2012 Chevrolet Suburban — Full Specifications
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The 2012 Chevrolet Suburban is an SUV offered with 2 engines (5.3L 8-cyl, 6L 8-cyl). Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 20 mpg (UK) / 17 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 14–20 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Chevrolet Suburban workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2011 Chevrolet Suburban: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 20 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. It holds a 4★ overall NHTSA rating (none is on record for the 2011 model).
Full Specifications
| Engine (most efficient) | 5.3L 8-cyl |
|---|---|
| Engine options | 5.3L 8-cyl · 6L 8-cyl |
| Transmission (most efficient) | Automatic 6-spd |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | 4-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 20 combined / 18 urban / 25 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 17 combined / 15 city / 21 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 325 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,950 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 4 configurations for the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban across 2 engines (5.3L 8-cyl, 6L 8-cyl). Combined fuel economy ranges from 12 to 17 mpg (US), or 14 to 20 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 20 | 17 (15/21) | 325 | $3,950 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 17 (15/21) | 325 | $3,950 |
| 6L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 14 | 12 (10/16) | 460 | $5,600 |
| 6L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 12 (10/16) | 460 | $5,600 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban
Running Costs: 2012 Chevrolet Suburban
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2012 Chevrolet Suburban at 20 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,818 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,950 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2012 Chevrolet Suburban Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists no safety recall campaigns for the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban as of 6 October 2026. Recalls can be issued years after a model is sold, so it is still worth checking your own VIN.
Owners have filed 101 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban. The most-reported areas are Unspecified (38), Air bags (25), Structure (23). Complaints include 3 reported crashes, 2 reported fires, 2 reported injuries. That is close to the median of 118 complaints across the 17 Chevrolet Suburban model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Air bags (25 owner complaints) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Body structure (23 owner complaints) — Inspect for corrosion and for subframe or body-panel damage, especially underneath.
- Engine (12 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Chevrolet Suburban compare to similar SUVs? For context, SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 20 mpg figure is 7 mpg below that average. Its 325 g/km CO₂ figure is 72 g/km higher than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
Chevrolet models in our database average about 29 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban's 20 mpg is 9 mpg below that make average. Its 325 g/km CO₂ figure is 79 g/km higher than the 246 g/km Chevrolet average.
Of the 17 Chevrolet Suburban model years we cover, the 2012 ranks 13th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (20 mpg UK combined, against a high of 28 mpg). See every Chevrolet Suburban year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban have?
EPA lists 2 engines for the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban: 5.3L 8-cyl, 6L 8-cyl. The most fuel-efficient configuration pairs the 5.3L 8-cyl with a automatic 6-spd.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban?
The most efficient configuration returns around 20 mpg (UK) combined, or 17 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 14 to 20 mpg.
How much does the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,950 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 4 stars, with 5 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban have any recalls?
NHTSA lists no safety recall campaigns for the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban as of 6 October 2026. Recalls can be issued years after a model is sold, so it is still worth checking your own VIN.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban?
Among the 101 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Unspecified (38 complaints), Air bags (25 complaints), Structure (23 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Chevrolet Suburban's fuel economy good for an SUV?
It returns around 20 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track.