2021 Ford Explorer vs Chevy Traverse

If your family needs three rows of comfort and an engine rife with muscle for your adventures near Dallas, Tunkhannock, Harveys Lake, and Wilkes-Barre, both the Ford Explorer and Chevy Traverse may seem like great options.

While both SUVs have fun and unique features to offer, we here at Tunkhannock Ford think one is packed with just a bit more. Read on to discover which comes out on top.

Explorer vs Traverse: Raw Performance Power

Imagine you’re heading out on your next family road trip. You’ve got your luggage packed and maybe even a kayak strapped to the roof. As you’re cruising down the open road into the mountains, you step on the accelerator and the engine roars.

Pretty exciting, isn’t it?

When you’re behind the wheel of the Explorer and its brawny ST trim level, that roar is distinctly lion-like thanks to twin-turbocharging. The available 3.0L EcoBoost® engine packs a serious wallop with 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. You’ll cruise past other road-trippers with ease!

One of those SUVs eating your dust might just be the Chevy Traverse. Its 3.6L V6 engine is noticeably less powerful with 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. Odds are, it’s going to struggle to keep up.

Haul All Your Favorite Gear

If you’ve got a kayak on the top of your SUV during this road trip, who’s to say there’s not also a camper hitched up to the back?

With hardy chassis and drivelines, both of these new SUVs are capable of hauling ample amounts of cargo. The Chevy Traverse, for example, has a maximum capacity of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, which is plenty for your pop-up camper.

The new Explorer, on the other hand, manages to inch ahead in this category. With its comprehensive Class III Trailer Tow Package equipped, it’s capable of towing 5,600 pounds, making way for a heavier haul than its competitor. If you have a bigger camper or boat, that will surely come in handy.

Maintaining Traction on Tough Roads

Up in the mountains, the terrain may get a little loose or muddy. A smaller vehicle might struggle to maintain wheel-grip in these conditions; however, the Traverse and Explorer add extra features to compensate.

All-wheel-drive systems are available in both models to improve power distribution to your wheels when navigating rugged terrain. Not only that but each is bolstered by a terrain mode selector.

The mode selector in the Chevy Traverse allows drivers to turn the dial to one of four terrain types to fine-tune their wheel-grip. The Terrain Management System™ available in the Explorer, meanwhile, offers seven different modes for more precise control of the roads.

Each mode in the Ford version also offers 3D printed graphics on the 12.3-inch digital cluster behind your steering wheel. You can easily see in real-time how your SUV manages the terrain!

Explorer vs Traverse: Choosing Your Next SUV

Now that you’ve read about all the qualities that set the Ford Explorer and the Chevy Traverse apart, it’s time to see some of them in action. Tunkhannock Ford is happy to help local drivers near Wilkes-Barre, Dallas, Tunkhannock, and Harveys Lake get better acquainted with their top choice.

Contact our Ford dealership online or over the phone when you’re ready to schedule your Ford Explorer test drive.