CHEVROLET SUV RELIABILITY: RANKING EVERY MODEL

When it comes to buying a new SUV, reliability is paramount. With the cost of owning a vehicle climbing higher and higher each year, knowing that the car you pick is going to hold up well over the course of its lifetime is important. Knowing just how much you’re going to have to fork out once you’re out of your warranty period is also essential.

If you’re looking for an American-branded SUV, regardless of size, chances are that you’ve considered Chevrolet’s wide range. Chevy has jumped on the SUV bandwagon more than most, and they offer a wide array of choices, from subcompacts to massive truck platform SUVs. Their lineup offers great value for money and options that’ll suit just about anyone.

We take a dive into Chevy’s range of SUVs and uncover just how reliable they are. Using scores out of 100, these SUVs are ranked from least to most reliable, with each entry diving into the costs that you can expect when maintaining them and if there are any recalls you should be on the lookout for.

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In compiling this article, we have cross-referenced information about vehicle reliability, maintenance, and pricing from sources like J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, RepairPal, CarEdge, and Consumer Reports to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible. Please note that we have ranked the following models from least reliable to most reliable.

Chevrolet Suburban

Reliability Score: 78/100

If you've got a big family, and you're looking for a capable full-size SUV, then the Chevrolet Suburban should definitely be on your radar. It's offered in a number of different trim levels and can cater to whatever your needs might be, whether you want something simple, an off-roader, or something a little more luxurious. The 2024 model year carries over from 2023 with very few changes. However, things seem to be brewing on the horizon.

Reliability

The Suburban has been around for a long time, and that means there are tons of examples out there from different decades. The latest Suburban offers decent reliability, with its score putting it in J.D. Powers' 'Average' range. It sits on the higher end when it comes to maintenance costs, according to CarEdge. You do, however, get your first scheduled maintenance visit free with your purchase, which is more than most other manufacturers offer on this class of SUVs.

  • Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $944 (RepairPal)
  • Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $9,306 (CarEdge)
  • Total Recalls: 0
  • Worst Suburban Year To Buy Used: 1994

2024 Chevrolet Tahoe

Reliability Score: 81/100

The Chevrolet Tahoe is another great choice for those looking for a full-size SUV. While the longer Suburban offers more cargo space and interior room, the Tahoe is by no means small and still offers three rows of seating as standard. The 2024 Tahoe remains unchanged from 2023, but this isn't a bad thing. It is one of the best examples of a full-size SUV where practicality and capability meet, with its powerful and durable powertrain options and the off-road variant being extremely affordable.

Reliability

The Chevrolet Tahoe, while still sitting on the more expensive side of SUVs in terms of maintenance, is also cheaper than its bigger sibling. The Tahoe is also decently more reliable, according to J.D. Power, with a score of 81 out of 100 for quality and reliability. Once again, Chevrolet offers your first maintenance visit on the house, meaning you can at least have peace of mind for your first year of ownership so that you won't incur any crazy costs.

  • Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $744 (RepairPal)
  • Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $9,302 (CarEdge)
  • Total Recalls: 0
  • Worst Tahoe Year To Buy Used: 2007

2024 Chevrolet Traverse

Reliability Score: 82/100

Chevrolet's Traverse teeters on a fine line between being a full-size or mid-size SUV. It enters its 2024 model year completely refreshed, which is just in time as it was starting to feel a little dated. If the massive V-8-powered Tahoe and Suburban are overkill, but you still want enough room to cart your family around, the Traverse blends interior space with a sensible turbocharged inline-four as the only powertrain option.

Reliability

In terms of reliability, the 2024 Chevrolet Traverse sits in J.D. Powers' 'Great' category, with an 82 out of 100 for quality and reliability. Both in terms of its average yearly maintenance costs and its maintenance costs over the first ten years of ownership, the Traverse is cheaper than the average SUV. If you're looking for a used Traverse, be aware of 2010 and 2011 models as they underwent a number of recalls, and previous owners report tons of issues.

  • Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $656 (RepairPal)
  • Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $8,790 (CarEdge)
  • Total Recalls: 0
  • Worst Traverse Year To Buy Used: 2010/2011
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2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Reliability Score: 84/100

The Chevrolet Trailblazer is one of Chevy's newest additions to its lineup and has been mighty successful. They've taken the compact Blazer and shrunk it down into a subcompact offering. Going off of looks alone, the Trailblazer is one of the most attractive options on the market, with sharp and muscular styling. The subcompact class of SUVs is one that is super competitive and in a lot of ways, the Trailblazer just doesn't offer as much as some of its competition does. Key among this is its wimpy powertrain.

Reliability

What the Trailblazer does have going for it, however, is reliability. It scored an impressive 84 out of 100 for quality and reliability according to J.D. Power, putting it in the 'Great' category. Its average yearly maintenance is also close to the $500 mark, which makes it much cheaper to own and maintain than other SUVs on the market. If you're looking for a used Trailblazer, we'd suggest staying away from any first-generation models, as they tend to have tons of issues and will definitely rack up maintenance costs quickly.

  • Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $524 (RepairPal)
  • Total Recalls: 0
  • Worst Trailblazer Year To Buy Used: Any first-generation

2024 Chevrolet Blazer

Reliability Score: 88/100

Looking for a sporty mid-size SUV that has the chops to back up its styling? The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer has some intense curb appeal and also features responsive and exciting handling. It features a turbocharged inline-four to start but can easily be fitted with an exciting V-6, which not only increases performance but towing capacity as well. The Blazer isn't just showy, though, and it features a spacious and stylish interior that anyone would find comfortable.

Reliability

Chevrolet's Blazer does excellently when it comes to reliability and maintenance, beating most of its rivals quite substantially. Not only did the Blazer score an 88 out of 100 for quality and reliability, but it is also cheaper than the average SUV to maintain, according to CarEdge. There is, however, a caveat. The 2024 Blazer has been recalled due to an issue with the door strikers which may cause the door to open unexpectedly; a black mark against an otherwise exceptional SUV.

  • Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $431 (RepairPal)
  • Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $8,780 (CarEdge)
  • Total Recalls: 1
  • Worst Blazer Year To Buy Used: 1995
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2024 Chevrolet Equinox

Reliability Score: 90/100

Sitting behind the Silverado, Chevrolet's best-selling car is the Equinox. The value proposition of Chevrolet's compact SUV is hard to argue with. While it may not offer the highest levels of comfort or the most powerful powertrain, if you're looking for something simple that gets you from A to B without any fuss, then the Equinox is a great bet. The Equinox enters the 2024 model year unchanged; however, an electric variant has hit the shelves.

Reliability

The most reliable Chevrolet SUV that you can buy today is the Chevrolet Equinox. It may be number two on the list, but that is only because the next entry hasn't been rated yet. The Equinox achieves a stellar score of 90 out of 100 for quality and reliability and secures itself as one of the most reliable SUVs you can buy. Chevrolet has also kept costs relatively low when you do need to perform maintenance to add to the value proposition of this excellent compact crossover.

  • Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $537 (RepairPal)
  • Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $8,616 (CarEdge)
  • Total Recalls: 1
  • Worst Equinox Year To Buy Used: 2010
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2024 Chevrolet Trax

Reliability Score: Not Yet Rated

The Chevrolet Trax has been brought back from the dead for the 2024 model year. It gained size and interior space along with a bevy of new safety and tech features to boot. All this and Chevrolet has also somehow priced it cheaper than the outgoing model. It borrows its turbocharged inline-three from the smaller Trailblazer and its general design ideology from the Blazer. The Trax bridges the gap and leaves a unique mark.

Reliability

The Trax hasn't been rated in terms of its reliability and its maintenance costs yet due to it being so new. However, considering it borrows a lot of its parts from the rest of the Chevrolet SUV stable, it's safe to assume that its reliability and maintenance will be pretty on par, especially with the Trailblazer from which the Trax gets its powertrain.

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