2025 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Chevrolet Traverse
Comparison Overview
The most significant performance divergence is the 28 horsepower advantage held by the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse (328 hp) over the 2025 Ford Explorer (300 hp), supplemented by 16 lb-ft more torque (326 lb-ft vs. 310 lb-ft). Despite the power edge, the Traverse is significantly longer at 204.5 inches compared to the Explorer's 198.8 inches, translating directly to better utility; the Traverse offers 22.9 cu ft of cargo space versus the Explorer's 18.2 cu ft. Conversely, the Explorer secures a slight fuel economy victory, achieving a 24 MPG combined rating, one MPG better than the Traverse's 23 MPG combined. Priced negligibly lower at $40,050 versus $40,800, the Explorer returns the benefit of its RWD platform and marginally superior fuel rating to the FWD-based Traverse, making the final decision dependent on prioritizing driving dynamics or maximum interior volume.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Ford Explorer
The 2025 Ford Explorer wins for commuters due to its slightly better 24 MPG combined fuel economy rating.
2026 Chevrolet Traverse
The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse provides superior utility with 22.9 cu ft of cargo capacity, substantially more than the Explorer's 18.2 cu ft.
2026 Chevrolet Traverse
The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse offers higher peak performance figures, delivering 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque.
2025 Ford Explorer
The 2025 Ford Explorer holds a slight value lead by being $750 cheaper while offering superior fuel efficiency at 24 MPG combined.
Choose the Ford Explorer if...
- You prioritize fuel economy, as the Explorer achieves 24 MPG combined versus 23 MPG for the Traverse.
- You prefer a Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) platform for driving dynamics or towing balance.
- You need the lower entry price point, starting at $40,050, which is $750 less than the Traverse.
Choose the Chevrolet Traverse if...
- Maximum storage is essential, as the Traverse offers 22.9 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Explorer's 18.2 cu ft.
- You desire greater standard powertrain output, boasting 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque.
- You benefit from the slightly longer overall length of 204.5 inches for road presence or interior packaging.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Ford Explorer | Chevrolet Traverse |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 198.8" | 204.5" |
| Width | 78.9" | 79.6" |
| Height | 69.9" | 69.6" |
| Wheelbase | 119.1" | 121.0" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Ford | Chevrolet |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | — |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags (with Head Protection Chamber) | ✓ | — |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cross Traffic Alert | — | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Ford | Chevrolet |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.3 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 300 hp @ 5500 rpm | 328 hp @ 5500 rpm |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm | 326 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Ford | Chevrolet |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 10-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | rear wheel drive | front wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Ford | Chevrolet |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 20/29 MPG | 20/27 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 24 MPG | 23 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 358.0/519.1 mi. | 388.0/523.8 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.9 gal. | 19.4 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Ford | Chevrolet |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | ✓ | — |
| Three Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | — | ✓ |
| Leatherette Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Heated Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Sun Sensor | — | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Ford | Chevrolet |
|---|---|---|
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Infotainment Display | — | 17.7 in |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Ford | Chevrolet |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 2 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Ford | Chevrolet |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.7 in. | 42.6 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 43.0 in. | 44.3 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 61.8 in. | 62.3 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 59.2 in. | 58.7 in. |
| Seat Material: Premium Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 4-way |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | — | Power |
| Driver Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
Rearseats
| Feature | Ford | Chevrolet |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.5 in. | 40.0 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.0 in. | 41.5 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 61.9 in. | 62.2 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 59.1 in. | 58.6 in. |
| Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Ford | Chevrolet |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | 18 in | 18 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P255/65R18 | 255/65R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Ford | Chevrolet |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Ford | Chevrolet |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 6 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 1 yr./ unlimited mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Ford Explorer and 2026 Chevrolet Traverse.
Which vehicle has the advantage in straight-line acceleration?
The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse is mechanically advantaged with 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque, notably outproducing the 2025 Ford Explorer's 300 hp and 310 lb-ft.
How does the difference in drivetrain affect daily driving?
The 2025 Ford Explorer utilizes a Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) configuration, often preferred for handling balance, whereas the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse comes standard with Front Wheel Drive (FWD), which can be advantageous in light, slippery conditions.
Is the increased size of the Traverse worth the lower MPG rating?
The Traverse is 5.7 inches longer overall and offers 4.7 cubic feet more cargo volume (22.9 vs 18.2 cu ft), which directly benefits families needing space, though it sacrifices 1 MPG in combined fuel economy compared to the Explorer.
What is the MSRP difference between the base models?
The 2025 Ford Explorer starts at $40,050, making it $750 less expensive than the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse's starting price of $40,800.
Do either of these crossovers require premium fuel?
No, both the 2025 Ford Explorer and the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel.
How does the transmission technology differ between the two crossovers?
The Explorer uses a 10-speed automatic transmission designed for efficiency and performance blending, while the Traverse employs an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
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