What is the best year for a Chevrolet Blazer?

The 2022 and 2023 Blazer are the standout used picks — 39 and 35 complaints respectively, both with 10/10 NHTSA safety scores and only 4 severe issues each. After a rougher launch window in 2019-2020 (181 and 204 complaints), the Blazer stabilized quickly. The 2022-2025 window is consistently clean.

How much does Chevrolet Blazer insurance cost?

Blazer insurance averages around $2,570/year — roughly $214/month. On the higher end for midsize SUVs, despite favorable maintenance costs.

Is the Chevrolet Blazer or Ford Edge cheaper to maintain?

The Blazer is cheaper to maintain by $90/year — $521 versus $611 for the Ford Edge. The Blazer also has a higher reliability score (8 vs. 7), lower major repair probability (11% vs. 13%), and lower repair frequency (28% vs. 33%). The Blazer is the better value across all maintenance metrics.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Chevrolet Blazer?

Major repair probability of 11% and repair frequency of 28% are both well below the midsize segment averages. Extended warranty isn't warranted for most buyers — the data supports self-insuring.

Is the Chevrolet Suburban expensive to maintain?

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.

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.

Chevrolet Blazer vs Chevrolet Suburban

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

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Chevrolet Blazer — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

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

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Chevrolet Blazer	Chevrolet Suburban
Annual maintenance	$521winner	$944
5-year total cost	$2,605winner	$4,720
Reliability score	8 / 10winner	6 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	11%winner	15%
Cargo space	—	144.5 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$37,095winner	$66,000
Best years to buy	—	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Chevrolet Blazer	Chevrolet Suburban
RepairPal score	8 / 10winner	6 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	135.2	0winner
Years to avoid	2019, 2020, 2021	2021, 2022, 2023
Value retained · 3 yr	71.6%	—
Value retained · 5 yr	52.8%winner	49.6%
Value retained · 7 yr	40.5%	—

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Chevrolet Blazer	Chevrolet Suburban
Engine	24.3%winner	48.9%
Electrical	15.8%	5.7%winner
ADAS	9.0%	5.9%winner
Brakes	6.7%	2.8%winner
Suspension	1.1%	—winner
Steering	7.7%	—winner
Fuel system	2.3%winner	6.1%
Tires/Wheels	3.8%	1.9%winner
Glass/Windows	0.8%winner	1.4%
Airbags	1.5%winner	2.8%
Lighting	—winner	1.9%
Seatbelt	—winner	2.4%

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 Blazer	Chevrolet Suburban
Avg annual premium	$2,570	$2,542winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Chevrolet Blazer

$521/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Chevrolet Suburban

$944/yr maint · 6 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Blazer costs $521/year to maintain — $52 below the midsize segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 28% is well below the class average of 40%, and major repair probability of 11% is well below the 13% norm. Combined with a reliability score of 8 above the class average of 7, it's one of the stronger ownership-cost profiles in the midsize segment.

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 →