What is the best year for a Chevrolet Traverse?

The 2021 (85 complaints, 10/10 safety, 4 severe) and 2023 (75 complaints, 8/10 safety, 7 severe) Traverse are the cleanest years on record. Avoid the pre-2021 era, where complaint counts exceeded 200 every year from 2010 through 2020. Note that 2024-2025 ticked back up to 121 and 164 complaints — the improvement wasn't fully sustained. The 2021-2023 window is the safest range for used buying.

How much does Chevrolet Traverse insurance cost?

Traverse insurance averages around $2,393/year — roughly $199/month.

Is the Chevrolet Traverse or Ford Explorer cheaper to maintain?

The Traverse is cheaper to maintain by $76/year — $656 versus $732 for the Ford Explorer. However, the Explorer has a higher reliability score (7 vs. 6), lower major repair probability (14% vs. 18%), and significantly lower repair frequency (24% vs. 43%). On total maintenance value beyond annual dollar cost, the Explorer holds a meaningful edge.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Chevrolet Traverse?

Major repair probability of 18% is the second-highest in the three-row segment, and reliability score of 6 is below the class average. Extended warranty is worth considering for most used Traverse models, particularly any purchased from the 2010-2020 era of consistently elevated complaints.

Is the Hyundai Santa Fe expensive to maintain?

The Santa Fe averages $515/year in maintenance — $58 below the midsize segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 24% is well below the class average of 40%. Major repair probability of 10% is well below the 13% norm. Reliability score of 8 is above the midsize average of 7. It outperforms the segment average on every ownership-cost metric.

What is the best year for a Hyundai Santa Fe?

Avoid 2013-2014 (604 and 492 complaints) and especially 2017 (929 complaints), which coincides with the Theta II engine recall era. The 2021 Santa Fe (158 complaints, 10/10 safety, 5 severe) is the strongest mature used pick. The current generation is consistent: 2024 (121, 8/10, 11 severe) and 2025 (112, 8/10, 6 severe) are solid options for buyers wanting newer.

How much does Hyundai Santa Fe insurance cost?

Santa Fe insurance averages about $2,430/year — roughly $203/month.

Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is cheaper to maintain by $86/year — $429 versus $515 for the Santa Fe. Note the RAV4 is a compact SUV while the Santa Fe is a midsize, so they serve somewhat different buyers. Both carry the same reliability score and major repair probability (10%); the Santa Fe has a slightly lower repair frequency (24% vs. 26%). The cost gap is real, but so is the size difference.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Hyundai Santa Fe?

Major repair probability of 10% and repair frequency of 24% are both well below midsize segment averages. Extended warranty isn't needed for 2021 and newer. For used models in the 2013-2014 and 2017 range, the documented engine recall history makes coverage worth taking seriously.

Chevrolet Traverse vs Hyundai Santa Fe

Two three-row SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Chevrolet Traverse if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

Buy the Hyundai Santa Fe — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Chevrolet Traverse	Hyundai Santa Fe
Annual maintenance	$656	$515winner
5-year total cost	$3,280	$2,575winner
Reliability score	6 / 10	8 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	18%	10%winner
Cargo space	97.6 cu ft	—
Starting price (new)	$42,300	$35,050winner
Best years to buy	2013, 2021	2011, 2018

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Chevrolet Traverse	Hyundai Santa Fe
RepairPal score	6 / 10	8 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	257.3	251.5winner
Years to avoid	2018, 2019, 2025	2017, 2019, 2023
Value retained · 3 yr	73.5%winner	72.5%
Value retained · 5 yr	51.7%	54.4%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	37.6%	42%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Chevrolet Traverse	Hyundai Santa Fe
Engine	19.9%winner	45.2%
Electrical	8.1%	5.1%winner
ADAS	8.3%winner	8.8%
Brakes	4.5%winner	5.7%
Steering	11.9%	4.5%winner
Fuel system	2.0%winner	2.0%
Tires/Wheels	1.4%winner	2.3%
Glass/Windows	1.1%winner	2.9%
Airbags	20.3%	2.1%winner
Lighting	—winner	1.2%
Seatbelt	2.4%	—winner

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Chevrolet Traverse	Hyundai Santa Fe
Avg annual premium	$2,393winner	$2,430

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Chevrolet Traverse

$656/yr maint · 6 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Hyundai Santa Fe

$515/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Traverse costs $656/year to maintain — $83 above the three-row segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 43% is slightly above the class average of 40%. Reliability score of 6 is below the segment average of 7, and major repair probability of 18% is well above the 13% norm. It trails the three-row class average on most ownership-cost metrics.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →