optional: Adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking
- Available: Power-retractable rocker-sill passenger steps
- Optional: Head-up display
Available on All Trims
- 22-inch wheels
- Max Trailering package
- RST (Rally Sport Truck) package
What Engines Come In the Chevy Suburban?
The 2018 Chevy Suburban is powered by a strong 5.3L V8 engine producing 355 horsepower and 383 lb.-ft of torque, at up to 18 MPG. It comes mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The towing capacity stands at a robust 8,300 lbs. Regarding performance, the Suburban can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.3 seconds.
What Colors Does the Chevy Suburban Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Chevy Suburban?
The 2018 Chevrolet Suburban strikes an exceptional balance between utility and comfort. This full-size SUV provides ample space for up to nine passengers, providing roomy comfort across all three rows. Even adults will find the second and third rows spacious enough for long trips, which is a significant advantage over many competitors in this segment.
Seats in the 2018 Suburban are upholstered with high-quality materials, which extend to the plush, supportive cushions designed for long-haul comfort. Premium trims feature heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated second row, adding another level of comfort for different weather conditions. Furthermore, the noise-insulated cabin helps to keep road and wind noise to a minimum, making for a quiet and peaceful ride.
The Suburban also impresses with its smooth ride quality. Thanks to its size and well-tuned suspension, it absorbs most road imperfections with ease, delivering a serene, almost car-like ride. Combined with its precise steering and stable handling, the Suburban provides driver comfort, too, which is especially important on long journeys.
How Much Storage Space Does the Chevy Suburban Have?
The 2018 Chevrolet Suburban is an excellent example of a large sport utility vehicle designed to maximize storage space, perfectly suited for big families or anyone needing substantial cargo capacity. With all of its three rows of seats in use, the Suburban offers a sizable 39.3 cubic feet of storage space. This is enough to fit numerous luggage pieces, camping gear, or a large grocery haul.
For even more storage, the Suburban’s third-row seating can be folded down, expanding the cargo space to 76.7 cubic feet. This considerable space could easily accommodate larger items like bicycles or large furniture items, such as a small desk or a bookshelf.
But that’s not all. If you require maximum storage, both the second and third-row seats can be folded down, creating a cavernous 121.7 cubic feet of storage space. This substantial capacity is comparable to some full-size vans, and it could fit larger items such as a queen-sized mattress or multiple pieces of outdoor equipment like kayaks. This impressive cargo space, coupled with the Suburban’s towing capacity, makes it an ideal vehicle for long road trips, moving, or even small-scale hauling jobs.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 11th generation of the Chevrolet Suburban was launched for the 2015 model year.
2015: Fully redesigned for the 11th generation with improved interior materials, a quieter cabin, and a fold-flat third row seat.
2016: Upgraded 8-inch touchscreen standard on all models with Apple CarPlay, driver alert package available.
2017: Flagship model renamed to Premier, more safety features added including automatic emergency braking and seat reminders.
2018: No major changes from the outgoing 2017 model.
2019: New RST Performance Edition added with the larger 6.2L V8 engine.
2020: Minor changes to available features, and more technology added to the 6.2L Performance package
2021: Fully redesigned for the 12th generation with new engines, technology, and styling.
How Does the Chevy Suburban Compare to the Competition?
The 2018 Chevrolet Suburban is a great full size SUV, offering tons of room for passengers and cargo paired with good reliability ratings as it ages, which helps it be one of the best large SUVs.
The Ford Expedition is another large SUV which costs about $2,000 less. Interior materials are nicer in the Ford Expedition, while the Chevy Suburban offers more passenger and cargo space. We recommend the Chevy Suburban since it’s a longer-lasting choice and still offers a V8 engine.
The Cadillac Escalade is a popular competitor, which costs about $6,500 more. Both the Cadillac Escalade and Chevy Suburban are built on the same platform, but the Cadillac Escalade has a much nicer cabin and better standard technology features. We recommend the Cadillac Escalade since it’s worth the premium, but both are very similar SUVs.
Do Owners Recommend the Chevy Suburban?
Yes, it is a very good car. With 8 seats. For all my family members. I drive it everywhere. Black is the best color too.