The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse gets 21 to 22 miles per gallon combined, depending on the version. The best is the 2026 Traverse FWD at 22 mpg.
In the Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class for 2026, the Traverse ranks 12th (tied with 4 others) of 23 for combined mileage (22 mpg), 6th (tied with 4 others) of 23 for yearly fuel cost ($2,850 for its cheapest version, cheapest first) and 11th (tied with 2 others) of 23 for tailpipe CO2 (404 grams per mile for its lowest version, lowest first). The middle model of the class gets 22 mpg, costs $3,100 a year and puts out 404 grams per mile.
Across all 235 2026 models in the file that burn fuel, the middle best-version figure is 24 mpg and the highest is 57 mpg (Toyota Prius). Of the 234 other models, 148 get more miles per gallon than the 2026 Traverse's best version, 18 other models get the same and 68 get less. The 2026 Traverse's cheapest version costs $2,850 a year to fuel by the agency's figure; of the 225 other models with a cost figure, 104 cost less, 17 the same and 104 more.
Open the best-mileage list of this class for 2026. Cost and CO2 in the table are each model's lowest figure over its versions; plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell versions have no fuel cost and are left out of the cost column.
| Place | Model | Best version | mpg | Fuel a year, cheapest version | CO2 g/mi, lowest version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 2026 Lexus TX | 2026 TX 350 | 23 | $3,350 | 382 |
| 7 | 2026 Nissan Pathfinder | 2026 Pathfinder 2WD | 23 | $2,700 | 382 |
| 12 | 2026 Buick Enclave | 2026 Enclave FWD | 22 | $2,850 | 404 |
| 12 | 2026 Chevrolet TraverseThis car | 2026 Traverse FWD | 22 | $2,850 | 404 |
| 12 | 2026 GMC Acadia | 2026 Acadia FWD | 22 | $2,850 | 404 |
| 12 | 2026 Toyota 4Runner | 2026 4Runner 2WD #1 | 22 | $2,850 | 399 |
| 12 | 2026 Toyota Sequoia | 2026 Sequoia 2WD (Regular Gasoline) | 22 | $2,850 | 395 |
Pick a 2026 version, then set your miles and fuel price. Fuel price as of 2026-11-14, U.S. Department of Energy / EPA. The price box starts at the dated price of the fuel the picked version burns (regular, midgrade or premium gasoline, diesel, E85 or electricity) and sets the price of that fuel. Miles are limited to 1,000 to 60,000 a year and the price to $0.01 to $20.00; a value outside that is worked out at the nearest limit.
2026 Traverse FWD, 4-cyl 2.5 L: 20 mpg city, 26 highway, 22 combined. The agency's own estimate for the 2026 Traverse version is $2,850 a year (15,000 miles, the agency's fuel prices).
The 3 nearest rivals in the Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class for 2026, picked by closest combined mileage; only versions with a fuel-cost figure are listed. Same miles as on the left. The price box on the left is the price of the fuel of the version you picked: a rival that burns the same fuel uses that price, a rival that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. The 5-year line is 5 times the yearly gap.
Both cost the same to fuel.
Over 5 years both cost the same to fuel at these miles and these prices.
Dollar gaps use each car's best-mileage version.
| Rival in 2026 | Best version | Combined | Fuel a year, agency (15,000 miles) | Against the Traverse (mileage) | Agency yearly fuel cost against the Traverse | Side by side |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Buick Enclave | 2026 Enclave FWD | 22 mpg | $2,850 | same figure | same | - |
| 2026 GMC Acadia | 2026 Acadia FWD | 22 mpg | $2,850 | same figure | same | - |
| 2026 Toyota 4Runner | 2026 4Runner 2WD #1 | 22 mpg | $2,850 | same figure | same | Compare |
EPA test figures for 2026; the last column is the yearly fuel cost against the cheapest version.
| Version | Engine | Gearbox | Drive | City | Highway | Combined | Fuel a year | CO2 g/mi | Fuel vs cheapest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Traverse FWD | 4-cyl 2.5 L | Automatic 8-spd | Front-wheel | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,850 | 404 | cheapest |
| 2026 Traverse AWD | 4-cyl 2.5 L | Automatic 8-spd | All-wheel | 20 | 24 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 | +$100 |
Enter the price difference you were quoted for the 2026 Traverse; this page has no prices. Miles come from the calculator. The fuel price box there sets the price of the fuel of the version picked there; a version here that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. Versions with no fuel-cost figure are not listed.
Type the price difference you were quoted to see the payback.
Tailpipe CO2: the 2026 Traverse FWD puts out 404 grams per mile; across the 2 tested versions the figure runs from 404 to 423.
EPA scores (1 to 10, 10 best) for the 2026 Traverse FWD: fuel economy score 4, greenhouse gas score 4.
Best combined figure of the Traverse gas version each model year since 2016, set against the 2026 model.
| Model year | Best gas version | Versions tested | Against 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 18 mpg | 2 | 4 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2017 | 18 mpg | 2 | 4 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2018 | 22 mpg | 3 | same as 2026 | |
| 2019 | 22 mpg | 3 | same as 2026 | |
| 2020 | 21 mpg | 2 | 1 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2021 | 21 mpg | 2 | 1 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2022 | 21 mpg | 2 | 1 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2023 | 21 mpg | 2 | 1 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2024 | 23 mpg | 4 | 1 mpg higher than 2026 | |
| 2025 | 23 mpg | 2 | 1 mpg higher than 2026 | |
| 2026This page | 22 mpg | 2 | this page |
Compared with the 2025 model: 2 versions were tested then and 2 now; the best figure went from 23 to 22 mpg (down 1).
| Version in 2026 | 2026 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Traverse FWD, 4-cyl 2.5 L | 22 mpg | 23 mpg | -1 mpg |
| 2026 Traverse AWD, 4-cyl 2.5 L | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | no change |
Crash-test stars from the U.S. safety agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings, checked 2026-11-14. 5 is the best.
| Vehicle | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE SUV N/A AWD | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| 2026 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE SUV N/A FWD | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
The agency lists 2 variants; all 2 are shown.
The agency's record for the first rated vehicle also lists 31 complaints, 2 recalls, 1 investigation.
31 complaints for the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse are on file (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints are reports that owners sent to the safety agency. They are not proven defects, and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
| Part named in the reports | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 10 | |
| Service Brakes | 9 | |
| Engine | 5 | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 5 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
4 of the 31 reports say the car was in a crash, 0 mention a fire and 3 mention an injury. One report can name more than one part.
2 recalls are on file for the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse at the U.S. safety agency (checked 2026-11-14). A dealer does recall repairs free of charge.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver or front passenger seat may not have sufficient welds where the seat back recliner pivot mechanism attaches to a bracket on the seat frame.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver or front passenger seat back frames, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 7, 2026.
General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet ...
Fix: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026.
Other 2026 models of the same agency class, each with its best combined figure. The Traverse itself is at 22 mpg.
More Chevrolet models that have a 2026 page here, with the class of each and its best combined figure.
The 2026 Traverse FWD with 22 mpg combined (20 city, 26 highway).
The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse costs between $2,850 and $2,950 to fuel by the agency's estimate, which assumes 15,000 miles a year. The cheapest is the 2026 Traverse FWD at $2,850; the dearest is the 2026 Traverse AWD at $2,950. Use the calculator above for your own miles and fuel price.
2026 Traverse AWD: 21 mpg combined (20 city, 24 highway).
The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse is 12th of 23 for combined mileage. The top of the class is the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander at 36 mpg, and the middle figure for the class is 22 mpg. In the list, the next one ahead is the 2026 Buick Enclave at 22 mpg and the next one behind is the 2026 GMC Acadia at 22 mpg.
The 2025 model had 2 tested versions and the 2026 model has 2. The best figure went from 23 to 22 mpg (down 1).
In the agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14; 5 is the best), the stars are 2026 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE SUV N/A AWD: overall 5 of 5, front 5, side 5, rollover 4; 2026 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE SUV N/A FWD: overall 5 of 5, front 5, side 5, rollover 4. The agency lists 2 variants; all 2 are shown.
31 complaints for the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse are on file at the safety agency (checked 2026-11-14); the part named most often is Electrical System (10 reports). Complaints are reports owners sent in, not proven defects.
The agency's database lists 2 recalls for the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse (checked 2026-11-14). They are listed above with the repair the maker offers.
For the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse: EPA file 2026-11-04; fuel price 2026-11-14; crash tests 2026-11-14; complaints 2026-11-14; recalls 2026-11-14. Not covered: purchase price, towing, reliability, repair and insurance costs.
Mileage and fuel cost for the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, fueleconomy.gov vehicle file (file dated 2026-11-04). Recalls for the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (checked 2026-11-14). Crash-test ratings for the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints for the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse: NHTSA (checked 2026-11-14). Fuel prices: U.S. Department of Energy / EPA (2026-11-14). Your own mileage depends on how and where you drive. Where our numbers come from.