2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Chevrolet Traverse
Compare the 2025 Ford Explorer vs the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse
If you're in the market for a midsize SUV that effortlessly blends versatility, power, and premium comfort, the 2025 Ford Explorer deserves a spot at the top of your list. Its thoughtful mix of spacious seating, intuitive tech, and confident performance makes it feel equally at home on a family road trip or a daily commute. The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse is another strong contender in the segment, boasting a cavernous cargo space and an adult-friendly third row. How does it fare against the Explorer? Find out in this Ford vs Chevrolet comparison.
Interior Comparison
The Explorer seats six or seven, depending on whether you choose second-row captain's chairs or a bench seat. Those in the front are treated to standard heated seats, the driver getting a 10-way power-adjustable seat and the front passenger a four-way arrangement as standard (upgradable to eight-way). Additionally, premium options such as ventilated and massaging front seats, heated second-row seats, and a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel can make a big difference.
The Explorer's cargo space is decent. It offers 18.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 47.9 cubic feet behind the second row, and up to 87.8 cubic feet with all rear seats folded, accessible via a power liftgate.
The Traverse stands out with a roomier interior overall. It can seat seven or eight passengers; notably, even adults can ride comfortably in the third row, something few midsize SUVs can claim. Legroom and headroom are generous across all rows, making the Traverse ideal for growing families or road trips with a full crew.
Standard interior features include an eight-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and cloth upholstery. Higher trims can also be upgraded with ventilated front seats, a six-way power passenger seat, heated second-row seats, and genuine or synthetic leather. These enable buyers plenty of ways to personalize their comfort.
Where the Traverse shines is cargo space: 22.9 cubic feet behind the third row, 56.6 behind the second, and a whopping 97.6 cubic feet with all seats folded. Moreover, its hands-free power liftgate adds even more convenience when loading up.
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2025 Ford Explorer |
2025 Chevrolet Traverse |
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Max Seating: Seven Max Cargo Capacity: 87.8 cubic feet Upholstery Options: Cloth, ActiveX Material, and Leather |
Max Seating: Eight Max Cargo Capacity: 97.6 cubic feet Upholstery Options: Cloth (Standard), Synthetic or Genuine Leather (Optional) |
Power and Performance
The Explorer offers two engine choices. The 300-horsepower base turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is sufficient for daily driving. However, for those wanting more brawn, there's an available twin-turbocharged V6 that pumps out a robust 400 horsepower, providing the Explorer with a confident kick when launching from a standstill or towing. Either way, the 10-speed automatic transmission shifts gears smoothly and without hesitation. Although rear-wheel drive comes standard, all-wheel drive can be had for improved traction in slippery conditions. Towing capacity is up to 5,000 pounds regardless of what engine you select.
All Traverse trims are driven by a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque. That's respectable output for the class, and the Traverse can merge onto highways or tackle hills without flinching. The eight-speed automatic is responsive, if not quite as sophisticated as the Explorer's 10-speed. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive available for extra traction.
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2025 Ford Explorer |
2025 Chevrolet Traverse |
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Base Engine: Turbocharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder Horsepower: 300 Torque: 310 lb-ft Transmission: 10-Speed Automatic |
Base Engine: Turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder Horsepower: 328 Torque: 326 lb-ft Transmission: Eight-Speed Automatic |
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Available Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 Horsepower: 400 Torque: 415 lb-ft Transmission: 10-Speed Automatic | |
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Max Towing Capacity: 5,000 Pounds Max Payload Capacity: 1,700 Pounds |
Max Towing Capacity: 5,000 Pounds Max Payload Capacity: 1,850 Pounds |
Tech and Entertainment
The Explorer's infotainment system strikes a balance between tech-forward innovation and day-to-day practicality. Its big touchscreen is clear, responsive, and easy to use, with seamless switching between navigation, media, and apps. Ford also adds some physical buttons and knobs to make frequently used functions readily accessible.
The Traverse adopts a more minimalist and intuitive design through its Google-based infotainment system. Based on a large, centrally positioned touchscreen, the system is highly responsive to commands. It integrates naturally with Google services such as Maps, Assistant, and the Play Store. The interface is easy on the eyes and familiar to anyone who has ever worked on an Android device, which can minimize the learning curve by far. Notably, the Traverse maintains tangible controls, and that is a good choice for distraction-free driving.
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2025 Ford Explorer Top Technology Features |
2025 Chevrolet Traverse Top Technology Features |
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Standard
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Safety Features
The Explorer comes well-stocked with a suite of driver-assistance features, including blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and forward collision warning. These technologies work behind the scenes to help keep you aware of your surroundings and actively help you avoid potential accidents. While this list isn't exhaustive, it reflects Ford's focus on equipping the Explorer with the most essential and widely used safety tools. Its strong overall safety ratings further reinforce its credibility, giving drivers peace of mind that they're protected in a wide range of situations.
The Traverse also comes with impressive standard safety features. Blind-spot monitoring keeps an eye on those hard-to-see areas during lane changes, lane-keep assist subtly nudges the steering if you begin to drift, and forward collision warning keeps an electronic eye out for sudden stops or obstacles ahead. Together, these features give drivers extra confidence, whether navigating busy city streets or open highways.
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2025 Ford Explorer Safety Features |
2025 Chevrolet Traverse Safety Features |
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Thomasville Ford Lincoln’s Bottom Line
This 2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Chevrolet Traverse comparison reveals that the Ford Explorer is an ideal choice for families. The Explorer provides flexible seating, refined performance, and a cabin that can shift from utilitarian to upscale with just a few upgrades.
If you think the Explorer is the best option for you, why not take it for a test drive? So, if you're in Thomasville, GA, look no further than Thomasville Ford Lincoln. Swing by our dealership today and experience the Explorer's features firsthand.
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Disclaimer: This content was drafted with AI assistance for initial drafting, reviewed by a subject-matter expert for accuracy, and edited by our team of writers and editors.