Archived model-year dossier
2021 Chevrolet Traverse
The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse adds an 8-inch driver information display, available wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Safety Alert Seat and a Redline Edition, with the 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 and nine-speed automatic unchanged. NHTSA lists three recalls and 89 complaints, led by electrical (22). Used ones run $17,000 to $26,300 at dealers per Kelley Blue Book.
Configurations2
Model/option labels2
Combined efficiency20–21 MPG/MPGe
Electric rangeNot listed
Decision answers4
What changed on the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse
J.D. Power (opens in a new tab) says the 2021 Traverse gets revised instrumentation with an 8-inch driver information display, available wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a new Safety Alert Seat system, and that Chevrolet leaves the 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V6, nine-speed automatic and drivetrain unchanged. The Redline Edition adds black and red styling on the Premier, with 20-inch gloss black wheels and black badging.
Kelley Blue Book (opens in a new tab) lists ratings of 17/25 to 18/27 mpg, and its price page puts used 2021 Traverses at $17,000 for the L up to $26,300 for the High Country at a dealer.
Recalls and problems owners report
NHTSA lists three recall campaigns for the 2021 Traverse. 21V472000 covers certain 2021 Traverses and Enclaves that received incorrect air bag calibration software during dealer service, which may affect frontal air bag deployment. 22V210000 covers a roof rail air bag harness connector with incompatible electrical terminals. 21V817000 is a Braun Corporation recall of wheelchair-accessible Traverses with the Power In-floor Ramp conversion.
Owners have filed 89 complaints: electrical system with 22, unknown or other with 19, power train with 15, engine with 11, service brakes with 9 and engine cooling with 7. ProblemsByVin (opens in a new tab) summarizes the record, and Consumer Reports (opens in a new tab) keeps a reliability page.
2021 Traverse against the Explorer, Acadia, Highlander and Pilot
EPA rates the 2021 Traverse at 20 to 21 mpg combined and $2,950 to $3,100 a year in fuel. The Ford Explorer lists 19 to 27 at $2,300 to $3,300, the GMC Acadia 21 to 25 at $2,500 to $2,950, the Toyota Highlander 23 to 36 at $1,750 to $2,700, and the Honda Pilot 22 to 23 at $2,700 to $2,850. Only the lowest-rated Explorer is thirstier.
Trim-by-trim specifications
The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse: 6 trims compared.
Kelley Blue Book specifications, one row per trim.
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drive | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | EPA city / hwy / comb | Seats | Basic warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L | 3.6-liter V6 | Automatic, 9-Spd | FWD | 310 | 266 | 18 / 27 / 21 mpg | 8 | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| LS | 3.6-liter V6 | Automatic, 9-Spd | FWD | 310 | 266 | 18 / 27 / 21 mpg | 8 | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| LT | 3.6-liter V6 | Automatic, 9-Spd | FWD | 310 | 266 | 18 / 27 / 21 mpg | 8 | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| RS | 3.6-liter V6 | Automatic, 9-Spd | FWD | 310 | 266 | 18 / 27 / 21 mpg | 7 | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| Premier | 3.6-liter V6 | Automatic, 9-Spd | AWD | 310 | 266 | 17 / 25 / 20 mpg | 7 | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| High Country | 3.6-liter V6 | Automatic, 9-Spd | AWD | 310 | 266 | 17 / 25 / 20 mpg | 7 | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| Trim | Length | Height | Wheelbase | Turning circle | Fuel tank | Front headroom | Front legroom | Towing | Tires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L | 204.3 in | 70.7 in | 120.9 in | 39 ft | 19.4 gal | 41.3 in | 41 in | 1,500 lb | P255/65R18 |
| LS | 204.3 in | 70.7 in | 120.9 in | 39 ft | 19.4 gal | 41.3 in | 41 in | 1,500 lb | P255/65R18 |
| LT | 204.3 in | 70.7 in | 120.9 in | 39 ft | 19.4 gal | 41.3 in | 41 in | 1,500 lb | P255/65R18 |
| RS | 204.3 in | 70.7 in | 120.9 in | 39 ft | 19.4 gal | 41.3 in | 41 in | 1,500 lb | P255/55R20 |
| Premier | 204.3 in | 70.7 in | 120.9 in | 39 ft | 21.7 gal | 41.3 in | 41 in | 5,000 lb | P255/55R20 |
| High Country | 204.3 in | 70.7 in | 120.9 in | 39 ft | 21.7 gal | 39.6 in | 41 in | 5,000 lb | P255/55R20 |
Equipment by trim
Which 2021 Chevrolet Traverse trim has what.
Std is standard, Opt is optional, a dash means Kelley Blue Book lists it as not available.
| Equipment | L | LS | LT | RS | Premier | High Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safety | ||||||
| Anti-theft alarm | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Blind-spot alert | – | – | Opt | Std | Std | Std |
| Child door locks | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Child-seat anchors | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Forward collision warning | – | Opt | Opt | Std | Std | Std |
| Forward collision warning with automatic braking | – | Opt | Opt | Std | Std | – |
| Rearview camera | Std | Std | Std | – | – | – |
| Surround-view camera | – | – | Opt | Std | Std | Std |
| Rear parking sensors | – | Opt | Opt | Std | Std | Std |
| Electronic stability control | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Traction control | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Technology | ||||||
| Bluetooth audio streaming | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Bluetooth | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Hands-free calling | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Built-in internet access | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Navigation system | – | – | Opt | Std | Std | Std |
| Rear-seat DVD entertainment | – | Opt | Opt | Opt | Opt | Opt |
| Satellite radio | – | – | Std | – | – | – |
| Apple CarPlay or Android Auto | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Steering-wheel audio controls | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Touchscreen | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Voice recognition | – | – | Opt | Std | Std | Std |
| Parental (teen-driver) controls | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Comfort | ||||||
| Heated front seats | – | – | Opt | Std | Std | Std |
| Heated rear seats | – | – | – | – | Std | Std |
| Heated steering wheel | – | – | Opt | Std | Std | Std |
| Heated mirrors | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Power front seats for driver and passenger | – | – | Opt | Std | Std | Std |
| Power driver's seat | – | Opt | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Leather seats | – | – | Opt | Std | Std | Std |
| Leather-wrapped steering wheel | – | – | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Front and rear climate zones | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Panoramic moonroof | – | – | Opt | Opt | Opt | Std |
| Tilt steering wheel | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel | – | – | – | – | Std | Std |
| Cup holders | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Third-row seat | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Power-folding third-row seat | – | – | – | – | – | Std |
| Folding rear seat | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Exterior and convenience | ||||||
| Alloy wheels | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Fog lights | – | – | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Privacy glass | – | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Roof rails | – | – | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Power liftgate or trunk | – | – | Opt | Std | Std | Std |
| 12-volt power outlet | – | – | Opt | Std | Std | Std |
| Power windows | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Remote keyless entry | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Remote engine start | – | – | Opt | Std | Std | Std |
| Cruise control | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Integrated garage-door opener | – | Opt | Opt | Std | Std | Std |
| Rear-window defroster | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
Complete certification table
2 configuration records.
| EPA ID / label | Engine / technology | Drive / transmission | Fuel | City | Hwy | Combined | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43206Traverse AWD | 3.6L 6-cyl SIDIConventional | All-Wheel DriveAutomatic 9-spd | Regular | 17 | 25 | 20 | N/A |
| 43203Traverse FWD | 3.6L 6-cyl SIDIConventional | Front-Wheel DriveAutomatic 9-spd | Regular | 18 | 27 | 21 | N/A |
Model-specific answer center
4 answers for this exact family-year.
Q01What changed on the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse versus the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse?
Model year
Nothing in the certification data changed, so the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse carries the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse's figures forward: 2 certification records labelled Traverse AWD, Traverse FWD, 3.6L 6-cyl SIDI, all-wheel drive, front-wheel drive on regular, rated 20-21 combined MPG/MPGe and an EPA annual fuel cost of $2,950 to $3,100. Federal recall campaigns on file went from 8 for the 2020 to 3 for the 2021.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov certification records for both model years
Q02What engine oil does the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse take?
Maintenance
The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse owner's manual specifies SAE 5W-30 engine oil. Source: 2021 Chevrolet Traverse owner's manual. The 2020 model year has the same figure.
Source: Manufacturer owner's manual
Q03What size wheels does the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse have?
Wheels and tires
The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse's wheel diameter is 18 inches on the L, LS and LT and 20 inches on the RS, Premier and High Country. Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications. The 2020 model year has the same figure.
Source: Kelley Blue Book vehicle specifications
Q04How do the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse trims differ from one another?
Trims
All 6 trims share the 3.6-liter V6 making 310 hp. The LS has privacy glass as standard equipment over the L. The LT has fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a power driver's seat and 2 more as standard equipment over the LS. The RS has blind-spot alert, forward collision warning, forward collision warning with automatic braking and 12 more as standard equipment over the LT. The Premier has AWD instead of FWD and heated rear seats and a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel as standard equipment over the RS. The High Country has a panoramic moonroof and a power-folding third-row seat as standard equipment over the Premier. The 2020 model year has the same figure.
Source: Kelley Blue Book vehicle specifications
Live NHTSA evidence
Current federal safety records for 2021 Chevrolet Traverse.
Exact-vehicle evidence desk
Check the exact vehicle, not just the model name.
Recalls, build data and service applicability are determined at VIN level, not by model name.
01 · NHTSASafety ratings, recalls, complaints and manufacturer communicationsExact model-year search → (opens in a new tab)02 · NHTSACheck open safety recalls by 17-character VINOfficial VIN remedy status → (opens in a new tab)03 · vPICDecode manufacturer-submitted vehicle attributesInternal VIN tool →04 · EPAQuery another year, make, model and option1984–current browser →
FuelEconomy.gov data source (opens in a new tab) · Methodology
Other model years
Compare the Chevrolet Traverse across model years.
Ownership desk
Problems and maintenance decisions worth checking next.
Engine and coolingEngine ticking noise: normal operation or warning sign?Depends →Transmission and drivetrainHumming or growling that changes with road speedSoon →Brakes, tires and steeringWhat uneven tire-wear patterns meanSoon →Climate and electricalHeadlights or interior lights flickerSoon →Maintenance and fluidsWhen to replace the cabin air filterRoutine →Hybrid and electric vehiclesHybrid fuel economy suddenly lower than expectedRoutine →