What is the best year for a Chevrolet Suburban?

Meaningful complaint data only exists from 2021 onward in our records. The 2024 Suburban (35 complaints, 8/10 safety, 0 severe) is the cleanest year on record. The 2021 new-generation launch had 173 complaints, improving steadily through 2022-2024. For used buying, 2024 is the strongest pick.

How much does Chevrolet Suburban insurance cost?

Suburban insurance averages around $2,542/year — roughly $212/month.

Is the Chevrolet Suburban or Ford Expedition cheaper to maintain?

The Expedition is cheaper to maintain by $83/year — $861 versus $944 for the Suburban. The Expedition also has significantly lower repair frequency (25% vs. 51%). Both carry the same reliability score and major repair probability. On total maintenance value, the Expedition holds a clear edge.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Chevrolet Suburban?

Repair frequency of 51% above the class average, combined with a $944 annual maintenance cost, makes extended warranty worth considering — particularly for used models. Containing the cost of more frequent unscheduled visits is where coverage earns its value here.

Is the Subaru Forester expensive to maintain?

The Forester costs $632/year to maintain — $111 above the compact segment average of $521. Repair frequency of 37% is above the class average of 30%. Reliability score of 7 is below the class average of 8, and major repair probability of 13% is above the 11% norm. It trails the compact class average on every ownership-cost metric.

What is the best year for a Subaru Forester?

The 2024 Forester (28 complaints, 10/10 safety, 4 severe) is the standout year — the best on record. Avoid 2014 (402 complaints, 53 severe) and 2018-2019 (483 and 831 complaints respectively), which coincide with documented engine oil consumption and EyeSight recall issues. The 2022-2024 window shows significant improvement.

How much does Subaru Forester insurance cost?

Forester insurance averages about $2,035/year — roughly $170/month.

Is the Subaru Forester or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is $203/year cheaper — $429 versus $632 for the Forester, over $1,000 in savings over five years. The RAV4 also has higher reliability (8 vs. 7), lower major repair probability (10% vs. 13%), and lower repair frequency (26% vs. 37%). The RAV4 has a significant advantage on every maintenance metric.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Subaru Forester?

Reliability score of 7, major repair probability of 13%, and repair frequency of 37% — all above the compact class average — make extended warranty worth considering, particularly for 2014-2019 models with severe documented complaint spikes. For 2022 and newer, the risk profile improves substantially but still trails the class average.

Chevrolet Suburban vs Subaru Forester

Two fullsize SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Chevrolet Suburban if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

Buy the Subaru Forester — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Chevrolet Suburban	Subaru Forester
Annual maintenance	$944	$632winner
5-year total cost	$4,720	$3,160winner
Reliability score	6 / 10	7 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	15%	13%winner
Cargo space	144.5 cu ftwinner	74.4 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$66,000	$29,600winner
Best years to buy	—	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Chevrolet Suburban	Subaru Forester
RepairPal score	6 / 10	7 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	0winner	162.9
Years to avoid	2021, 2022, 2023	2013, 2018, 2019
Value retained · 3 yr	—	86.9%
Value retained · 5 yr	49.6%	67.5%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	—	54.4%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Chevrolet Suburban	Subaru Forester
Engine	48.9%	13.3%winner
Electrical	5.7%winner	8.0%
ADAS	5.9%winner	10.6%
Brakes	2.8%winner	3.8%
Suspension	—winner	4.2%
Steering	—winner	1.8%
Fuel system	6.1%	1.6%winner
Tires/Wheels	1.9%	1.5%winner
Glass/Windows	1.4%winner	24.4%
Airbags	2.8%winner	10.4%
Lighting	1.9%	—winner
Seatbelt	2.4%	—winner

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Chevrolet Suburban	Subaru Forester
Avg annual premium	$2,542	$2,035winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Chevrolet Suburban

$944/yr maint · 6 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Subaru Forester

$632/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Suburban costs $944/year to maintain — $160 above the fullsize segment average of $784. Repair frequency of 51% is above the class average of 40%. Reliability score of 6 and major repair probability of 15% both sit at segment averages. It's the most expensive model in the fullsize segment to maintain.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →