Chevrolet Suburban

Name: 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
Brand: Chevrolet

EPA MPG: NA

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: NA

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There are 8 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 8 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 8 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 8 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

See All Ratings & Specs

Road Test

This Texas-size wagon becomes your home-on-wheels on a long cross country trip. Ride, handling and braking are much improved over its truck-like predecessor. The Suburban seats eight comfortably with room for their luggage. Parking is still awkward and fuel economy is not great.

2003 SUVs Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Chevrolet Suburba...

Chevrolet Suburban

vs. Similar Cars

Chevrolet Tahoe

GMC Yukon

GMC Yukon XL

Toyota Sequoia

See All Models Reliability

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Chevrolet vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

View all Owner Satisfaction

Chevrolet vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Chevrolet vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

2003 Large SUVs Ratings

2003 Chevrolet Suburban

$3,575 - $5,775

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Chevrolet Blazer

$2,975 - $3,650

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Chevrolet Tahoe

$4,000 - $6,250

EPA MPG 15 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Dodge Durango

$3,150 - $4,425

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Ford Expedition

$3,250 - $4,575

EPA MPG 15 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 GMC Yukon

$3,500 - $5,500

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 GMC Yukon XL

$4,200 - $6,450

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Toyota Sequoia

$5,225 - $6,050

EPA MPG 15 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

See All Large SUVs Ratings

Features & Specs

4-door SUV

3 front, 3 rear, 3 third

4WD, Rear

5.3-liter V8 (285 hp)

4-speed automatic

Join Consumer Reports cu. ft.

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties

See All Ratings & Specs

Model History

2021-Present

Current Generation

The new for 2021 Suburban enters the modern era with an independent rear suspension that improved ride comfort, handling and third-row room. This is a massive vehicle that’s very functional, comfortable and high-tech. The standard 5.3-liter V8 is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and together the powertrain supplies plenty of predictable uninterrupted power. The ride is comfortable but steadier in the Premier trim. Handling is rather ponderous but safe. The enormous cabin is eerily quiet. Controls are mostly straightforward to use except for the tricky gear selector which was replaced with a more traditional column-mounted design for 2025. It’s a big step to get into the Suburban and the tall hood cuts forward visibility. Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection are standard. Updates for 2022 include standard lane keeping assistance and lane departure warning. Significant changes for the refreshed 2025 model include a larger 17.7-inch infotainment screen, a more powerful diesel engine and automatic emergency braking that functions at highway speeds.

2015-2020

2015 Redesign Year

The 2015 redesign brought a sumptuous and quiet interior, power folding second- and third row seats, as well as optional advanced safety features. It's also more fuel-efficient than previous models. Cabin finish and in-dash electronics are much improved. The interior is considerably quieter too. LT and LTZ models include standard forward-collision and lane-departure warning systems. We'd also get the optional blind-spot monitoring system, which is helpful for keeping track of flanking vehicles. If your budget allows, get the LTZ version because the available Magnetic Ride Control package significantly improves emergency handling, as well as ride quality. Changes for 2016 include available Apple CarPlay capability, a heads-up display and lane-keeping assist.

2007-2014

2007 Redesign Year

More agility, better steering and brakes, along with a more efficient six-speed automatic transmission arrived with the 2007 redesign. The interior was also significantly upgraded, but the third-row seats lack thigh support and don't fold into the floor, as some competitors' did by then. The full-time four-wheel-drive system is a plus.

2000-2006

2000 Redesign Year

An immensely capable offering, GM's largest SUV can seat up to nine people, haul massive loads, or tow big trailers. Sharing its basic platform with GM's pickups, power comes from a strong-but-thirsty 5.3-liter V8. Ride, handling and braking are much improved over its predecessor, but parking is awkward and fuel economy, as you might imagine, is on the poor side.