How much does the 2021 Chevrolet Trax cost?

Prices have softened 12.41% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,599 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare. If you find a listing below $13,280.74, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Trax a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Chevrolet Trax earns a 5/5 user rating and a 5.83/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Technology at 8/10.

The Trax’s appeal is straightforward: it is an affordable subcompact SUV with helpful tech, easy-to-use infotainment, and a small footprint that makes it maneuverable in tight spaces. That makes it a practical fit if you want simple everyday transportation and value low entry cost over flash.

The trade-offs are just as clear. Expert testing calls out sluggish performance and poor ride quality, and the interior materials feel cheap. If you can live with those compromises, the Trax can still make sense as a budget-friendly city-friendly SUV.

29.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so there are still some attractive opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Trax reliable?

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

The Trax is described as an affordable, practical small SUV with helpful technology and a simple ownership proposition. Its turbocharged engine is described as sufficient around town, and the model’s compact size and maneuverability support easy daily use. The infotainment setup is also a plus for everyday ownership, since it is easy to use and built around straightforward controls.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about complexity and more about accepting a vehicle whose strengths are basic utility and affordability rather than refinement or strong performance.

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

At 69.4% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a close inspection of body panels, paint consistency, and signs of prior repair. Because the Trax’s value depends heavily on condition, it is worth paying extra attention to how well the interior, ride quality, and equipment have held up. If you are comparing multiple listings, focus on the ones with clean histories and the most complete feature sets for the money.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LS comes with a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The LT adds heated, power-adjustable side mirrors, rear window tint, roof rails, LED head- and taillights, remote start, cruise control, chrome belt-line moldings, silver-painted skid plates, upgraded cloth and leatherette seats, a cargo security cover, and a 120-volt AC power outlet. The LT also offers styling and convenience packages, while the base trim’s package adds tinted windows and cruise control.
• Powertrain: The Trax uses a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder with 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic. It is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and the engine is described as adequate around town but strained at highway speeds and during passing.
• Safety package: The Trax comes standard with airbags and a backup camera. The LT Convenience Package adds blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and rear parking sensors. Even so, the model does not offer forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, or lane-departure warning.
• Infotainment: Every trim gets a 7-inch touchscreen running Chevrolet Infotainment 3, plus Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, and an available WiFi hotspot. The system is described as easy to follow and supported by hard buttons and dials.
• Fuel efficiency: Front-wheel-drive models return 26 mpg city, 31 highway, and 28 combined. All-wheel-drive models return 24 mpg city, 29 highway, and 26 combined.

Which 2021 Chevrolet Trax trim should I buy?

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax is offered in 2 trim levels: LS and LT.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The LS is the value play, but it lacks the extra convenience and appearance upgrades found on the LT. It also starts with a very basic safety setup, since the standard equipment list is limited to airbags and a backup camera.
• Sweet-spot trim: The LT is the better pick if you want the Trax to feel more complete. It adds remote start, cruise control, roof rails, LED lighting, upgraded seating materials, and the available driver-assistance package.
• Premium/top trim: The LT is the top trim for this model year, and it brings the most comfort and convenience features in the lineup.

The LT Convenience Package is the safety-package note to watch, since it adds blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and rear parking sensors.

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

This is a moderate buyer’s market, so you can shop selectively and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 29.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,599 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.41% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 69.4% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $13,280.74, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Chevrolet Trax's resale value?

The current average of $13,294 sits slightly below last year's $15,178.

That price movement suggests the Trax has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help limit near-term downside for a future seller. If you buy at the right price and keep the vehicle in clean condition, you may have a better chance of preserving value than if you overpay today. The model’s affordability and easy-to-use tech can also help keep it relevant with budget-minded shoppers.

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 Trax safe?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 2021 Chevrolet Trax five out of five stars in crash tests. However, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) did not give the Trax either a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award.

It earns a 4/10 safety score from our experts.

The Trax comes standard with airbags and a backup camera, but that is the extent of its standard driver-assistance equipment. The LT Convenience Package adds blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and rear parking sensors, but the model still falls short of many rivals that offer forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning.

Should I buy a 2021 Chevrolet Trax 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:

• 29.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 69.4% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.41% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 model keeps the easy-to-use infotainment and city-friendly size that make the Trax appealing for budget-conscious shoppers.

The bottom line: If you want the Trax’s low-cost, easy-to-use formula and you find a clean example at a strong price, the 2021 model is the one to target. If you are especially price-sensitive, compare it carefully against other small SUVs, because the Trax’s strengths are mostly about affordability and simplicity rather than overall competence.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.