Head-to-head
2026 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2026 Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer wins clearly, 92.7 to 73.6, on tech & comfort, fuel & range. The Chevrolet Traverse is ahead on safety.
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2026 Chevrolet Traverse
The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Traverse FWD, is EPA-rated a…
vs
F2026 Ford Explorer
The 2026 Ford Explorer is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Explorer RWD, is EPA-rated at 24 …
More Chevrolet Traverse head-to-heads More Ford Explorer head-to-heads Every Traverse vs Explorer model year
Verdict · default weights
2026 Ford Explorer
Clear winThe Ford Explorer wins clearly, 92.7 to 73.6, on tech & comfort, fuel & range. The Chevrolet Traverse is ahead on safety.
Tech & comfort 2026 Ford Explorer leads by 86
Safety 2026 Chevrolet Traverse leads by 13.2
Fuel & range 2026 Ford Explorer leads by 8.2
| Category · weight | 2026 Chevrolet Traverseoverall 73.6 | 2026 Ford Exploreroverall 92.7 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 91.8 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 91.3 | 78.1 | |||||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | |||||||||||||||||
| Space & cargonot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Performancenot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 14 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | |||||||||||||||||
| Warrantyw 2 | 100 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Basic and powertrain coverage in years and miles. | |||||||||||||||||
| Overall | 73.6 | 92.7 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 4 of 7 categories compared
Chevrolet Traverse: base trim LT FWD · Ford Explorer: base trim Active Base RWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2026 Ford Explorer wins
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (28.5 points against 4 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It lists 33 standard driver-assist features against 21.
- It is rated 24 combined against 22 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
Where the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse answers
- It has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 89 against 53).
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (29 against 44 filed with NHTSA).
What they share
- 5 NHTSA stars.
- A 3-year basic warranty.
- 36,000-mile basic coverage.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
44 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Chevrolet TraverseLT FWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $40,800 | — |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | twin turbo | twin turbo |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 4 |
| Engine type (full description) | 4-cylinder 2.5L VVT Turbo with stop/start, gas | 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 with Auto Start-Stop |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | — |
| Valve configuration | Dual-overhead camshafts, four-valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing | — |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 328 hp | — |
| Torque | 326 lb-ft | — |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 20 mpg | — |
| MPG (combined) | 23 mpg | — |
| MPG (highway) | 27 mpg | — |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.49:1 | 3.58 |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | 10 |
| Transmission type | automatic | automatic hybrid |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Overall height | 70.9 in | — |
| Overall length | 205 in | — |
| Overall width | 79.6 in | — |
| Wheelbase | 121 in | — |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 3rd row | 98 cu-ft | — |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 42.6 in | — |
| Second-row headroom | 40 in | — |
| Third-row headroom | 38.3 in | — |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 44.3 in | — |
| Second-row legroom | 41.5 in | — |
| Third-row legroom | 32.1 in | — |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | MacPherson strut | Independent |
| Rear suspension type | 5-link Independent | Independent |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Electric variable-effort power steering | Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 39 ft | — |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 321 mm | — |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | — |
| Parking brake type | — | Electric Parking Brake with Auto Hold |
| Rear brake diameter | 315 mm | — |
| Rear brake type | solid disc | — |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 18 in | 18 in |
| Wheel material | aluminum | Aluminum |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 255/65R18 | P255/65R18 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 19.4 gal | 17.9 gal |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | — | Ford Connectivity Package |
| Connected services trial (premium tier) | — | 84 months |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | — | 12 months |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 62.3 in | — |
| Second-row shoulder room | 62.2 in | — |
| Third-row shoulder room | 57.7 in | — |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
105 features · differences first, then sharedSafety46 differ · 51 listed
| Feature | Chevrolet TraverseLT FWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 360-Degree Camera (with Split View) | std | — |
| Rear Cross Traffic Braking | — | std |
| Airbags – All Rows: Safety Canopy® Side-Curtain with Rollover Sensor | — | std |
| Airbags – First Row: Driver and Passenger Dual-Stage Front | — | std |
| Airbags – First Row: Front-seat Side | — | std |
| Evasive Steering Assist | — | std |
| Lane-Keeping System – Lane-Keeping Alert / Driver Alert | — | std |
| Driver Attention Assist | std | — |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | std |
| Trailer Sway Control | — | std |
| AdvanceTrac™ with RSC® (Roll Stability Control™) | — | std |
| Airbags – First Row: Driver Knee | — | std |
| Blind Zone Steering Assist | std | — |
| BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-Traffic Alert, Exit Warning and Trailer Coverage | — | std |
| Buckle to Drive | std | — |
| Curve Control | — | std |
| Electric Parking Brake with Auto Hold | — | std |
| Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist | opt | — |
| Following Distance Indicator | std | — |
| Ford Co-Pilot360™ Assist+ (base ADAS suite) | — | std |
| Four-Wheel Disc Brakes with Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), Electric Brake Boost and ESC | — | std |
| HD Rear Vision Camera | std | — |
| Hill Start Assist | — | std |
| Intersection Assist | — | std |
| Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking | std | — |
| Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert | std | — |
| LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether Anchors for Children) on Second and Third Row Outboard Seating Positions | — | std |
| Perimeter Alarm | — | std |
| Personal Safety System™ (driver and front passenger – dual-stage front airbags, belt pretensioners, energy-management retractors, belt usage sensors, driver seat position sensor, crash severity sensor, restraint control module, Front-Passenger Sensing System) | — | std |
| Post-Collision Braking | — | std |
| Rear Cross Traffic Braking | std | — |
| Rear Park Assist | std | — |
| Rear Pedestrian Alert | std | — |
| Rear Seat Reminder | std | — |
| Rear View Camera with Backup Assist Grid Lines | — | std |
| Safety Alert Seat | std | — |
| Safety Canopy® Side-Curtain with Rollover Sensor | — | std |
| Side Bicyclist Alert | std | — |
| Side-Wind Stabilization | — | std |
| SOS Post-Crash Alert System™ | — | std |
| Speed Sign Recognition | — | std |
| Super Cruise | opt | — |
| Teen Driver | std | — |
| Traffic Sign Recognition | std | — |
| Individual Tire Pressure Monitoring System (ITPMS) | — | std |
| SecuriLock® Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) | — | std |
| Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go and Lane Centering | std | std |
| Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) – Pedestrian Detection | std | std |
| Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) – Forward Collision Warning | std | std |
| Lane-Keeping System – Lane-Keeping Assist | std | std |
| Auto High-Beam Headlamps | std | std |
Infotainment14 differ · 14 listed
| Feature | Chevrolet TraverseLT FWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Ford App – Remotely lock and unlock vehicle | — | std |
| Unlimited Wi-Fi Hotspot (via Ford Connectivity Package) | — | std |
| Ford App – Locate parked vehicle | — | std |
| 5G Modem | — | std |
| 911 Assist® | — | std |
| Audio – AM/FM Stereo, MP3 Capable, Six (6) Speakers, Speed-Compensated Volume, SiriusXM® with 360L | — | std |
| Bose Audio | std | — |
| Ford Connectivity Package (1-year Included) | — | std |
| Ford Connectivity Package (One-time purchase – 7 years) (91D) | — | opt |
| Ford Digital Experience – 13.2" Color LCD Touchscreen in IP Center-Stack with Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ Wireless Compatibility | — | std |
| Ford Power-Up Software Update Capability | — | std |
| SiriusXM with 360L (3-year plan) (94B) | — | opt |
| Steering Wheel with Mounted Features – Audio Controls | — | std |
| USB Ports, First Row and Second Row (Ford Digital Experience standard); Third Row USB included on 200A+ | — | std |
Convenience4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Chevrolet TraverseLT FWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 4-Door Intelligent Access (Lock/Unlock) with Push-Button Start | — | std |
| Remote Start | std | — |
| Manual Liftgate | — | std |
| Powerpoints (12V) – three (3) | — | std |
Climate2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Chevrolet TraverseLT FWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-Zone Electronic Temperature Control | — | std |
| Cabin Particulate Air Filter | — | std |
Seating4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Chevrolet TraverseLT FWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| First Row Heated Seats | std | — |
| Seats – Second Row 35/30/35 Bench with E-Z Entry and Armrests (17U) | — | opt |
| Second Row Captain's Chairs with E-Z Entry and Armrests | — | std |
| Unique Cloth Seating | — | std |
Interior10 differ · 10 listed
| Feature | Chevrolet TraverseLT FWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Heated Steering Wheel | std | — |
| Compass | — | std |
| Instrument Panel Cluster – 12.3" Color LCD Productivity Screen | — | std |
| Rotary Gear Shift Dial | — | std |
| Day/Night Rearview Mirror – Manually Adjustable | — | std |
| Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors (Driver and Front Passenger) | — | std |
| Steering Column – Manual Tilt/Telescoping | — | std |
| Floor Mats – Black Carpet, Front and Second Rows | — | std |
| Overhead Console with Sunglasses Storage | — | std |
| Trip Computer | — | std |
Exterior11 differ · 11 listed
| Feature | Chevrolet TraverseLT FWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 18" Spare Wheel and Jack Kit (76U) | — | opt |
| Active Grille Shutters | — | std |
| Configurable Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) | — | std |
| Easy Fuel® Capless Fuel Filler | — | std |
| LED Low and High Beam Headlamps with Courtesy Delay / Wiper-Activated | — | std |
| LED Taillamps | — | std |
| Mirrors, Sideview – Heated Glass | — | std |
| Tire Inflator and Sealant Kit | — | std |
| Privacy Glass – Second Row, Third Row and Liftgate | — | std |
| Rear-Window Defroster and Washer | — | std |
| Rear Spoiler – Body-Color | — | std |
Powertrain7 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Chevrolet TraverseLT FWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| FWD | std | — |
| Battery Saver | — | std |
| Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) | — | std |
| Engine – 2.3L EcoBoost® I-4 with Auto Start-Stop | — | std |
| Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor® | — | std |
| Selectable Drive Modes | — | std |
| Transmission – 10-Speed Automatic | — | std |
Chassis1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Chevrolet TraverseLT FWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Independent Front and Rear Suspension | — | std |
Cargo1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Chevrolet TraverseLT FWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Class III Trailer Tow Package | — | std |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPChevrolet Traverse
Safety Signal 89 B
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 2
Owner complaints 29 · 4 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Electrical System (8), Service Brakes (7), Forward Collision Avoidance (7)
Top recalls
- high Seats 26V696000 · 4 vehicles
- minor Equipment 26V114000 · 5,861 vehicles
Ford Explorer
Safety Signal 53 F
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 15 · 3 filed unfixed
Owner complaints 44 · 3 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Electrical System (11), Unspecified (11), Visibility/Wiper (7)
Top recalls
- high Air Bags 26V581000 · 7 vehicles
- high Engine And Engine Cooling 26V548000 · 10,001 vehicles · filed unfixed
- high Engine And Engine Cooling 26V532000 · 6 vehicles
- high Seats 26V451000 · 387,911 vehicles · filed unfixed
- high Engine And Engine Cooling 26V343000 · 1,536 vehicles
- high Engine And Engine Cooling 26V205000 · 278 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Chevrolet TraverseLT FWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $40,800 (base trim) | — (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $40,800 – $55,400 7 trims | — 12 trims |
| Powertrains | GAS | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Traverse FWD | Explorer RWD |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 22 | 24 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $3,050 | $2,800 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi (make terms) | 3 yr / 36,000 mi (make terms) |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi (make terms) | 5 yr / 60,000 mi (make terms) |
| Roadside assistance | 5 yr | 5 yr |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse or the 2026 Ford Explorer?
The Ford Explorer wins clearly, 92.7 to 73.6, on tech & comfort, fuel & range. The Chevrolet Traverse is ahead on safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Ford Explorer scores 92.7 and the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse 73.6. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse or the 2026 Ford Explorer?
2026 Chevrolet Traverse: 5 NHTSA stars, grade B, 2 recalls. 2026 Ford Explorer: 5 NHTSA stars, grade F, 15 recalls (3 filed with no repair available). Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse and the 2026 Ford Explorer?
Where the 2026 Ford Explorer wins: it lists more comfort and tech equipment (28.5 points against 4 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), lists 33 standard driver-assist features against 21, and is rated 24 combined against 22 (EPA mpg or MPGe). Where the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse answers: it has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 89 against 53) and has drawn fewer owner complaints (29 against 44 filed with NHTSA). What they share: 5 NHTSA stars, a 3-year basic warranty, and 36,000-mile basic coverage.