2026 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Chevrolet Traverse
When Elizabeth and Randolph buyers are shopping for a three-row SUV that is American-made and ready to meet their needs as a family vehicle, daily driver, and the perfect choice for a road trip, two options are often at the top of their list. They are eager to compare and contrast the 2026 Ford Explorer and the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse to determine which is the better investment. Fortunately, the team at Maplecrest Ford has taken the initiative and is providing an evaluation of these two similarly equipped SUVs to help buyers understand why the 2026 Explorer is the best choice for Morristown residents.
 2026 Ford Explorer |  2026 Chevrolet Traverse |
MSRP | |
| $38,465 | $40,800 |
City/Highway MPG | |
| 20 / 29 | 20 / 27 |
Engine | |
| 2.3-liter I4 turbo | 2.5-liter I4 turbo |
Transmission | |
| 10-Speed Automatic | 8-speed Automatic |
Horsepower | |
| 300 hp | 328 hp |
Taking A Look Under The Hood
The 2026 Explorer is powered by a 2.3-liter I4 turbo engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. A 2.5-liter I4 turbocharged engine with an eight-speed transmission powers the Traverse. As expected, the slightly larger engine delivers more power. But the downside is lower fuel economy with the bigger engine. In a similar vein, these similarly powered SUVs also offer identical three-year or 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranties.
Looking Inside these SUVs
Three rows of seating provide many seating options for the owners of these larger vehicles. They can include bench seats or captain's chairs in the second row, and folding the rear bench seat provides a massive amount of cargo space. As you might expect, many luxury features are available on both models, such as a memory driver's seat, climate-controlled front-row seats, and passenger lumbar support. One of the few features included in the standard equipment on the Explore that is not offered in the basic Traverse is power driver's seat lumbar support.
The Connectivity And Infotainment
As somewhat luxurious SUVs, the Ford Explorer and Chevy Traverse offer a significant number of luxury features and connectivity tech. Each provides buyers with Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and in-car Wi-Fi. One of the more impressive features included by Ford on the Explorer that is not standard in the Traverse is a complete navigation system that is ready to use on the center dash touchscreen. Buyers have many options for upgrading tech features, from larger touchscreens to rear-seat entertainment screens.
Safety Features For Your New SUV
Buyers from Montville and Bridgewater are always very thorough when evaluating the safety features in the vehicles they are considering. This is a critical factor when it comes to the safety of your loved ones and those around your vehicle. While both the Explorer and the Traverse offer many safety features, such as brake assist, blind spot monitoring, and automatic braking, the Explorer includes a few vital features as standard equipment that are not included on the Traverse. One of the features buyers greatly appreciate is active lane-keeping assist, whereas the Traverse only offers a warning for lane-keeping issues. Other features included only by the Explorer include an alarm system, traction control, and stability control.
Looking At The Bottom Line
It is clear to see that both the 2026 Explore and Traverse are nicely equipped vehicles that offer a lot for buyers. But there are a few areas where the 2026 Explorer does exceed the features of the Traverse. What becomes shocking to buyers is that the MSRP of these two SUVs is roughly $2,500 apart, with the 2026 Ford Explorer being the less expensive of the two, making it a great way for buyers to get the most for their money.
Why Buy Your Explorer At Maplecrest Ford
The new and used vehicle team at Maplecrest Ford is eager to help valued customers from Union and Mount Olive review all of their 2026 Explorer options and choose the one that will best meet their needs. We are sure that after a short time taking a few test drives, you will be ready to meet the finance experts and begin the paperwork to get ready to drive home to Newark in your new 2026 Ford Explorer.