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 Mitsubishi Outlander expensive to maintain?

The Outlander costs $519/year to maintain — $2 below the compact segment average of $521, an essentially negligible difference. Repair frequency of 26% is below the class average of 30%. Reliability score of 8 and major repair probability of 11% are both at segment averages. Solid average-cost ownership with slightly better repair frequency.

What is the best year for a Mitsubishi Outlander?

The 2025 Outlander (13 complaints, 8/10 safety, 2 severe) is the cleanest year in the model's history. The 2023-2025 window represents the settled third generation. Avoid 2015 (231 complaints) and 2022 (206 complaints — new generation launch year). For used buying, 2023 or newer is the safest range.

How much does Mitsubishi Outlander insurance cost?

Outlander insurance averages around $2,676/year — roughly $223/month. This is notably above average for a compact SUV and the highest insurance rate in the compact class, likely reflecting parts availability and repair costs for a lower-volume brand.

Is the Mitsubishi Outlander or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is $90/year cheaper — $429 versus $519 for the Outlander, about $450 in savings over five years. Both carry the same reliability score and major repair probability. The RAV4 holds a clear maintenance cost advantage.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Mitsubishi Outlander?

Major repair probability and reliability are both at class average, and repair frequency is below it. The outsized insurance premium already adds meaningfully to total ownership cost — factor that before adding extended warranty cost. For 2023+ models, warranty coverage isn't strongly warranted.

Chevrolet Trax vs Mitsubishi Outlander

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

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Chevrolet Trax to minimise 5-year ownership cost.

Buy the Mitsubishi Outlander if long-term reliability matters most.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Chevrolet Trax	Mitsubishi Outlander
Annual maintenance	$488winner	$519
5-year total cost	$2,440winner	$2,595
Reliability score	8 / 10	8 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	12%	11%winner
Cargo space	54.1 cu ft	—
Starting price (new)	$23,000winner	$29,995
Best years to buy	2026	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Chevrolet Trax	Mitsubishi Outlander
RepairPal score	8 / 10	8 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	51.9winner	278.2
Years to avoid	2024, 2025	2014, 2015, 2016
Value retained · 3 yr	78.8%winner	72.4%
Value retained · 5 yr	56.6%winner	52.5%
Value retained · 7 yr	44.6%winner	41.5%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Chevrolet Trax	Mitsubishi Outlander
Engine	23.8%	14.5%winner
Electrical	25.8%	7.6%winner
ADAS	12.5%	10.2%winner
Brakes	3.8%winner	7.5%
Suspension	—winner	2.7%
Steering	—winner	2.5%
Fuel system	2.9%	2.5%winner
Tires/Wheels	0.8%winner	2.0%
Glass/Windows	6.3%	4.2%winner
Airbags	3.3%winner	9.3%
Lighting	3.8%	—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	Mitsubishi Outlander
Avg annual premium	$2,013winner	$2,676

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Chevrolet Trax

$488/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Mitsubishi Outlander

$519/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 →