2021 Chevrolet Traverse MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse is rated 20 to 21 mpg combined across 2 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 3.6L 6-cyl · FWD · 9-speed automatic.

EPA fuel economy

2021 Chevrolet Traverse · 2 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

21MPG combined

18 city 27 highway

$3,100 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score4/10

3.6L 6-cyl · FWD · 9-speed automatic

Best version costs $4,000 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.32 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Sep 27, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $3,100 to $3,250 a year. Ratings for the best versions are unchanged from 2020.

Every 2021 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
3.6L 6-cyl · FWD · 9-speed automatic Best EPA listing: Traverse FWD	21 mpg	18 / 27	$3,100
3.6L 6-cyl · AWD · 9-speed automatic EPA listing: Traverse AWD	20 mpg	17 / 25	$3,250

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.32 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
3.6L 6-cyl · FWD · 9-speed automatic	$3,086	$257	$15,429
3.6L 6-cyl · AWD · 9-speed automatic	$3,240	$270	$16,200

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 2016 to 2026); highest in 2024.

2021: gas 21 mpg

Show as a table

Chevrolet Traverse best combined mpg by model year
Model year	Best gas version
2016	18
2017	18
2018	22
2019	22
2020	21
2021	21
2022	21
2023	21
2024	23
2025	23
2026	22

How the 2021 Traverse compares

2021 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.

2021 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Kia Sorento Best: hybrid	37 mpg	26 mpg	$1,750
Toyota Highlander Best: hybrid	36 mpg	24 mpg	$1,800
Hyundai Santa Fe Best: hybrid	34 mpg	26 mpg	$1,900
Lexus RX Best: hybrid	30 mpg	23 mpg	$2,650
Ford Explorer Best: hybrid	27 mpg	24 mpg	$2,400
Chevrolet Blazer Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,600
Ford Edge Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,700
Kia Telluride Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,800
Honda Pilot Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,800
Subaru Ascent Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,800
Hyundai Palisade Best: gas	22 mpg	22 mpg	$2,950
Jeep Grand Cherokee Best: gas	21 mpg	21 mpg	$3,100
Chevrolet Traverse This page Best: gas	21 mpg	21 mpg	$3,100
Dodge Durango Best: gas	21 mpg	21 mpg	$3,100

2021 Traverse recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 89 owner complaints for the 2021 Traverse.What they cover, and crash test ratings

Questions

Does AWD lower the 2021 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 2021 Chevrolet Traverse need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2021 Chevrolet Traverse version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2021 Traverse's MPG compare with the 2020?

For 2021, the best gas version is rated 21 mpg, the same as the year before.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Sep 18, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.32, midgrade $4.93, premium $5.32, diesel $6.29 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Sep 27, 2026 and complaint file dated Sep 26, 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.