Chevrolet has been in the automotive business since 1911, and over time, it has become one of the bestselling brands in the world. Today, Chevy’s lineup is packed with everything from low-budget supercars for those who prioritize performance to electric SUVs for families big on eco-friendliness.
However, Chevrolet is not exactly the most reliable automaker out there, as it earned a RepairPal reliability rating of just 3.5 out of 5.0. But not every Chevrolet crossover and SUV is a clunker. In fact, some of the most reliable vehicles you can find today have a Chevrolet badge on them.
All data related to the reliability of these Chevrolet SUVs were sourced from CarEdge, Car Complaints, J.D. Power, NHTSA, and RepairPal.
10 2009 Chevrolet HHR
Reliability Score: 80/100
You have to admit, the 2009 Chevrolet HHR looks pretty much like the Chrysler PT Cruiser, so it’s not exactly comfortable for a family of five. But if you want a reliable four-cylinder vehicle that won’t give you too many mechanical headaches, the HHR is worth considering.
Unlike the PT Cruiser, there are not that many complaints about the HHR experiencing serious jerks, power loss, and overheating. So, it’s not surprising it earned a J.D. Power reliability score of 80 out of 100, making it the most reliable model year.
Reliability
- Avg. Yearly Maintenance Costs: $530 (RepairPal)
- Recalls: 5
- Worst HHR Year To Buy Used: 2008 Chevrolet HHR (power steering failure, engine stalls, excessive brake vibration)
9 2012 Chevrolet Suburban
Reliability Score: 81/100
There’s no denying that the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban is a massive SUV and can be quite a chore to fit into crowded parking lots or maneuver around tight corners. But the eight-seater SUV will not be too much of a thorn in the flesh.
The 5.3-liter V8 FlexFuel and 6.0-liter V8 engines are not prone to shutting off right after acceleration, unlike the 2012 Toyota Sequoia. Also, you most likely won’t have to deal with hood corrosion that plagues the 2012 Ford Expedition. So, a J.D. Power reliability score of 81 out of 100 for the Suburban is well-deserved.
Reliability
- Avg. Yearly Maintenance Costs: $835 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Costs During First 10 Years: $9,306 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 5
- Worst Suburban Year To Buy Used: 2007 Chevrolet Suburban (excessive oil consumption, engine and transmission failure)
8 2019 Chevrolet Trax
Reliability Score: 81/100
The Chevrolet Trax entered the subcompact crossover SUV in 2015, setting its sights on the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-3. Sadly, the only engine available for the first generation Trax is a 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-4, which makes just 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque.
While the engine can only foster tepid acceleration, you can count on it to stand the test of time. By 2019, paint peeling, engine failure, and power steering failure are no longer recurring themes in the Trax. It gets a reliability score of 81/100 from J.D. Power.
Reliability
- Avg. Yearly Maintenance Costs: $488 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Costs During First 10 Years: $8,512 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 2
- Worst Trax Year To Buy Used: 2016 Chevrolet Trax (defective driveshaft, power loss, engine failure, paint peeling)
7 2021 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
Reliability Score: 81/100
Let’s face it, the 2021 Chevrolet TrailBlazer is not exactly comfortable for six-foot rear passengers, and it fails to deliver serious off-road chops. The turbocharged inline-3 is not exactly the most powerful engine found in compact SUVs, but it won’t have you running to the mechanic every other Thursday.
Unlike the Mazda CX-30, you won’t need a new quart of oil every 500–1000 miles for the TrailBlazer. According to J.D. Power, the 2021 TrailBlazer is just as reliable as the 2012 Suburban, while still being sporty and stylish.
Reliability
- Avg. Yearly Maintenance Costs: $524 (RepairPal)
- Recalls: 4
- Worst TrailBlazer Year To Buy Used: 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer (faulty fuel gauge, engine failure, squeaking noise, brake light malfunction)
6 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe
Reliability Score: 83/100
If you want a full-size body-on-frame SUV that deals with bad weather or rough roads without forcing you to visit the repair shop regularly, the third-generation Chevrolet Tahoe is one of the best used options.
Chevy offers only a 5.3-liter V8 for the 2014 Tahoe, but unlike the Honda Pilot, you don’t have to worry about defective spark plugs, excessive oil consumption, and misfires. Earning a J.D. Power reliability score of 83/100 makes the 2014 Tahoe the most reliable third-gen model.
Reliability
- Avg. Yearly Maintenance Costs: $746 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Costs During First 10 Years: $9,302 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 3
- Worst Tahoe Year To Buy Used: 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe (engine failure, excessive oil consumption, dashboard cracks)
5 2020 Chevrolet Suburban
Reliability Score: 83/100
The 2020 Chevrolet Suburban is not only the most reliable 11th-generation model, but also reasonably fuel-efficient while delivering muscular capabilities with some decent off-road chops.
Although it’s still pretty new, there are no serious concerns about the reliability of the 5.3-liter V8 and 6.2-liter V8. You won’t have to worry about the 6-speed automatic transmission jerking out of control or becoming difficult to shift. So, the 2020 Suburban receives an excellent reliability rating of 83/100 from J.D. Power.
Reliability
- Avg. Yearly Maintenance Costs: $944 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Costs During First 10 Years: $9,306 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 3
- Worst Year Suburban To Buy Used: 2016 Chevrolet Suburban (transmission failure, paint fading, and misfires)
4 2020 Chevrolet Blazer
Reliability Score: 86/100
If you are in the market for a modern, reliable, and powerful two-row SUV, you will be glad to know the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer comes with a new turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and a streamlined dashboard that houses Camaro-inspired center vents.
While 2020 Ford Edge owners complain about their SUVs jerking at low speeds and the engine cutting off on the highway, according to Car Complaints, Blazer owners don’t have to go through all that trouble. In fact, with a J.D. Power reliability score of 86/100, the Blazer is one of the most reliable midsize SUVs for 2020.
Reliability
- Avg. Yearly Maintenance Costs: $431 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Costs During First 10 Years: $8,780 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 3
- Worst Blazer Year To Buy Used: 2019 Chevrolet Blazer (faulty seat belts, Eco stop/start malfunction, rear visibility issues)
3 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe
Reliability Score: 87/100
You will love the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe if you place reliability and utility above all else in a full-size SUV. Taller passengers may find the third row a bit cramped, but they won’t have to deal with transmission shifting issues, stalling, or having to push the pedal all the way to the ground like 2020 Ford Expedition owners, according to complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
So far, the only NHTSA-reported issue with the 2020 Tahoe’s 5.3-liter V8 is that fumes from the engine oil may get sucked into the AC air intake. So, earning a J.D. Power reliability score of 87/100 seems appropriate.
Reliability
- Avg. Yearly Maintenance Costs: $744 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Costs During First 10 Years: $9,302 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 3
- Worst Tahoe Year To Buy Used: 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe (14 recalls, faulty brakes, oil leaks, and hood cracks)
2 2015 Chevrolet Traverse
Reliability Score: 88/100
You should consider adding the 2015 Chevrolet Traverse to your short list of large SUVs if you want a well-built eight-seater SUV. The three-row SUV is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 that’s by no means perfect, but won’t knock or fail as much as the Kia Sorento’s 2.4-liter 4-cylinder.
You can also be sure that the Traverse’s 6-speed automatic transmission with a manual-shift mode won’t jerk and shudder like the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder’s continuously variable automatic. J.D. Power considers the 2015 iteration to be the most reliable Traverse, with a score of 88/100.
Reliability
- Avg. Yearly Maintenance Costs: $554 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Costs During First 10 Years: $8,790 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 5
- Worst Traverse Year To Buy Used: 2011 Chevrolet Traverse (engine failure, engine power loss, power steering failure, and brake problems)
1 2017 Chevrolet Equinox
Reliability Score: 89/100
The 2017 Chevrolet Equinox may appear big on the outside, but it’s actually small on the inside. Its standard 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine is also not very energetic, but if you prioritize reliability over performance and comfort, this Equinox is just what you need.
Unlike the 2017 Honda CR-V’s 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 and 2.4-liter inline-4, the Equinox’s engine does not tend to have gas smell spreading into the cabin. And while 2017 Ford Edge owners are no strangers to paint peeling and transmission failure, Equinox owners can rest easy because they probably won’t ever suffer the same plight. So, earning a J.D. Power reliability score of 89/100 is a no-brainer for the 2017 Equinox.
Reliability
- Avg. Yearly Maintenance Costs: $443 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Costs During First 10 Years: $8,616 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 0
- Worst Equinox Year To Buy Used: 2006 Chevrolet Equinox (gasket head damage, engine failure, bad rotors)