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 Toyota RAV4 expensive to maintain?

The RAV4 costs around $429/year to maintain — $92 below the compact segment average of $521. Repair frequency of 26% is also below the class average of 30%, meaning fewer unscheduled shop visits than most rivals. Combined with an 8/10 reliability score and 10% major repair probability, it's one of the most economical compact SUVs to own over time.

What is the best year for a Toyota RAV4?

The 2022 RAV4 is the standout used buy. It marks the first fully settled year of the fifth generation after a turbulent launch window — complaints dropped from 865 in 2019 to just 127 in 2022, with a 10/10 NHTSA safety score and only 13 severe issues. The 2022–2023 range is reliably strong. Be cautious with 2019–2021 models, which carried elevated complaint counts as Toyota worked through early fifth-gen issues.

How much does Toyota RAV4 insurance cost?

RAV4 insurance averages around $1,990/year, or about $166/month — nearly identical to the Honda CR-V and toward the lower end for compact SUVs. The RAV4's broad popularity means insurers price it competitively. Rates vary by trim, location, and driver history, but the RAV4 is consistently an affordable quote across most profiles.

Is the Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V cheaper to maintain?

The difference is minimal — the RAV4 averages $429/year versus $407/year for the CR-V, a gap of about $22 annually. Over five years that's roughly $110. Both are class leaders in maintenance cost. The CR-V scores slightly higher on reliability (9 vs. 8), but the RAV4's lower repair frequency (26% vs. 30%) means fewer unscheduled trips to the shop. Either is a sound long-term ownership choice.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Toyota RAV4?

Probably not for most buyers. The RAV4's major repair probability of 10% sits just below the compact segment average, and its 8/10 reliability score reflects a vehicle that holds up well with normal maintenance. If you're purchasing a 2019–2021 model used — which carried above-average complaints during the fifth generation's early years — adding powertrain coverage is a reasonable precaution. For 2022 and newer, the reliability case for an extended warranty is weak.

Chevrolet Suburban vs Toyota RAV4

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 Toyota RAV4 — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Chevrolet Suburban	Toyota RAV4
Annual maintenance	$944	$429winner
5-year total cost	$4,720	$2,145winner
Reliability score	6 / 10	8 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	15%	10%winner
Cargo space	144.5 cu ftwinner	70.4 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$66,000	$34,800winner
Best years to buy	—	2018, 2021, 2022

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Chevrolet Suburban	Toyota RAV4
RepairPal score	6 / 10	8 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	0winner	89
Years to avoid	2021, 2022, 2023	2012, 2013, 2014
Value retained · 3 yr	—	94.5%
Value retained · 5 yr	49.6%	75%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	—	62%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Chevrolet Suburban	Toyota RAV4
Engine	48.9%	15.5%winner
Electrical	5.7%winner	12.7%
ADAS	5.9%winner	9.7%
Brakes	2.8%winner	5.8%
Suspension	—winner	2.9%
Steering	—winner	3.9%
Fuel system	6.1%winner	7.9%
Tires/Wheels	1.9%winner	2.1%
Glass/Windows	1.4%winner	5.1%
Airbags	2.8%winner	7.8%
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	Toyota RAV4
Avg annual premium	$2,542	$1,990winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Chevrolet Suburban

$944/yr maint · 6 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Toyota RAV4

$429/yr maint · 8 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 →