What is the best year for a Chevrolet Trax?

The redesigned Trax only has data from 2024 onward, so there isn't enough history to make a definitive call. What the data shows: 2025 improved meaningfully on the 2024 launch year — complaints dropped from 151 to 73, a typical pattern as first-year production issues get resolved. More model years are needed before a strong year-specific recommendation is possible.

How much does Chevrolet Trax insurance cost?

The Trax averages around $2,013/year to insure, or about $168/month. As an entry-level subcompact with solid safety scores, it tends to quote favorably compared to larger vehicles. Rates will vary by trim, location, and driver profile.

Is the Chevrolet Trax or [competitor] cheaper to maintain?

No gas-model competitor with maintenance cost data maps directly to the Trax. Within the subcompact class, the Trax's $488/year is above the HR-V ($301) and near the Crosstrek ($492) — though the $4 difference with the Crosstrek is negligible. Its 12% major repair probability is the more meaningful differentiator compared to those two.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Chevrolet Trax?

Worth considering for 2024 used buyers. The Trax's 12% major repair probability is above the subcompact class average of 9%, and a first-year model purchased outside factory warranty coverage carries real early-issue risk — the 2024's 151 complaints reflect that. For 2025 and newer models still under factory warranty, there's less urgency.

Is the Mazda CX-5 expensive to maintain?

The CX-5 averages $447/year in maintenance — $74 below the compact segment average of $521. Its 9/10 reliability score is above the class average, major repair probability of 8% is well below the 11% norm, and repair frequency of 28% is below the 30% class average. One of the strongest ownership-cost profiles in the compact class.

What is the best year for a Mazda CX-5?

From available data, 2024 (38 complaints, 10/10 safety, 4 severe) and 2025 (22 complaints, 10/10 safety, 5 severe) are the cleanest years on record. Complaint data for 2015-2022 isn't available in our dataset, so those years can't be assessed directly. Early years 2013-2014 had higher complaint counts and are best avoided.

How much does Mazda CX-5 insurance cost?

CX-5 insurance averages about $1,947/year — roughly $162/month — the most affordable among compact SUVs with full data.

Is the Mazda CX-5 or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is $18/year cheaper — $429 versus $447 for the CX-5. The CX-5 has higher reliability (9 vs. 8) and a lower major repair probability (8% vs. 10%). The RAV4 costs slightly less per year; the CX-5 carries a better long-term reliability profile.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Mazda CX-5?

Major repair probability of 8% — well below the class average of 11% — and a 9/10 reliability score make extended warranty unnecessary for most buyers. Self-insuring is the better financial decision.

Chevrolet Trax vs Mazda CX-5

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

// VERDICT

Our verdict

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

Buy the Mazda CX-5 — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Chevrolet Trax	Mazda CX-5
Annual maintenance	$488	$447winner
5-year total cost	$2,440	$2,235winner
Reliability score	8 / 10	9 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	12%	8%winner
Cargo space	54.1 cu ft	—
Starting price (new)	$23,000winner	$29,990
Best years to buy	2026	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Chevrolet Trax	Mazda CX-5
RepairPal score	8 / 10	9 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	51.9winner	106.6
Years to avoid	2024, 2025	2014, 2025
Value retained · 3 yr	78.8%winner	78.5%
Value retained · 5 yr	56.6%	62.1%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	44.6%	53.2%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Chevrolet Trax	Mazda CX-5
Engine	23.8%	12.8%winner
Electrical	25.8%	23.1%winner
ADAS	12.5%	8.5%winner
Brakes	3.8%winner	7.6%
Steering	—winner	2.0%
Fuel system	2.9%	1.6%winner
Tires/Wheels	0.8%winner	1.3%
Glass/Windows	6.3%winner	14.4%
Airbags	3.3%	1.6%winner
Lighting	3.8%	2.5%winner
Seatbelt	1.7%	—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 Trax	Mazda CX-5
Avg annual premium	$2,013	$1,947winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Chevrolet Trax

$488/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Mazda CX-5

$447/yr maint · 9 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Trax costs $488/year to maintain — $22 above the subcompact segment average of $466. Its major repair probability of 12% runs above the class average of 9%, meaning there's a somewhat higher chance of an unscheduled repair in any given year. Repair frequency of 18% is close to the segment average of 20%. It's a near-average ownership cost with slightly elevated repair risk.

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 →