New & Used: 9673 Kings Auto Mall Road, Cincinnati, OH 45249
Used: 435 E Galbraith Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45215
Sales:
(513) 741-1111
Service:
(513) 697-5200
Starting at
Starting at
| 3.6 L V6 | Standard Engine | 3.5 L V6 |
| 24.4 cu.ft. | Trunk Space | 21 cu.ft. |
| Yes | OnStar | No |
The crossover SUV class is filled with vehicles that have options, size, safety, and performance differences designed to entice each and every individual customer out there. The 2017 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2017 Ford Explorer in Cincinnati, OH are no different in this respect. Each vehicle has unique advantages over one another, just as each vehicle shares similar traits.
The Traverse and Explorer for the 2017 model year have similarities just as any other vehicles compared to one another in their respective classes. Opting for either vehicle, a customer can expect to endure about the same number of stops to refuel with the Chevrolet Traverse and Ford Explorer as they have similar EPA-EST fuel economy ratings of around 22 MPG Highway.
Both the Explorer and Traverse have similar dimensions; each has a width of around 79 inches and a height of around 70 inches. The Traverse is longer than the Explorer at an overall length of 203 inches versus the Explorer's length of roughly 198 inches.Towing with either vehicle is a no problem as both are capable of hauling an equivalent of roughly 5,000 pounds.
Both the 2017 Chevy Traverse and the 2017 Ford Explorer come with the basic warranty coverage and backing of their respective manufacturers. Each has very similar limited power-train warranty coverage in case of manufacturing defects, faulty materials, or corrosion issues. However, in the bout that is the 2017 Chevy Traverse vs. 2017 Ford Explorer, there can be only one champion.
Both vehicles offer advanced safety features in their 2017 model years. Each offers a traction control system, a rear vision camera, front air bags, a tire pressure monitoring system, as well as some sort of incident response system. Ford uses their “SOS Post-Crash Alert System,” while Chevrolet relies on the “OnStar Automatic Crash Response,” for alerting help after a collision.
The differences in the safety department boil down to the many additional features that OnStar offers versus the Ford competitor.
Aside from the automatic crash response system that OnStar equips in the 2017 Traverse, OnStar gives the Traverse owners a Crisis Assist feature, OnStar hands-free calling, remote door unlock, remote horn & lights, remote ignition block, roadside assistance, stolen vehicle assistance, turn-by-turn navigation, vehicle diagnostics, and an OnStar low mileage discount. Ford does offer a SecuriLock passive anti-theft system.
The Traverse also comes equipped with a dual-note horn, front passenger air bag suppression and rear child door locks, features that cannot be found on the Explorer.
The Chevy Traverse also scored a 2017 5-Star overall vehicle safety score, a rating the Explorer unfortunately cannot claim.
The base model Explorer comes standard with a 3.5L Ti-VCT V6.
The Traverse has a 3.6L V6 as its standard powertrain. Each vehicle's motor is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission to help with fuel economy.
The Explorer has an 18-gallon fuel tank; whereas, the Traverse holds an additional 4 gallons at a 22-gallon capacity tank.
Ford’s 3.5L V6 is rated at 290 horsepower @6500 RPM with a 255 lb-ft torque ratio @ 4000 RPM.
Chevy’s 3.6L V6 gets 281 horsepower @6300 RPM and a torque ratio of 266 lb-ft @ 3400 RPM, (with dual exhaust equipped.)
Ford uses a electronic fuel injection system, while, Chevrolet uses a direct injection fuel delivery system.
The Traverse can tow up to 5,200 pounds in either front or four wheel drive transmissions, while the Explorer has a maximum towing capacity of only 5,000 pounds.
Ford offers 3 different engine options in this year’s Explorer model. The 3.5L V6 mentioned above, a 2.3L EcoBoost I4, and the 3.5L V6 with EcoBoost. Ford’s baseline model has a MSRP starting at $31,660. Chevy sticks with its reliable 3.6L V6 and has a starting MSRP of $28,000.
The interiors of each large crossover SUV are similar, yet the Traverse excels in this department. Chevy offers an 8-passenger capacity for this year's Traverse, while the Explorer only offers 7.
Each model does, however, offer a third row of seating, but the Traverse offers better spaciousness if an adult happens to be occupying the third row. The third row seating dimensions are
Traverse
(Inches)
Head
Leg
Shoulder
Hip
Explorer
As well as more comfort, if one finds themselves stuck in the back of a large crossover SUV, it is nice to know that extra storage is easily accessible in either model by a split folding third row seat.
The Traverse’s interior offers an OnStar basic plan for 5 years, OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi, and the OnStar Guidance plan 3 month trial, standard even in the base model.
The Explorer offers none of this on the standard base model.
The Traverse offers a Dual Audio system USB charge-only port located at the rear of the center console. The Explorer offers only one “Smart Charging” port in the front. Chevy also installed an auxiliary input jack into the Traverse. While, the Explorer, according to Ford.com, doesn’t feature one.
Chevy packs in a “Bluetooth” for phone - personal cell phone connectivity to the vehicle’s audio system, a feature that the base Explorer does not offer.
In the rear cargo area Chevy has included a neat cargo compartment located in the floor. Neatly tucked away with a lid, extra storage for things like a first aid kit, snow and ice scrapers and brushes are securely stowed away out of sight and out of mind until needed.
The Traverse also offers an additional 34.6 cubic feet of storage space, which is not offered by the Explorer.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
