2018 Chevrolet Traverse MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2018 Chevrolet Traverse is rated 20 to 22 mpg combined across 3 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 2.0L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 9-speed automatic.

EPA fuel economy

2018 Chevrolet Traverse · 3 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

22MPG combined

20 city 26 highway

$3,500 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score4/10

2.0L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 9-speed automatic

Best version costs $6,500 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $5.01 a gallon (premium gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Nov 12, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,950 to $3,500 a year. Compared with 2017, the best gas version is up 4 mpg.

One of the Traverse years to avoid

The 2018 drew 139 owner complaints in its first three years, against 47 for a typical Traverse year: 2.9 times as many.

Years to avoid: 2018; best year: 2021. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every Traverse year ranked The 2018 Traverse's recalls and problems

Every 2018 Traverse version

EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.

Version	Combined	City / Hwy	Fuel / year
2.0L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 9-speed automatic Best EPA listing: Traverse FWD · Premium fuel	22 mpg	20 / 26	$3,500
3.6L 6-cyl · FWD · 9-speed automatic EPA listing: Traverse FWD	21 mpg	18 / 27	$2,950
3.6L 6-cyl · AWD · 9-speed automatic EPA listing: Traverse AWD	20 mpg	17 / 25	$3,100

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.00 a gallon for regular gas and $5.01 a gallon for premium gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
2.0L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 9-speed automatic	$3,416	$285	$17,080
3.6L 6-cyl · FWD · 9-speed automatic	$2,857	$238	$14,286
3.6L 6-cyl · AWD · 9-speed automatic	$3,000	$250	$15,000

At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.

Chevrolet Traverse MPG by model year

The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 18 to 23 mpg (every year from 2010 to 2026); highest in 2024.

2018: gas 22 mpg

Show as a table

Chevrolet Traverse best combined mpg by model year
Model year	Best gas version
2010	19
2011	19
2012	19
2013	19
2014	19
2015	19
2016	18
2017	18
2018	22
2019	22
2020	21
2021	21
2022	21
2023	21
2024	23
2025	23
2026	22

Every Traverse year's ratings in one table

How the 2018 Traverse compares

2018 midsize SUVs covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.

2018 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Lexus RX Best: hybrid	30 mpg	23 mpg	$2,600
Toyota Highlander Best: hybrid	29 mpg	23 mpg	$2,150
Jeep Grand Cherokee Best: diesel	25 mpg	21 mpg	$2,950
Hyundai Santa Fe Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,600
Kia Sorento Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,600
Ford Edge Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,600
Mazda CX-9 Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,600
Nissan Murano Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,600
Volkswagen Atlas Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,600
Honda Pilot Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,700
Nissan Pathfinder Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,700
GMC Acadia Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,700
Ford Explorer Best: gas	22 mpg	22 mpg	$2,850
Chevrolet Traverse This page Best: gas	22 mpg	22 mpg	$2,950
Dodge Durango Best: gas	21 mpg	21 mpg	$2,950
Buick Enclave Best: gas	21 mpg	21 mpg	$2,950

2018 Traverse recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 466 owner complaints for the 2018 Traverse.

Owners most often describe shifter errors (156 complaints, 33%), then the check engine light (51). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 5 stars.

See the 2018 Traverse recalls and problems

Questions

Does AWD lower the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse's gas mileage?

Yes. On versions that differ only in drive, AWD lowers the combined rating by 1 mpg: the 3.6L 6-cyl gets 21 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 20 with AWD.

Does the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse need premium gas?

Some versions do. EPA lists the 2.0L turbo 4-cyl on premium, the rest use regular.

How does the 2018 Traverse's MPG compare with the 2017?

For 2018, the best gas version is rated 22 mpg, up 4 from 18.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Nov 4, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.00, midgrade $4.61, premium $5.01, diesel $6.13 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Nov 12, 2026 and complaint file dated Nov 11, 2026.

Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.