Used 2021 Chevrolet Traverse for Sale near Illinois

How much does the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse cost?

Prices have softened 11.95% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,115 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse earns a 5/5 user rating and a 6.67/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Form and function at 8/10.

Owners consistently praise the spacious interior, excellent driving experience, and strong value for money. They also highlight the power it delivers, along with the useful feature set. On the other hand, the expert review points to poor handling and interior materials that feel cheap, so you should expect a family-first SUV rather than a polished luxury feel.

That lines up with the Traverse’s role as a three-row crossover for larger families: it prioritizes room and everyday usefulness over sharp dynamics or upscale finishes. With 31.8% of listings marked as good or great deals, there’s also a decent amount of market flexibility if you shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?

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

Owner feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with repeated praise for the Traverse’s spaciousness and the confidence it gives families over time. The expert review also describes the powertrain as solid for highway merging and overtaking, and notes that the cabin stays quiet and comfortable on the road.

Chevy’s warranty coverage is average for the segment, so your long-term ownership risk is less about basic durability and more about finding a well-kept example with a clean maintenance history.

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 then prioritize a thorough pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage or lower-priced example. Focus on body condition, signs of prior repair, and whether the cabin and electronics still feel consistent with the mileage and asking price.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Traverse is offered in L, LS, LT Cloth, LT Leather, RS, Premier, and High Country trims. The base L gets 18-inch wheels, while higher trims can add 20-inch wheels, blacked-out or chrome styling details, and available appearance packages. The higher-level cabin also benefits from the optional Dual SkyScape two-panel sunroof.
• 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 optional. The powertrain is strong enough for highway passing, though the transmission can shift roughly at times.
• Safety package: Chevy offers a suite that can include automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. Adaptive cruise control is only standard on the High Country trim, so lower trims may leave you with fewer driver-assistance features than rivals.
• Infotainment: Standard equipment includes a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims can add an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot, and a Bose 10-speaker audio system. Wireless phone charging is standard only on the Premier and High Country models.
• Fuel efficiency: The Traverse is rated at 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, and it makes sense if you want the lowest price and are comfortable with a simpler equipment list. It gets the basics, but you’ll want to compare it carefully against higher trims if you care about convenience or safety tech.
• LS: This is the first step up if you want a little more equipment without moving too far up the price ladder. It’s a sensible middle-ground choice for shoppers who want value without going all the way to the more expensive trims.
• LT Cloth: This trim is a good fit if you want a more family-friendly balance of features and price. It’s the kind of version that can make the Traverse feel better equipped without pushing you into premium-trim territory.
• LT Leather: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds a more upscale cabin feel while staying below the top-end models. If you want the Traverse to feel more comfortable and less basic, this is the trim to target first.
• RS: This trim leans into styling, with blacked-out trim and a sportier appearance. It suits you if you care about looks and want a Traverse that stands out a bit more.
• Premier: This is the trim to consider if you want a more fully equipped family SUV. It’s where convenience features start to stack up, including wireless phone charging.
• High Country: This is the top trim and the one to choose if you want the most equipment, including adaptive cruise control as standard. It’s the best fit if you want the most complete Traverse experience and are willing to pay for it.

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

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 31.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,115 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.95% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 71.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $21,867, 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 $21,871 sits slightly below last year's $24,839.

That price decline suggests the Traverse has become more affordable for used buyers, but it also means sellers may need to price competitively to move a vehicle. If you’re planning to sell later, the current market shows that demand is still present, but buyers are clearly value-conscious. Well-equipped trims and clean-history examples should hold up better than rougher or less desirable listings.

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 top “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 all other NHTSA tests.

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

Chevy’s driver-assistance suite can include automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. However, the Traverse offers less standard driver-assist tech than many rivals, and adaptive cruise control is only standard on the High Country trim.

The safety picture is strong overall, but you should pay attention to trim level because some useful features are optional rather than standard, and headlight ratings vary by trim.

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:

• 31.8% 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 11.95% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 keeps the Traverse’s roomy, practical family-SUV formula while avoiding the wait for later updates.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $24,949, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $21,871 average.
• It adds wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which improves everyday convenience.

The bottom line: If you want the better value today, the 2021 is the smarter path because prices have eased and inventory is healthy. If you’re willing to pay more for a newer model year and want the added convenience of the next-year update, the 2022 is the secondary path to consider.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.