2021 Ford Expedition vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was a nod to the past, with Chevy using styling details to give each trim level its own identity. The exterior was a typical SUV design with a tall roof, chunky wheel arches, and a big grille, which appealed to many buyers. However, it lacked the personality of the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride, and the streamlined appearance of the Mazda CX-9. The Traverse's restrained styling highlighted the cosmetic elements of different trims, such as blacked-out trim on the RS model and chrome on the High Country. The interior mirrored the exterior's simplicity, with an optional Dual SkyScape sunroof as a standout feature. Materials in the RS model were decent but not quite up to the $50,000 price tag.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Expedition Platinum greeted us with a luxurious and spacious interior after a long flight. The Platinum trim was the most luxurious, capping a lineup that started with the XL STX and included the XLT, Limited, and King Ranch. The test vehicle, priced at $80,510, featured Magnetic gray paint, 4WD, and a Heavy Duty Trailer Tow Package. Despite its plush interior, the Expedition struggled to accommodate all our luggage, highlighting the utility of minivans. The Expedition Platinum boasted a detailed chrome grille, 22-inch wheels, and brightwork, making it a striking vehicle. The extended-length MAX version would have solved our cargo issues, offering more space for passengers and luggage.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse came with a single engine option: a 3.6-liter V6 producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Despite the impressive specs, the Traverse didn't feel as powerful as expected, though it provided sufficient power for highway merging and overtaking. The nine-speed automatic generally performed well but occasionally had rough shifts. The Traverse excelled in highway road manners, offering a quiet cabin and comfortable ride, though it lacked agility on twisty roads. The AWD system, which required manual activation, could send torque to individual wheels but didn't noticeably improve handling. The Traverse had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, average for the segment.

The 2021 Ford Expedition, on the other hand, featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and either RWD or 4WD. The engine produced 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, with the Platinum trim boosting these figures to 400 hp and 480 lb-ft. The Expedition's towing capacity ranged from 9,000 to 9,300 pounds, depending on the specification, and it offered Pro Trailer Backup Assist for easier trailer maneuvering. The Expedition impressed with its acceleration, even when fully loaded, and the transmission operated smoothly. The Platinum's 22-inch wheels affected ride quality, but the adaptive damping suspension and independent rear suspension ensured a stable ride. The FX4 Off-Road Package added off-road capabilities, though our test vehicle didn't have this option. The Expedition averaged 17.1 mpg in our tests, slightly below the EPA's combined rating of 19 mpg.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse offered seating for seven or eight, with above-average headroom and legroom in all three rows. Heated front seats were standard on the RS trim, with ventilated front seats and heated rear seats available on higher trims. The Traverse excelled in cargo space, offering 23.0 cubic feet with all seats in place, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row stowed, and 98.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. A power liftgate was optional on the LT Cloth trim and standard on higher trims, with a gesture-activated liftgate available on the Premier and High Country models. Despite its size, the Traverse lacked interior storage options, a common issue among midsize three-row crossovers.

The 2021 Ford Expedition excelled in comfort and utility, with large, wide seats for all passengers, including adults in the third row. The test vehicle's front seats offered a massage function, adding to the comfort. The Expedition's independent rear suspension ensured a smooth ride for all passengers. Storage was plentiful, with cargo volume expanding from 19.3 cubic feet to 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 104.6 cubic feet with all seats down. The Expedition MAX offered even more space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 73.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 121.5 cubic feet with all seats down. However, the cargo floor's high liftover height could be a challenge when loading heavy items.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot, and a Bose 10-speaker audio system. The 8-inch screen in the RS model was user-friendly, with large icons and analog controls for audio and climate. The Traverse also featured a rearview camera mirror and an optional HD surround-view camera system. Each row had two USB ports, but wireless phone charging was only standard on the Premier and High Country models.

The 2021 Ford Expedition featured the Sync 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, FordPass Connect services, and a navigation system. The system included Amazon Alexa compatibility and enhanced voice recognition. The test vehicle had a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system and wireless smartphone charging but lacked the dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system. This system, available on all trims except the XL STX, included dual screens, a DVD player, gaming system inputs, and the ability to stream content from a mobile device.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse received top "Good" scores in all crash tests from the IIHS, along with a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention. However, it received "Acceptable" and "Poor" headlight ratings and an "Acceptable" rating for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA awarded the Traverse a five-star overall safety rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests, and five stars in side-impact tests. The Traverse offered less standard driver-assist tech than competitors, with features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist only available on higher trims.

The 2021 Ford Expedition, with a minimum curb weight of 5,368 pounds, had a safety advantage over most vehicles. The NHTSA gave the Expedition a five-star overall crash-test rating, though the RWD model received a three-star rollover-resistance rating, while the 4WD model earned four stars. The Expedition came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, a semi-autonomous parking assistance system, and a 360-degree surround-view camera system.