Used 2021 Chevrolet Traverse for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse cost?

Prices have softened 13.27% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,124 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse a good car?

Yes — owners rate it 5/5, and the expert rating is 6.7/10. The standout strength is Form and function at 8/10.

Owners consistently praise the spacious interior, strong power, and overall driving experience. The user feedback also points to impressive features and good value for money, while noting that the feature set can feel a bit overwhelming for some drivers.

That lines up with the Traverse’s role as a three-row family hauler: it’s built around room and everyday usability, not flash. The trade-offs are a poor value proposition and a driving experience that’s competent rather than especially polished.

The market still shows 33.4% good or great deals, so you have room to shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?

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

User feedback emphasizes that the Traverse feels dependable and trouble-free enough to earn strong owner loyalty, especially for shoppers who want a vehicle they can count on over time. The expert evaluation also describes it as a competent vehicle for family use, with a powertrain and highway manners that support everyday dependability.

The ownership picture is helped by average warranty coverage, but used buyers should still pay close attention to maintenance records and overall condition, especially on higher-mileage examples.

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

At 68.4% 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 is especially important on a family SUV like this, since condition can vary widely across heavily used examples. Focus on signs of wear in the cabin, evidence of uneven maintenance, and anything that suggests the vehicle has been used hard.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The L trim starts with 18-inch wheels, while higher trims can add 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: The Traverse uses a 3.6-liter V6 with 310 horsepower and a nine-speed automatic. It delivers strong highway passing power and can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.
• Safety package: The available driver-assistance features include adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Some of these features are optional rather than standard, and adaptive cruise control is limited to the High Country trim.
• Infotainment: Standard equipment includes a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims can add an 8-inch screen, navigation, 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot, and a Bose 10-speaker audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: EPA ratings are 21 mpg combined, 18 mpg city, and 27 mpg highway with front-wheel drive, or 20 mpg combined, 17 mpg city, and 25 mpg highway 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 sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the Traverse’s space and V6 power. It’s the trim to consider if you care most about value and plan to add only the equipment you truly need.
• LS: This is the logical step up if you want a little more everyday convenience without moving too far up the price ladder. It should suit you if you want a practical family SUV with a bit more equipment than the base model.
• LT Cloth: This is the best-value choice for many shoppers because it moves you into a more comfortable, better-equipped version of the Traverse without jumping straight to 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 budget tight.
• RS: This trim adds a darker, sportier look and was the test vehicle in the expert review. It’s a good fit if you want style and a well-rounded equipment mix, though it still doesn’t change the Traverse’s core mission.
• Premier: This is the trim to consider if you want more premium features, including wireless phone charging as standard. It suits you if you want a more fully loaded family SUV.
• High Country: This is the top trim and the one to choose if you want the most equipment, including standard adaptive cruise control. It’s the best fit if you want the most complete Traverse experience and don’t mind paying for it.

Safety-package note: adaptive cruise control is only standard on the High Country, while many other driver-assist features remain optional on lower trims.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 33.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,124 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.27% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 68.4% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $20,760, 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 $20,760 sits slightly below last year's $23,937.

That decline suggests the Traverse has become more affordable on the used market, which can help you buy in at a lower entry point. For a future seller, though, it also means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and equipment level.

Because the model is still in demand as a roomy family SUV, well-kept examples should remain easier to move than neglected ones. Higher-trim vehicles with desirable features may also hold buyer interest better than stripped-down versions.

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 Traverse earns Good IIHS crash-test scores 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’s driver-assistance list includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The catch is that several of those features are optional rather than standard, and adaptive cruise control is reserved for the High Country trim.

The safety picture is strong on crash performance, but you should pay attention to trim level because headlight performance varies and the available safety tech is less generous than what some rivals offer.

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:

• 33.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 68.4% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.27% 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 the wait for later updates.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $24,012, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $20,760 average.
• It adds updated styling and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2021 is the smarter buy because prices are softer and inventory is healthy. If you’re willing to spend more for the newer model-year updates, the 2022 is the cleaner alternative.

How does the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse compare to the 2021 GMC Acadia?

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.