Deciding on your next SUV can be a fun experience, but if you’re torn between options like the Ford Explorer vs. Chevy Traverse, it can be a difficult decision to make. Both vehicles offer spacious cabins and impressive performances, but to truly know which vehicle is right for you, you’ll want to know the differences.
At Norm Reeves Ford Superstore Cerritos, we’re here to help drivers in Orange County, Long Beach, and Buena Park, California, learn about the Explorer vs Traverse. We’ll explore the similarities and differences so you can decide on the one that’s right for you! Contact us today.
The Ford Explorer and Chevrolet Traverse each come equipped with V6 engines that can each produce more than 300 horsepower. However, there are quite a few differences in the range of performances.
The Explorer offers two engine options, one of which is the 3.0L EcoBoost® V6, which produces 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque.
The Chevy Traverse only offers one engine option, so it doesn’t offer a range of options or performances like the Ford Explorer. Its output is 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque, which doesn’t stand up to the power of the Ford.
Both the Ford and Chevy SUVs are equipped to carry seven passengers inside over three rows of seating. While the respective cabins are spacious and expansive, there are quite a few differences when it comes to their passenger comfort and room.
Curious about these Ford SUV sizes? The Explorer offers 40.7 inches of headroom, 43 inches of legroom, and 58.7 inches of hip room in front. The Traverse includes a close 42.6 inches of headroom, 44.29 inches of legroom, and only 58.7 inches of hip room.
In the second row, the Explorer includes 40.5 inches of headroom, 39 inches of legroom, and 59.1 inches of hip room. This is more spacious than the 39.96 inches of headroom, 41.46 inches of legroom, and 58.58 inches of hip room in the second row of the Traverse.
The Chevy Traverse cargo space does edge out the Explorer with 97.6 cubic feet behind the first row compared to the Ford’s 85.8 cubic feet. That said, the Explorer does add the optional Cargo Area Management System to the spec sheet, which allows for alternative solutions to cabin storage, such as dividers and shelving.
SUVs are beloved for their ability to haul heavy objects and equipment that sedans and other standard cars can’t. The Explorer and Traverse can handle a heavy load, but both with a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.
With the Ford, all Explorer models come equipped with standard towing features, including:
In contrast, the Traverse lacks the first two features, and its Blind Zone Steering Assist does not offer trailer coverage. As a result, towing with this Ford mid-size SUV may feel more manageable, giving you added confidence on the road.
One of the main questions car shoppers ask is “what safety features does this car offer?” The good news is that many new cars offer impressive driver-assist safety features, and the Explorer and the Traverse are no exception.
Both SUVs offer available features like Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keeping System, Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert, and Adaptive Cruise Control.
However, many features, like the Driver Alert System, are not available on the base model of the Traverse, whereas they are available on all models of the Ford Explorer as part of Ford Co-Pilot360™. To get these comparable features on a Traverse, you would need to upgrade to a higher trim level.
Each SUV offers an assortment of sophisticated features and technology. They both include dashboard-mounted infotainment systems that are used for media selection. Each screen features voice recognition, which makes it easier and more convenient to select media options.
These SUVs include AM/FM radios, Bluetooth® connectivity for hands-free phone calling and audio streaming, and USB and auxiliary ports for portable media devices. In-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspots make it easier to connect your smartphone, ensure connections aren’t interrupted, and prevent you from using too much data.
So, if you’re traveling a far distance and you need GPS, you won’t need to worry about getting an alert that you went over your data limit.
The Ford Explorer and Chevy Traverse also offer optional SiriusXM® Satellite Radio trials. This addition includes more than 150 stations of commercial-free entertainment ranging from music, sports talk, news, and even comedy.
Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ come standard in both vehicles, as well as navigation systems with GPS. The Ford Explorer offers a few more options in terms of connectivity, though. You can sync Waze to your car and use it as your main GPS, so if you already have destinations saved, you won’t have to spend time typing the address of your destination in.
In the Explorer, you can even connect Amazon’s Alexa as part of the available SYNC® 3 technology, which will give you access to all things Amazon, including your smart-home devices. The Traverse does not allow you to seamlessly connect to Waze or Alexa quite like the Explorer can.
At Norm Reeves Ford Superstore Cerritos, we hope that this Ford Explorer vs. Chevy Traverse comparison shed some light on what these two popular SUVs offer and how they differ. You saw that the Ford Explorer offers a bit more than the Chevy Traverse. Why not see for yourself by dropping by our dealership to take a closer look at this SUV? You can even experience it on the road!
Schedule your test drive with us at Norm Reeves Ford Superstore Cerritos! We’re happy to help drivers throughout Orange County, Long Beach, and Buena Park, CA, find the right car!
