At the top of most wish lists is a battle for the best American-made SUV the Chevrolet Traverse vs Ford Explorer gives us two great choices.
Families looking for a three-row midsize SUV have tons of options. These are both top-selling SUVs with enormous amounts of innovative style, space, and power.Both of these SUVs offer more than other vehicles in their class without sacrificing class nor costing a fortune. Someone looking for a large SUV would be happy with either model, but the Traverse is often considered the smarter purchase.
Money Talks
While the price tag isn’t the only important element of purchasing a new SUV, it is definitely something that will play into your final decision. The Ford Explorer comes in five different trim levels, with prices ranging from roughly $32,000 to $54,000, depending on your configuration.
Ford doesn’t offer any complimentary scheduled maintenance but does have a useful FordPass rewards program that helps users earn tons of discounts on service appointments and more.
The Chevrolet Traverse, however, comes in six different trims ranging from just under $30,000 to $51,000. Along with the purchase of your new Traverse, you’ll be treated to a three-month trial of Chevy’s Connected Access. This suite includes things like OnStar, remote engine locking, and more. You also get a one-month trial of this SUV’s built-in Wi-Fi hotspot.
Chevrolet also offers one free scheduled maintenance appointment during the first year you own your Traverse.
Interior Comfort
No comparison of the Chevrolet Traverse vs Ford Explorer is complete without examining interior comfort and utility. The Explorer can be equipped to seat six or seven people. It starts with cloth upholstery and ripe-zone climate control. Moving up in trims reveals options for things like leather upholstery, heated/ventilated front seats, and more.
The Ford SUV has a maximum cargo capacity of 87.8 cubic feet when all of the seats are folded down. The hands-free liftgate is optional.
The Chevy Traverse holds up to eight passengers and has amazing leg room in every row. You have the option of adding captain’s chairs to the second row, but you still endup with room for seven. The Traverse also starts with cloth seats and triple-zone climate control with options for leather upholstery and heated/ventilated seats. Where the Traverse really stands out is with its class-leading 98.2 cubic feet of total cargo space. Even with all of the seats upright and full of passengers, the Traverse offers more cargo space than the Explorer can even imagine.
Drive With Confidence
One great thing about both the Traverse and Explorer is that they are backed by a fantastic warranty. That means you can drive with the peace of mind that you’re covered if something is working right.
Both of these popular vehicles offer
- 3-year/36,000-mile standard warranty
- 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty
- 5-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance
Check with your local dealer for extended warranties or additional options that might make one of these SUVs stand out to you.
It’s Up To You
At the end of the day, the decision as to which SUV will be parked in your driveway comes down to your personal preferences. If you value more space at a lower price, the Traverse is a great way to go. If you’re more into slightly higher fuel efficiency and a larger touchscreen, the Explorer is a great choice.
If you’re still not sure, stop by your local Chevy and Ford dealers to take one of these beasts out for a test drive. Sometimes getting behind the wheel is the only way to know.
