2016 Chevrolet Suburban

GM Authority (opens in a new tab) notes the fourth-generation K2XX Suburban debuted for 2015 as an all-new model that sold well despite a noticeable price increase, and that 2016 brings new colors, technology and updates that mirror the Tahoe's. Carvana (opens in a new tab) calls the year mainly a technology update led by Apple CarPlay and a standard 8-inch touchscreen, with updated MyLink infotainment, Teen Driver and other in-dash features, and says the V-8 powertrain and basic SUV carry over.

Midway Chevrolet (opens in a new tab), a Chevrolet dealer, adds brand-new exterior colors, an enhanced Driver Alert Package, Connected Radio with Wi-Fi and an available head-up display. EPA rates the 2016 Suburban at 18 to 19 mpg combined with an annual fuel cost of $3,300 to $3,450, and Kelley Blue Book lists 15/22 to 16/23 mpg city and highway.

NHTSA lists six recall campaigns for the 2016 Suburban. Two involve the air bags: 16V651000, where under certain driving conditions the air-bag sensing module software can run a diagnostic test during which the frontal air bags and belt pretensioners would not deploy in a crash (dealers reflash the software), and 17V437000, for vehicles that did not receive the complete software update from the first recall. Two involve braking: 19V645000, where the vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time and dealers reprogram the electronic brake control module, and 19V761000, where a failed wheel-speed sensor at 41 to 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode can make the control module activate the driveline-protection system. The others are 16V256000, front upper control arms with inadequate welds near the bushing that dealers replace, and 17V033000, a convex instead of flat right-hand outside mirror.

Owners have filed 220 complaints with NHTSA on this model year: service brakes lead with 82, then power train with 45, engine with 27, electrical system with 26 and unknown or other with 26. Consumer Reports (opens in a new tab) rates the 2016 Suburban less reliable than other cars from the same model year. Chevy Guide (opens in a new tab) says it can be reliable if serviced on schedule, but lists infotainment freezes, Bluetooth problems, backup-camera issues and intermittent warning lights among reported faults, and adds that reliability is not the same as low ownership cost.

Kelley Blue Book (opens in a new tab) lists the cheapest 2016 Suburban, the LS, at a Fair Purchase Price of $14,000, with trade-in values of about $6,775 to $10,950 and private-party values of about $12,550 to $15,950 depending on trim. The large gap between private-party and trade-in values means selling it yourself is worth the effort.

EPA rates the 2016 Suburban at 18 to 19 mpg combined and $3,300 to $3,450 a year in fuel, the 2016 Ford Expedition at 16 to 18 and $3,450 to $3,900 and the Toyota Sequoia at 14 to 15 and $4,150 to $4,450. On EPA figures the Suburban is the most efficient of the three full-size SUVs and the Sequoia the thirstiest, so fuel cost is where the three differ most.