2025 Chevy Traverse Vs. 2025 Ford Explorer Comparison
Drivers who are comparing the Chevy Traverse vs. Ford Explorer are generally looking for a three-row powerhouse that's ready for both family fun and moving day. While each of these vehicles has three rows and a bevy of features to consider, it's more than likely that only one will end up in your driveway. The team here at Bomnin Chevrolet Homestead has put together this Ford Explorer vs. Chevy Traverse comparison to help you determine which option is right for you.
As we shall see, the Traverse offers more to motorists. It has, for example, up to eight seats, while the Explorer tops out at seven. When it's your turn to drive the carpool, that missing seat could really matter. Read on to learn about these vehicles' specs, interiors, safety ratings, and just about everything else you need to make your final judgement.
Chevy Traverse vs. Ford Explorer: Specs
The Chevy Traverse comes with a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that pairs muscle with efficiency. It makes 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque, allowing you to race down the road in this dynamic three-row SUV. The smooth-shifting and refined eight-speed automatic transmission pairs well with standard front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive.
Front-wheel-drive models score an EPA-estimated 20/27/23 MPG (City/Highway/Combined),1 while all-wheel-drive variants get an EPA-estimated 19/24/21 MPG (City/Highway/Combined).2 The vehicle can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped – you can reach this maximum with front- or all-wheel drive. These impressive Chevy Traverse specs make for a compelling ride.
The Ford Explorer has two engine options. The standard setup is a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that puts out 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Both of these numbers fall short of the Traverse SUV's engine. If you opt for the Ford Explorer ST, you'll find a twin-turbocharged V-6 that provides 400 horsepower, but this engine is locked into the pricey range-topping trim or as an expensive upgrade for the penultimate model.
While the Explorer is less powerful than the Traverse in their standard configurations, it does not get significant fuel economy savings as a result. Rear-wheel-drive Explorers score an EPA-estimated 20/29/24 MPG (City/Highway/Combined)3 with the standard engine. All-wheel-drive iterations earn an EPA-estimated 20/27/23 MPG (City/Highway/Combined)3 with that same powertrain. The V-6 models have even lower gas mileage estimates.
Ford Explorer vs. Chevy Traverse: Dimensions
As we noted above, the Chevy Traverse seating is more accommodating than that of the Explorer – the Chevy SUV can hold up to eight people, while the Ford model tops out at seven. We'll now explore these machines' dimensions in order to find out which will provide a better experience for you and your loved ones.
The new Chevy Traverse is up to 204.7 inches long, nearly 80 inches wide, and up to 70.7 inches tall. By comparison, the new Explorer is 198.7 inches long, 78.9 inches wide, and up to 70.2 inches tall. The extra six inches of space and other larger exterior dimensions translate to more interior room for occupants – so much so that it can comfortably fit in a whole extra seat – suggesting that the SUV makes better use of its internal space.
Chevy Traverse Interior Dimensions
The 2025 Traverse has the following maximum passenger dimensions:
- Headroom (First/Second/Third Row): 42.6 inches/39.9 inches/38.3 inches
- Legroom (First/Second/Third Row): 44.3 inches/41.5 inches/32.1 inches
- Shoulder Room (First/Second/Third Row): 62.3 inches/62.2 inches/57.7 inches
Chevy Traverse cargo space measures 22.9 cubic feet with all of the seats up. If you fold down the Chevy Traverse third-row seating, you'll unlock 56.6 cubic feet. Lowering both back rows allows you to store 97.6 cubic feet of gear in this spacious machine. Please contact us today to schedule a test drive and experience this accommodating interior for yourself.
Ford Explorer Interior Dimensions
Ford has not published the specs of the Ford Explorer interior – as a result, we are relying on third-party sources for this information. According to the experts at Edmunds and Car and Driver, the Explorer has the following maximum passenger dimensions:
- Headroom (First/Second/Third Row): 40.7 inches/40.5 inches/38.9 inches4,5
- Legroom (First/Second/Third Row): 43 inches/39 inches/32.2 inches4,5
- Shoulder Room (First/Second/Third Row): 61.8 inches/61.9 inches/54.6 inches4,5
While the Ford Explorer seating specs are neck and neck with those of the Traverse – though the Chevy SUV still has its maximum wins – its cargo dimensions are significantly less impressive. With all the seats up, the Ford Explorer trunk space measures 16.3 cubic feet. On the other end of the spectrum, the maximum Ford Explore
2025 Chevy Traverse vs. Ford Explorer: Chart
| 2025 Chevy Traverse | 2025 Ford Explorer | |
| 328 | Standard Horsepower | 300 |
| 326 | Standard Torque | 310 lb-ft |
| 42.6 / 39.9 / 38.3 in | Max. Headroom (1st / 2nd / 3rd Row) | 40.7 / 40.5 / 38.9 in4,5 |
| 44.3 / 41.5 / 32.1 in | Legroom (1st / 2nd / 3rd Row) | 43 / 39 / 32.2 in4,5 |
| 97.6 cu ft | Max. Cargo Space | 85.3 cu ft |
| 5,000 lbs6 | Max. Towing Capacity | 5,000 lbs7 |
Ford Explorer vs. Chevy Traverse: Safety Ratings
The Chevy Traverse safety rating is more impressive than that of the Explorer – it earned an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) 2025 Top Safety Pick award,8 an honor that was not bestowed on the Ford Explorer. While the Ford Explorer safety rating is not terrible, it's clear that the experts consider the Traverse to be a cut above.
Find Your Winning SUV at Bomnin Chevrolet Homestead
Between the copious Chevy Traverse trunk space, the vehicle's stronger safety score, and its additional available seat, this SUV is clearly the preferable pick for your large or growing family. We provide competitive financing opportunities for qualifying drivers, making it easier to bring this car home.
Our store also offers rotating new Chevy specials that can include reduced down payments and compelling interest rates.
Please contact us today to learn more about our incentives, discuss the Chevy Traverse interior, or set up a test drive. All of us are excited to work with you!
1EPA-estimated 20 city/27 hwy 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder FWD.
2EPA-estimated 19 city/24 hwy 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder AWD.
3EPA-estimated city/hwy mpg for the model indicated. See fueleconomy.gov for fuel economy of other engine/transmission combinations. Actual mileage will vary. On plug-in hybrid models and electric models, fuel economy is stated in MPGe. MPGe is the EPA equivalent measure of gasoline fuel efficiency for electric mode operation.
4Reference to this third-party review/claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For more details, please visit https://www.edmunds.com/ford/explorer/2025/features-specs/
5Reference to this third-party review/claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For more details, please visit https://www.caranddriver.com/ford/explorer/specs#
6Before you buy a vehicle or use it for trailering, carefully review the Trailering section of the Owner's Manual. The weight of passengers, cargo and options or accessories may reduce the amount you can tow.
7When properly equipped. See dealer for details.
8Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, visit www.iihs.org