The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban lasts around 250,000 miles with some relatively minor sunroof and Bluetooth stereo problems. At $48,800 to $71,450, it’s expensive, but worth the money for a very dependable full size SUV.
Is the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – 2021 is a great year for the Chevy Suburban since it’s loaded with a lot of new features, while still being reliable. Owner reviews praise the massive cabin, advanced safety tech, along with the strong V8 engines.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are very nice, the seats and passenger room are great, cargo space is also better than other large SUVs.
- Reliability 8/10 – There are no widespread complaints on the 2021 Chevy Suburban. In general, models from 2010 through 2021 are all dependable choices.
- Performance 8/10 – Performance is good from all of the engines, although the largest 6.2L V8 is very strong for a large SUV.
- Safety 8/10 – The 2021 Suburban is safe, earning 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests. Standard features include automatic emergency braking, along with pedestrian detection. Optional upgrades include adaptive cruise control along with parking sensors.
- Gas Mileage 5/10 – Fuel economy is poor at up to 23 MPG, giving 644 miles of range from the 28 gallon tank. Gas costs are $74 higher than average at $349 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban is more expensive than other large SUVs, although low ownership costs paired with slow depreciation makes it a great value.
What Do Critics Say About the Chevy Suburban?
- Consumer Reports says the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban is an extremely functional large SUV with plenty of room and good owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Suburban at 7.6/10, praising the spacious third row of seats, but doesn’t like the unresponsive steering.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the 2021 Suburban a 4.6/5, enjoying the outstanding cargo space, but owners don’t like the high fuel costs.
What Common Problems Does the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban Have?
Common problems found on the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado include a leaky sunroof, Bluetooth connectivity issues, along with some lifter arm problems on the diesel engine. Overall, these problems are similar to some of the other large SUVs on the market, leading to average repair bills.
A leaky sunroof is the most widespread complaint on the 2021 Suburban, showing up in the first 2,000 miles. Usually, the problem is simply caused by a clogged or disconnected drain line from the sunroof. Fixing the problem is fairly easy since usually the lines just need to be re-attached. Most dealerships will do this under warranty on such new vehicles, while out of warranty it’s about $50.
Bluetooth connectivity issues also show up on some 2021 Suburban models at around 2,500 miles. There are software updates for the stereo system which improves the reliability of the Bluetooth connection. Most dealers will install the necessary updates for free, while some charge around $50.
Lifter arm problems on the diesel engine are another problem mentioned by owners at around 15,000 miles. The only solution is to rebuild the engine and replace the lifters. Usually this is done under the 5 year/100,000 mile warranty, and is free. If you’re out of warranty then lifters cost around $2,000 to replace.
There are ten recalls on the 2021 Suburban, which is worse than many other large SUVs from the same year. The most serious recall is for the power control module, which can cause a fuel pump failure. Chevy will replace the power control modules in affected models for free. Other recalls cover seat brackets, as well as the seat belts.
How Long Will the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban Last?
A well-maintained 2021 Chevrolet Suburban can last around 250,000 miles, which is only slightly shorter than the ultra-long-lasting Toyota Sequoia. Regular annual maintenance costs are higher than some other SUVs, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $830 per year.
As a used 2021 Suburban reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history owners should be prepared to replace the throttle body for $350, wheel hubs costing $450, along with the oxygen sensors which cost $200.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is great with a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Optional upgrades include a more powerful stereo, along with a rear seat entertainment system.
Standard advanced safety technology features include:
- Rearview camera with hitch guidance
- Forward collision warning with pedestrian detection
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- Rear-seat alert
- Automatic emergency braking
- Rear parking sensors
- Teen driver mode
Optional driver assistance features include:
- Front parking sensors
- Blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert
- Safety alert seat
- Head-up display
- Lane departure warning with lane keep assist
- Surround-view parking camera system
- Rearview mirror with an integrated camera
- Adaptive cruise control
Is the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban a Good Value?
Yes, the 2021 Chevy Suburban is a good value since it offers plenty of passenger room with a lot of the latest technology since it was just updated. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $48,800 to $71,450, making it more than a Ford Expedition or Chevy Traverse. When new, the price range was $52,300 to $75,400. Depreciation is better than other SUVs, only losing about 5% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Chevy Suburban?
There are six models of the 2021 Chevy Suburban offered from the base LS model all the way through to the very luxurious High Country. 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 Wheels
- LED Headlights
- Cloth Seats
- Optional Front Row Bench Seat
- 2-Inch Touchscreen
- Forward Collision Mitigation
LT is a step up, adding:
- Hands-Free Liftgate
- Power Driver’s Seats
- Leather Seating
- Heated Front Seats
- Wireless Phone Charging
- Nine-Speaker Bose Audio System
RST adds minor upgrades including:
- 22-Inch Wheels
- Upgraded Black Exterior Trim
- Unique RST Seats With Contrast Stitching
Z71 is better off-road with:
- Unique Front Bumper With More Ground Clearance
- Two-Speed Low-Range Transfer Case
- Hill Descent Control
- All-Terrain Tires
- Front Skid Plates & Tow Hooks
Premier has upgrades such as:
- Magnetic Controlled Shock Absorbers
- Digital Instrument Panel
- Second-Row Bucket Seats
- Heated and Ventilated Front Seats
- Lane Keep Assist
- 10-Speaker Bose Stereo System
High Country is the flagship model which has:
- Premium Leather Seating
- Unique Grille With Bronze Accents
- Head-Up Display
- Panoramic Sunroof
- Rear Entertainment System
- Air Suspension
What Engines Come In the Chevy Suburban?
- The base engine is a strong 5.3L V8 which makes 355 horsepower at up to 18 MPG. All of the engines come with a standard 10-speed automatic transmission.
- An available upgrade is the more powerful 6.2L V8, which produces 420 horsepower, while getting 16 MPG. Performance is great, taking 6.1 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
- If you want a more efficient engine, there’s a 3.0L six-cylinder turbodiesel which produces 277 horsepower and gets up to 23 MPG.
What Colors Does the Chevy Suburban Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Chevy Suburban?
The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban is a full-size SUV that offers a comfortable and spacious interior, with plenty of passenger space making it an appealing choice for families or individuals seeking a roomy and well-appointed vehicle.
The Suburban provides ample seating for up to nine passengers, with generous legroom and headroom in all three rows, providing a pleasant experience for occupants on short drives or extended journeys. The SUV’s independent rear suspension and magnetic ride control is designed to deliver a smooth and composed ride, effectively absorbing road imperfections and minimizing cabin noise for a serene and enjoyable environment.
How Much Storage Space Does the Chevy Suburban Have?
The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban is a full-size SUV known for its impressive size and vast storage capacity, making it an ideal choice for families or individuals seeking ample cargo space. The Suburban boasts a generous 41.5 cubic feet of cargo room behind its third-row seats, providing plenty of space for luggage, groceries, or other items.
When more storage is needed, the third-row seats can be folded down, increasing the cargo capacity to an impressive 93.8 cubic feet. For even greater storage needs, folding both the second and third-row seats down reveals a massive 144.7 cubic feet of cargo space, allowing for the transportation of larger items or gear.
The cabin also features multiple storage compartments, including door pockets, a center console, and cup holders, to make sure passengers have adequate space for their personal belongings.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The twelfth generation of the Chevrolet Suburban was launched for the 2021 model year.
2015: Fully redesigned for the eleventh generation with a quieter cabin, better interior materials, and improved fuel economy.
2016: Standard 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay smartphone integration on all models.
2017: Top trim level renamed to Premier, new more advanced safety features added, along with an upgraded rear seat entertainment system.
2018: No major changes from earlier years.
2019: New RST Performance Edition with stronger 6.2L V8.
2020: More technology features than in earlier years, minor changes to package availability.
2021: Fully redesigned for the twelfth generation with new interior, exterior and engine choices.
How Does the Chevy Suburban Compare to the Competition?
The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban is one of the best full size SUVs on the market since it offers a lot of space for passengers and cargo, along with good reliability ratings as it ages.
The Ford Expedition is another large SUV which costs about $5,000 less. Seating is a bit more comfortable in the Ford Expedition, while the Chevy Suburban offers more room for cargo. We recommend the Chevy Suburban since it’s a more reliable choice with fewer engine problems reported by owners.
The GMC Yukon is a popular competitor available in the same price range. Both the Chevy Suburban and GMC Yukon XL models are built on the same base platform, while the Yukon offers a more luxurious interior. We recommend the GMC Yukon if you can find one in the same price range, otherwise it’s not worth the extra money for such a similar vehicle.
