What To Know
- In the realm of three-row SUVs, the Ford Explorer and the Chevy Traverse stand as two of the most popular and well-regarded options.
- The Explorer received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, while the Traverse received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS.
- The Explorer offers a more powerful engine, a more spacious interior, and a wider range of technology features, while the Traverse offers better fuel efficiency and a more affordable price.
In the realm of three-row SUVs, the Ford Explorer and the Chevy Traverse stand as two of the most popular and well-regarded options. Both vehicles offer spacious interiors, powerful engines, and a wide range of features. But which one is the better choice for you? In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll pit the Ford Explorer against the Chevy Traverse and examine their key differences in terms of performance, comfort, technology, safety, and more.
Performance
When it comes to performance, the Ford Explorer and the Chevy Traverse offer a similar range of engine options. The Explorer comes standard with a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The Traverse, on the other hand, comes standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine that produces 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. Both vehicles offer optional V6 engines with more power, with the Explorer’s 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 producing 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque, and the Traverse’s 3.6-liter V6 producing 355 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque.
In terms of fuel efficiency, the Explorer and the Traverse are also quite similar. The Explorer with the 2.3-liter engine gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, while the Traverse with the 3.6-liter engine gets an EPA-estimated 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
Comfort and Interior
The Ford Explorer and the Chevy Traverse both offer spacious and comfortable interiors with seating for up to eight passengers. The Explorer has a slightly larger interior than the Traverse, with more headroom and legroom in the second and third rows. Both vehicles offer comfortable seats with plenty of support, and the Explorer’s seats are available with heating and cooling functions.
In terms of cargo space, the Explorer and the Traverse are also very similar. The Explorer offers 18.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 47.9 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and 87.8 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded down. The Traverse offers 18.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and 98.2 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded down.
Technology
The Ford Explorer and the Chevy Traverse both offer a wide range of technology features, including infotainment systems, connectivity features, and driver assistance systems. The Explorer comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, while the Traverse comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Both vehicles offer optional larger touchscreen infotainment systems, as well as features like navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a rear-seat entertainment system.
In terms of driver assistance systems, the Explorer and the Traverse both offer a wide range of features, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. The Explorer also offers features like automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and a 360-degree camera system, while the Traverse offers features like rear cross-traffic alert and a head-up display.
Safety
The Ford Explorer and the Chevy Traverse have both received excellent safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Explorer received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, while the Traverse received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS.
Which One Should You Choose?
The Ford Explorer and the Chevy Traverse are both excellent three-row SUVs with a lot to offer. The Explorer offers a more powerful engine, a more spacious interior, and a wider range of technology features, while the Traverse offers better fuel efficiency and a more affordable price. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
Verdict: Ford Explorer vs. Chevy Traverse
After careful consideration of all the factors involved, the Ford Explorer emerges as the winner in this comparison. It offers a more powerful engine, a more spacious interior, a wider range of technology features, and a higher safety rating. While the Chevy Traverse is a great SUV in its own right, the Explorer simply offers more for the money.
Information You Need to Know
- Q: Which SUV has a more powerful engine?
- A: The Ford Explorer has a more powerful engine than the Chevy Traverse.
- Q: Which SUV has a more spacious interior?
- A: The Ford Explorer has a more spacious interior than the Chevy Traverse.
- Q: Which SUV has a wider range of technology features?
- A: The Ford Explorer has a wider range of technology features than the Chevy Traverse.
- Q: Which SUV has a higher safety rating?
- A: The Ford Explorer has a higher safety rating than the Chevy Traverse.
- Q: Which SUV is more affordable?
- A: The Chevy Traverse is more affordable than the Ford Explorer.