2021 Ford Explorer vs Chevy Traverse

The 2021 Ford Explorer is a midsize three-row SUV with seating for seven or six, with optional second-row captain’s chairs. The front seats are spacious and comfortable, though there is less room in the rear seats. Cargo space gives you 18.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 47.9 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and up to 87.8 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded down. Cloth upholstery and power-adjustable front seats are standard; and leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, front sport seats, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, power-folding third-row seats, and massaging front seats are available. A power liftgate comes standard; and an available hands-free liftgate, and a cargo management system that adds under-floor storage and a reversible cargo floor is an option. The Explorer is available in base, XLT, Limited, ST, and Platinum trim levels. The base Explorer has a starting price of $33,000 for and ranges to a starting price of $59,000 for the Platinum.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse features lots of space for passengers in all three rows of seating; as well as plenty of cargo space. It seats eight people in its lower trims, with a second-row bench seat. Higher trims offer second-row captain's chairs and seat seven. The Traverse provides a comfortable, cushioned ride, with easy access to get in and out of each row. Cloth upholstery comes standard and leather upholstery and power-adjustable front seats are available; as well as heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel. You’ll get plenty of cargo space with 23 cubic feet behind the rear seats, 57.8 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded, and 98.2 cubic feet of cargo space when the second and third row seats are folded down. The Traverse is available in seven trims: L, LS, LT Cloth, LT Leather, RS, Premier, and High Country. Pricing starts out at $32,900 for the LS trim and ranges to a starting price of $53,200 for the all-wheel-drive High Country.

The Ford Explorer’s list of safety and tech features include a SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touch screen that quickly connects to your smartphone with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Six speakers, satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and four USB ports are also standard. Available features include a 10.1-inch touch screen with a portrait layout, a 12.3-inch customizable driver display, a 14-speaker Bank & Olufsen sound system, a rear-seat entertainment system, and wireless device charging. For added assistance, the Explorer comes with Ford Co-Pilot360 technology and driver-assist features that include standard blind spot monitoring, rearview camera, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and auto high-beam headlamps.

Standard features in the Traverse include Chevrolet's user-friendly Infotainment 3 system with a 7-inch touch screen, six USB ports, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hot spot, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The touchscreen responds quickly to inputs and features an intuitive menu layout. A rear-seat entertainment system, an 8-inch touch screen, navigation, a 10-speaker Bose audio system, and satellite radio are available options. Standard safety features include a rearview camera, rear-seat reminder, Teen Driver system and a reminder to buckle up before driving. Available active safety features include adaptive cruise control, a surround-view parking camera system, a rear camera mirror, forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, rear parking sensors, and rear cross traffic alert

The Ford’s standard turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 hp comes with a smooth and sturdy 10-speed automatic transmission and a rear-wheel-drive platform. There are two available twin-turbocharged V6s that will put out 365 and 400 horsepower and are also paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel drive comes standard in the two highest trims, but you can add four-wheel drive to the other trims for added cost. The base engine is not short on power, but the V6 options are quicker. Estimated fuel economy is 21/28 mpg in the city and on the highway with its base engine and 18/26 mpg city/highway with the twin-turbo V6 engines. When properly equipped, the Explorer can tow up to 5,600.

The Chevy Traverse features a 310-horsepower V6 engine on all models with a nine-speed automatic transmission, providing enough power for everyday driving needs, but with average acceleration. Its design makes the Chevrolet easy to drive and maneuver and ride smoothly over most road surfaces. When properly equipped, the Traverse can tow up to 5000 pounds. It is standard with front-wheel drive and available with all-wheel drive. The Traverse has a gas mileage rating of 18/27 mpg in the city and on the highway when equipped with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive will give you 17/25 mpg