Ford Explorer vs. Chevy Traverse: What’s The Difference?
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The two SUVs represent the United States domestic market very well. In the space of mid-size seven-seaters, Ford Explorer and Chevy Traverse have to be at the top. So, if you’re torn between the two, you definitely have good taste, and that’s why we’ll help you decide between a Ford Explorer and a Chevy Traverse!
The Explorer has powerplant options excellent for towing, acceleration, and just plain power, while the Traverse offers amazing cargo space and passenger room. Both vehicles have their own advantages over the other, so let’s discuss the differences and determine which one’s better. Get ready for an epic battle: Ford Explorer vs. Chevy Traverse!
Ford Explorer vs. Chevy Traverse: Difference in Performance
Performance isn’t the be-all-end-all for mid-size SUVs, but you don’t want a car that’ll take an entire minute to pass another car on the highway, so it’s important! Ford Explorer vs. Chevy Traverse: let’s discuss their performance.
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Ford Explorer Performance and Powerplant
The Explorer comes with three choices for awesome engine options.
Most of the Explorers you see on the road have an inline-four 2.3-liter turbocharged engine that puts out 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. That power is transmitted to the wheels by a 10-speed automatic. Even the standard option produces well above adequate power.
The second option is a non-turbocharged V6 hybrid with 318 horsepower and 322 pound-feet of torque. The Explorer’s hybrid setup lets you choose whether you want an AWD drivetrain or a RWD drivetrain.
Ford has something in store even for those who want just a little more out of their seven-seater; a twin-turbo V6! The 3.0-liter V6 produces 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque for the Explorer ST, and 365 hp and 380 lb-ft for Explorer Platinum.
These are all-around excellent engine options!
Even though it’s not amazing, the fuel economy for each one of the engine options is decent. The combined rating of the turbo I4 is 24mpg, while the hybrid V6 has a 27 mpg rating combined, and the twin-turbo V6 has a 20 mpg rating.
Chevy Traverse Performance and Powerplant
Chevrolet doesn’t give you as many options for engines as Ford does. In fact, you have no choice. Still, you’re getting a 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V6 that delivers 310 horses and 266 pound-feet of torque to the wheels by a 9-speed automatic. – Not too shabby.
You can choose between front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive drivetrain, and you can also choose the optional trailering package that’ll give you 5,000-pound towing capacity.
The Traverse has an average fuel economy for a V6 SUV, which is roughly 20-21 mpg (depending on the drivetrain) rating combined driving.
Ford Explorer is a clear winner in terms of performance, but not by too much. You won’t be wrong if you choose the Chevrolet Traverse—they’re both good options.
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Ford Explorer vs. Chevy Traverse: Trims and Prices
A lot of times, you’ll save money or gain value by looking at different trims and deciding which one’s best for you compared to the price tag. So, Ford Explorer vs. Chevy Traverse: who offers better trims and whose prices are better?
Ford Explorer Trims, Prices, and Warranties
Ford sells the Explorer in five trims: base model, XLT, Limited, Platinum, and ST. You won’t go wrong with any one of the trims; it just depends on your preference. The Explorer’s price ranges from $32,225 to $54,480.
The Explorer ranked in neither the 2020 Vehicle Dependability Study nor the 2020 Initial Quality Study. The standard warranty lasts 3 years or 36,000 miles, while the hybrid models have an additional 8 year or 100,000 miles warranty on the system and the battery.
Chevy Traverse: Trims, Prices, and Warranties
Chevrolet sells the Traverse in six trims, which are L, LT, LS, RS, High Country, and Premier. Depending on the trim, you’ll be paying anywhere from $29,800 to $50,900
Chevy Traverse, just like Ford Explorer, couldn’t find a good spot on the 2020 Vehicle Dependability Study or the 2020 Initial Quality Study. Warranties are the exact same as Ford’s—Standard 3 year or 36,000 miles, powertrain warranty of 5 years or 60,000 miles, and roadside assistance for 5 years or 60,000 miles.
Overall, the Traverse has a slight advantage in these categories, but nothing to write home about.
Ford Explorer vs. Chevy Traverse: Comfort, Cargo, Utility
You aren’t looking for a mid-size seven-seater to win drag strip races or anything like that. You’re looking at the Explorer and the Traverse because you probably need a dependable car that can seat your family comfortably. Let’s see who wins the most important battle. Ford Explorer vs. Chevy Traverse: which has the better comfort and utility?
Ford Explorer’s Comfort, Cargo, and Utility
The Explorer can seat six or seven people (depending on the equipment you purchase), and it either has a 35/30/35 split second-row bench seat for the base model or second-row captain’s chairs for other models. With other models, you’re reducing capacity to six people, but the bench seat is there as an option if you really need it.
You’re getting cloth upholstery and triple-zone climate control, as well as an 8-way power driver’s seat. The Limited trim has leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row chairs, LED lights, a heated steering wheel, and a few other quality of life features.
You’ll have 87.8 cubic inches to work with overall. The capacity with third-row seats is 18.2, and with the seats folded, there are 47.9 cubic inches of cargo space.
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Chevy Traverse’s Comfort, Cargo, and Utility
Everyone’s talking about seven-seaters while Chevrolet’s building eight-seaters. The lengthy vehicle can comfortably fit eight people, and that’s quite an accomplishment since most seven-seaters can’t fit seven people with comfort.
Cloth upholstery is the standard with triple-zone climate control and basic manual front-seat adjustment.
Higher trims have second-row captain’s chairs (reducing the capacity to seven), with the Premier and High Country trims offering luxury features such as leather upholstery, heated front seats, and heated second-row seats, just to name a few.
If you ever needed cargo capacity, Chevy Traverse has you covered with 98.2 cubic feet! 23 cubic feet with third-row seats and 57.8 cubic inches with the seats folded.
The lengthy Chevy Traverse is an undeniable winner when it comes to comfort and cargo space!
The Bottom Line
If you were looking for a no-brainer decision, there’s not one in this particular match-up. That’s good news for you, though—it means you can’t go wrong with either. Think about your personal needs and preferences, check out a few options packages, and go from there! You can be happy with your purchase of either of these vehicles.
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