Used 2021 Chevrolet Traverse for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse cost?

Prices have softened 12.35% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,113 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for used shoppers.

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse a good car?

Yes — owners rate it 5/5, and our experts give it 6.67/10. The standout strength is Form and function at 8/10.

Owners consistently praise the spacious interior, the comfortable driving experience, and the strong power delivery. They also highlight the value for money and the useful feature set, though some note that the number of features can feel a bit overwhelming.

On the downside, the expert review points to poor handling and interior materials that feel cheap. In practical terms, that means you should expect a family-first SUV that prioritizes space and comfort over sharp dynamics or a premium cabin feel.

For a three-row crossover aimed at larger families, that trade-off makes sense if your priorities are everyday usefulness and room for people and cargo. The market still shows 32.5% good or great deals, so there are worthwhile listings to compare.

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback also points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with repeated praise for the vehicle’s long-term usefulness and the confidence it inspires day to day. The expert review reinforces that it feels solid in regular driving, with a quiet cabin and a comfortable, composed ride.

Chevy’s maintenance and warranty coverage is average for the segment, so used buyers should still pay close attention to service records and overall condition. A well-kept example is the safer long-term bet.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Chevrolet Traverse?

At 71.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and confirm whether any prior damage was repaired properly. A pre-purchase inspection matters here, especially if you’re comparing multiple listings with similar prices. Focus on body condition, signs of uneven wear, and whether the equipment you want is actually present on the trim you’re considering.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The L starts with 18-inch wheels, while higher trims can get 20-inch wheels, blacked-out or chrome styling details, and available appearance packages. The base trim is the most stripped-down choice, so you should compare equipment carefully if you want a more upscale feel.
• Powertrain: Every Traverse uses a 3.6-liter V6 with 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available.
• Safety package: Chevy offers driver-assistance features such as automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert, but many are optional rather than standard. Adaptive cruise control is only standard on the High Country.
• Infotainment: The standard setup includes a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Bluetooth. An 8-inch screen, navigation, 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot, and a Bose 10-speaker audio system are available on higher trims.
• Fuel efficiency: The Traverse is rated at 21 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 20 mpg combined with all-wheel drive.

Which 2021 Chevrolet Traverse trim should I buy?

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse is offered in 7 trim levels: L, LS, LT Cloth, LT Leather, RS, Premier, and High Country.

Here's the short version:

• L: This is the entry point, so it makes the most sense if you want the lowest price and can live with the most basic equipment. It gets the core Traverse space and V6 power, but you’ll want to compare it carefully against the next trim up if you care about convenience or style.
• LS: This is the first step up if you want a little more equipment without jumping too far in price. It should be the trim to check first if you want a value-oriented family SUV with a bit more content than the base model.
• LT Cloth: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it moves you into a more comfortable, better-equipped version of the Traverse without pushing into the pricier luxury-oriented trims.
• LT Leather: Choose this if you want a more upscale cabin feel and are willing to pay for it. It’s the better fit if interior comfort matters more to you than keeping the purchase price as low as possible.
• RS: This is the style-forward choice, with blacked-out trim and a sportier appearance. It suits you if you want the Traverse to look a little more distinctive without changing its family-hauling mission.
• Premier: This is the trim to consider if you want more convenience and tech, including features like wireless phone charging. It’s a strong pick if you want a more complete daily driver.
• High Country: This is the top-end choice, and it’s the one to buy if you want the most equipment, including standard adaptive cruise control. It makes the most sense if you want the most fully loaded Traverse available.

Chevy’s safety-tech lineup is thinner than some rivals’, and several driver-assistance features remain optional on lower trims.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Chevrolet Traverse?

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully without rushing every listing.

• Deal availability: 32.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,113 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.35% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 71.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $21,790, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse's resale value?

The current average of $21,790 sits slightly below last year's $24,859.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help future sellers if they buy at today’s lower level. If you purchase near the current average and keep the vehicle in strong condition, you may have a better chance of limiting depreciation pressure later.

Demand should remain supported by the Traverse’s family-friendly layout, but resale will still depend heavily on trim, mileage, condition, and accident history. Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse safe?

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse earns Good scores from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, with four-star ratings in frontal crash and rollover, and five-star ratings in side-impact tests.

It earns a 6/10 safety score from our experts.

Chevy offers a driver-assistance suite that includes automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert, but many of those features are optional rather than standard. Adaptive cruise control is only standard on the High Country trim.

There are also some caveats to keep in mind: IIHS headlight results vary by trim, and the Traverse’s standard safety equipment is less generous than what you’ll find on some rivals.

Should I buy a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 32.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 71.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.35% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 keeps the Traverse’s roomy three-row layout and strong V6 power while avoiding a wait for later updates.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $24,959, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $21,790 average.
• It adds wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The bottom line: If you want the better value today, the 2021 is the smarter buy because prices have eased and inventory is healthy. If you’re willing to spend more for the newer-year update, the 2022 is the secondary path for buyers who want the added tech.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.