The 2023 Ford Explorer vs. the 2023 Chevy Traverse

Are you in the market for a family-friendly three-row crossover? Chances are you've narrowed your search to the Ford Explorer for 2023 and the new Chevy Traverse. Both of these handsome SUVs can provide a substantial amount of comfort and the ability to give you excellent cruising capability. To help you make your decision, here's a comparison of the Explorer and the new Chevy Traverse, and why we think the Ford Explorer is the better choice at Maplecrest Ford of Union in Vauxhall, NJ.

A comparison of key features

The Chevy Traverse and the Ford Explorer both provide plenty of interior space while the Traverse offers an extra seat and a little more room for cargo. The Ford Explorer gives you a more powerful ride which is important when you're passing other vehicles on the highway. The Explorer Timberline trim can take you further into off-road territory than the Traverse.

A comparison of engines and performance

The Ford Explorer gives you a total of three powertrain options while the Chevy Traverse gives you only one. The Explorer offers a standard turbocharged 2.3-liter engine with four cylinders that generates 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. You can upgrade to an available 3.0-liter V6 that's good for 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. Another option with the Explorer is a 3.3-liter V6 hybrid with 318 horsepower and 322 pound-feet of torque.

The Explorer and the Traverse both give you a choice of rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. With the 2023 Chevy Traverse, you're limited to just one engine, a 3.6-liter six-cylinder that has 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The Ford Explorer has better gas mileage with up to 28 MPG on the highway vs. only 27 MPG for the Traverse. So the Ford Explorer wins the powertrain and performance battle with three different powertrain options, better maximum fuel economy and far more available horsepower and torque.

A comparison of trims

The Ford Explorer gives you a total of eight trims to choose from while the Chevy Traverse offers you only six. With the Explorer, Newark and Elizabeth, NJ buyers can choose from the Base, the XLT, the ST-Line, the Timberline, the Limited, the ST, the King Ranch and the Platinum model. The Chevy Traverse offers only six trims: The LS, the LT Cloth, the LT Leather, the RS, the Premier and the High Country.

A comparison of interiors and technology

The standard lineup in the Ford Explorer is more impressive with tri-zone automatic climate control, a power liftgate as well as a power-adjustable driver's seat. The Ford Explorer gives you a standard 8-inch touch-screen while the Chevy Traverse starts with only a standard 7-inch screen. The Explorer allows you to upgrade to a 10.1-inch touchscreen while the Traverse limits Union and Linden, NJ buyers to 8 inches at best. The Ford Explorer offers an available premium Bang & Olufsen stereo with up to 14 speakers while the most you can get with the Chevy Traverse is 10 speakers. So the Ford Explorer wins the battle of standard and available interior technology.

A comparison of safety features

Both the Ford Explorer and the Chevy Traverse give you a long list of standard safety features that include a forward collision warning system, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist plus a rear-view camera. The Ford Explorer comes out ahead by winning an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award while the Chevy Traverse didn't have an IIHS rating.

Come test drive the winning new 2023 Ford Explorer

We believe the Ford Explorer is clearly the better choice and that's why we invite you to look over our new Ford inventory to find the Explorer that looks like the best option for your family. Then schedule a test drive at Maplecrest Ford of Union in Vauxhall, NJ.