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 Toyota Highlander expensive to maintain?

The Toyota Highlander averages $489 a year in maintenance. That is $84 below the three-row segment average of $573. Owners bring it in for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.33 times per year, below the three-row segment at 0.4. Its reliability score is 8/10. Verdict: cheaper than average to keep on the road.

What is the best year for a Toyota Highlander?

Judged on complaint rate, severity, and safety scores across its own history, the Toyota Highlander's strongest year is 2025 — 9 complaints, a 10/10 safety score, 2 severe issues. 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2015 also rate well. Recent years show fewer complaints partly because they have spent less time on the road. The weakest years by those same measures are 2013, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024 — worth closer inspection before buying, not an automatic pass. Verdict: 2025 is the strongest pick.

How much does Toyota Highlander insurance cost?

Full-coverage insurance for the Toyota Highlander averages $2,401 a year, about $200 a month (industry average). That is more than the three-row segment average of $2,396. Actual rates vary by trim, location, and driving record — compare quotes before buying.

Is the Toyota Highlander or Honda Pilot cheaper to maintain?

Maintenance runs $489 a year on the Toyota Highlander versus $542 on the Honda Pilot. Reliability scores are 8/10 and 7.0/10. Unscheduled repairs average 0.33 versus 0.51 times per year. Verdict: the Toyota Highlander is the cheaper of the two to run.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Toyota Highlander?

The chance of a major repair in a given year is 13%, so roughly 87 in 100 owners will not face one — in line with the three-row segment norm of 13%. Reliability sits at 8/10. Verdict: optional — worth it only if you want predictable costs.

Chevrolet Traverse vs Toyota Highlander

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 Toyota Highlander — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Chevrolet Traverse	Toyota Highlander
Annual repairs	$656	$489winner
5-year repair cost	$3,280	$2,445winner
Scheduled service (to 150k mi)	$9,504winner	$11,956
Reliability score	6 / 10	8 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	18%	13%winner
Cargo space	97.6 cu ft	—
Starting price (new)	$42,300winner	$46,500

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Chevrolet Traverse	Toyota Highlander
RepairPal score	6 / 10	8 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	258.6	137.1winner
Strongest years	2013, 2015, 2016	2010, 2011, 2012
Weakest years	2010, 2011, 2014	2013, 2016, 2019
Value retained · 3 yr	73.5%	83.6%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	51.7%	63.7%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	37.6%	51.5%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Chevrolet Traverse	Toyota Highlander
Engine	28.6%	27.1%winner
Electrical	8.2%	8.2%
ADAS	10.5%	7.7%winner
Brakes	4.5%winner	8.6%
Steering	11.9%	5.6%winner
Fuel system	2.0%winner	5.4%
Tires/Wheels	1.4%winner	3.2%
Glass/Windows	—winner	5.4%
Airbags	20.2%	5.6%winner
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	Toyota Highlander
Avg annual premium	$2,393winner	$2,401

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Chevrolet Traverse

$656/yr maint · 6 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Toyota Highlander

$489/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. Repair costs, reliability scores, and maintenance schedules from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA and fuel prices from the EIA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →