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 Hyundai Tucson expensive to maintain?

The Tucson averages $426/year in maintenance — $95 below the compact segment average of $521. Repair frequency of 26% is below the class average of 30%. Major repair probability of 12% is slightly above the 11% segment average. On balance, it's a below-average cost ownership with a near-average repair risk profile.

What is the best year for a Hyundai Tucson?

Avoid 2016 and 2017 — those model years logged 1,605 and 1,065 complaints respectively during the Theta II engine recall era. The 2021 Tucson stands out as the cleanest mature year at 67 complaints and a 10/10 NHTSA safety score. The 2022 new-generation launch had 356 complaints, settling to 116 in 2023 and 81 in 2024. For the current generation, 2024 is the strongest pick.

How much does Hyundai Tucson insurance cost?

Tucson insurance averages about $1,975/year — roughly $165/month. One of the more affordable rates in the compact class.

Is the Hyundai Tucson or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The Tucson and RAV4 are nearly identical in maintenance cost — $426 versus $429, a difference of $3 annually. Both carry a reliability score of 8. The RAV4 has a slight edge in major repair probability (10% vs. 12%); the two match on repair frequency (26% each). Effectively a tie on ownership cost.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Hyundai Tucson?

Major repair probability of 12% is slightly above the class average. The 2016-2017 engine recall history is the biggest risk factor for used buyers in that range — warranty coverage is worth taking seriously for those years. For 2021 and newer, the risk profile is much more moderate.

Chevrolet Trax vs Hyundai Tucson

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

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Hyundai Tucson to minimise 5-year ownership cost.

Buy the Hyundai Tucson if long-term reliability matters most.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Chevrolet Trax	Hyundai Tucson
Annual maintenance	$488	$426winner
5-year total cost	$2,440	$2,130winner
Reliability score	8 / 10	8 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	12%	12%
Cargo space	54.1 cu ft	80.3 cu ftwinner
Starting price (new)	$23,000winner	$31,300
Best years to buy	2026	2020

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Chevrolet Trax	Hyundai Tucson
RepairPal score	8 / 10	8 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	56winner	297.7
Years to avoid	2024, 2025	2011, 2012, 2016
Value retained · 3 yr	78.8%winner	76.3%
Value retained · 5 yr	56.6%	57.7%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	44.6%	47.3%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Chevrolet Trax	Hyundai Tucson
Engine	23.8%winner	38.3%
Electrical	25.8%	6.0%winner
ADAS	12.5%	10.5%winner
Brakes	3.8%winner	8.9%
Steering	—winner	0.9%
Fuel system	2.9%	2.8%winner
Tires/Wheels	0.8%	0.8%winner
Glass/Windows	6.3%	1.4%winner
Airbags	3.3%	1.4%winner
Lighting	3.8%	1.0%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	Hyundai Tucson
Avg annual premium	$2,013	$1,975winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Chevrolet Trax

$488/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Hyundai Tucson

$426/yr maint · 8 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 →