The Best Large SUV for Families Only Has Average Reliability
Family SUVs have a tough job to do. These bigger vehicles need room for the whole family and to get everyone around town safely. However, one of the best large SUVs for families has less-than-stellar reliability scores. Where did the 2023 Chevrolet Suburban go wrong? Check out the case for this family SUV, with average reliability scores aside.
Why is the Chevrolet Suburban the best large SUV for families?
When it comes down to it, the 2023 Chevrolet Suburban is one of the best large SUVs for families because it has plenty of space in the cabin and a comfortable interior. As a brand-new SUV, the 2023 Suburban has the most updated technology. The 2023 Suburban’s price also increased slightly over the 2022 model, which hasn’t been the case with most vehicles.
U.S. News gave the Chevrolet Suburban high marks for performance, interior, and safety. As such, it has room for eight passengers throughout all three rows. Chevy offers the ability to seat nine in one configuration with three bench seats. Otherwise, seating for seven to eight passengers is available.
All seats are comfortable and have enough space for adults, except in that nine-passenger configuration. That can get a little cramped throughout the cabin. Chevrolet included many creature comforts like a power liftgate and wireless charging on some trims.
How reliable is the best large SUV for families?
Even though the 2023 Chevrolet Suburban is the best large SUV for families, it only earned average reliability ratings. J.D. Power gave the 2023 Suburban a predicted reliability score of 75, landing it in the “average” category. Beyond a reliability score, J.D. Power gave the Suburban high marks for resale and driving experience. A base model will run you around $55,500 for 2023, while the fully-loaded Suburban hits $79,100 without any additions.
When asked about what drivers appreciate in the large Chevrolet SUV, the cabin was noted to be loud and did not insulate from outside noise. Others complained that the Suburban was too hard to park, but that is almost to be expected from a vehicle capable of carrying nine around town.
Chevrolet offers three pretty reliable engine options, too. The base option is a 5.3L V8, but a 6.2L V8 and a 3.0L turbo diesel inline-six are also available. All of these options probably helped with the reliability score, but one area held it back. Drivers and experts complain that the dashboard-mounted gear selector can be finicky. When you might be driving an entire soccer team around town, choosing the correct gear shouldn’t be so complicated.
How safe is Chevy’s large family SUV?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the Chevy Suburban a four-star overall safety rating. It remains one of the best large SUVs for families, protecting passengers in most situations. The NHTSA gave the Suburban high marks for the front driver side, overall side, and rollover ratings. Additionally, the Suburban’s recommended safety technologies passed the performance criteria. These systems include Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, and Crash Imminent Braking.
Other standard driver-assistance features include front and rear parking sensors, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. Lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist and automatic high-beam headlights are also standard equipment. Chevy’s Super Cruise system with semi-autonomous highway driving mode, automated steering, acceleration, and braking is an available feature. This is helpful for those who might take long road trips regularly.
Either way, the Chevy Suburban seems like a slam-dunk for the best large SUV for families. Keeping up with routine maintenance is one of the best ways to keep your SUV running at its best, especially if you regularly carry the whole family around town. Don’t skip those oil changes, especially if they come free for the first year or so.
