Compare the2024 Ford ExplorerVS 2023 Chevrolet Traverse

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Ford Explorer have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Chevrolet Traverse doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Ford Explorer are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Chevrolet Traverse doesn’t offer height-adjustable front seat belts.

The Ford Explorer has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Traverse doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Explorer has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Traverse doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Explorer (except Base/XLT/Limited/Timberline) offers an optional Reverse Brake Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Traverse doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Explorer has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Traverse’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Explorer has standard Cross Traffic Alert to warn the driver of approaching traffic and automatically engage the brakes to help avoid a collision. Chevrolet charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Traverse and the Traverse’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

The Explorer’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Traverse doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Explorer and the Traverse have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Explorer is safer than the Chevrolet Traverse:

	Explorer	Traverse
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	125	216
Neck Stress	167 lbs.	198 lbs.
Neck Compression	26 lbs.	77 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	318	333
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.9 inches
Neck Injury Risk	29.2%	35.2%

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford Explorer is safer than the Chevrolet Traverse:

	Explorer	Traverse
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	65	69
Chest Movement	.9 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	161 lbs.	161 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	86	134
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	39 G’s
Hip Force	604 lbs.	716 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	14 inches

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Ford Explorer is safer than the Traverse:

	Explorer	Traverse
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	86	141
Neck Tension	223 lbs.	446 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.91 in	1.3 in
Shoulder Force	134 lbs.	312 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.06 in	1.5 in
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	6 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	982 lbs.	1116 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	168	189
Neck Compression	22 lbs.	201 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.98 in	1.02 in
Torso Deflection Rate	9 MPH	10 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	825 lbs.	848 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Explorer the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 85 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Traverse last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2017.

Warranty

The Explorer’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Traverse’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Reliability

The Explorer has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Traverse doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Explorer has a standard 760-amp battery. The Traverse’s 600-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

Engine

The Explorer’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 44 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 266) than the Traverse’s 3.6 DOHC V6. The Explorer ST/King Ranch/Platinum’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 90 more horsepower (400 vs. 310) and 149 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 266) than the Traverse’s 3.6 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Ford Explorer is faster than the Chevrolet Traverse:

	Explorer turbo 4 cyl.	Explorer ST/King Ranch/Platinum	Traverse
Zero to 60 MPH	6.2 sec	5.2 sec	6.8 sec
Quarter Mile	14.9 sec	13.8 sec	15.1 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Explorer gets better mileage than the Traverse:

			MPG
Explorer
	RWD	2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/28 hwy
	AWD	2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/27 hwy
Traverse
	FWD	3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/27 hwy
	AWD	3.6 DOHC V6	17 city/25 hwy

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Ford Explorer, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the Traverse.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Explorer’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Traverse:

	Explorer	Explorer ST	Traverse
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	14.3 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	12.4 inches	13.8 inches	12.4 inches

The Explorer ST’s optional front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Traverse are solid, not vented.

The Explorer stops much shorter than the Traverse:

	Explorer	Traverse
70 to 0 MPH	161 feet	183 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	135 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Explorer’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Traverse (275/45R21 vs. 255/65R18).

The Explorer’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Traverse’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Explorer offers optional 21-inch wheels. The Traverse’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the Explorer can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Traverse doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

Suspension and Handling

The Explorer has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Traverse’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Explorer’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Traverse doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Explorer’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the Traverse’s (56.6% to 43.4%). This gives the Explorer more stable handling and braking.

The Explorer ST 4WD handles at .86 G’s, while the Traverse RS AWD pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Explorer ST 4WD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the Traverse Premier AWD (26.4 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Explorer’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Traverse’s (38.4 feet vs. 39 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Explorer King Ranch has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Traverse (7.9 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the Explorer to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Explorer Timberline’s minimum ground clearance is 1.2 inches higher than on the Traverse (8.7 vs. 7.5 inches).

Chassis

The Explorer is 7.1 inches shorter than the Traverse, making the Explorer easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Explorer XLT 4WD is quieter than the Traverse High Country AWD:

	Explorer	Traverse
At idle	40 dB	41 dB
Full-Throttle	73 dB	76 dB
70 MPH Cruising	66 dB	67 dB

Passenger Space

The Explorer has 2 inches more front legroom, 1.1 inches more front hip room, .5 inches more rear headroom, .6 inches more rear legroom, 2.2 inches more rear hip room and .7 inches more third row headroom than the Traverse.

Cargo Capacity

The Explorer has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The Traverse doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

A standard locking glovebox and optional locking center console (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Explorer. The Traverse doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The Explorer’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Traverse’s (3000 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Chevrolet Traverse is only 5000 pounds. The Explorer 4WD offers up to a 5600 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Explorer uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Traverse doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Explorer is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Traverse. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The Explorer’s front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Traverse’s front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

The Explorer’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Traverse’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted. The Explorer’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Explorer’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Traverse’s headlights are rated “Poor.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Explorer Platinum has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Traverse doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Explorer has a standard center folding armrest for the middle row passengers. A center armrest helps make middle row passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Traverse doesn’t offer a middle row seat center armrest.

The Explorer ST/King Ranch/Platinum offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Traverse.

The Explorer ST/Platinum’s optional Active Park Assist 2.0 can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Traverse doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Explorer is less expensive to operate than the Traverse because it costs $300 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Explorer than the Traverse, including $79 less for a water pump, $126 less for front brake pads, $183 less for a starter, $238 less for fuel injection, $123 less for a fuel pump, $12 less for front struts and $383 less for a timing belt/chain.

Recommendations

The Ford Explorer outsold the Chevrolet Traverse by over two to one during 2022.