2021 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse evoked a nostalgic aura, blending modern and classic design elements. Chevrolet relied on detailed styling to give each trim level a unique identity, much like it did with the Impala and Caprice in the past. The Traverse's exterior embodied a typical SUV aesthetic with a tall roof, pronounced wheel arches, and a prominent grille. It wasn’t the most bold design, but it certainly exuded a clean and handsome look that appealed to many buyers, arguably more so than the Toyota Highlander or Hyundai Palisade. However, competitors like the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride added a bit more flair, and the Mazda CX-9 showcased a more streamlined design.

Different Traverse trims emphasized various styles—a blacked-out trim for the RS, a splash of chrome for the High Country, and options like the Redline, Sport, and Midnight packages for lower trims. Starting with 18-inch wheels on the base L trim and offering 20-inch wheels on higher trims, the Traverse ensured a progressive sense of style. Underneath, it shared its platform with the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Cadillac XT6, catering to a more premium audience compared to the blue-collar Traverse.

Inside, the Traverse continued its restrained style but with noteworthy features such as the optional Dual SkyScape two-panel sunroof. Materials in the higher-level RS model were fairly good, though not entirely matchworthy of the near $50,000 price tag, a common trade-off for most mid-size three-row crossovers.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, by contrast, represented Ford’s dedication to a family resemblance across its SUV lineup, from the Escape to the Expedition. This family look drew parallels to the brand loyalty marketing strategies of the 1950s. The Explorer shared much of its exterior styling with the Edge but stood out with sporty, raked beltlines and distinctive headlights.

The Explorer presented six trim levels, each with varied exterior elements like black grilles, chrome trim, and others, catering to a range from the base model to the luxurious Platinum. Inside, every Explorer trim provided three rows of seating. While the base model came with cloth upholstery, higher trims added more features, enhancing comfort and aesthetics as one ascended the pricing ladder.

The interior featured a clean dashboard with an 8-inch LCD touchscreen, familiar gauges, and practical storage solutions like a rotary gearshift, numerous bins, cupholders, and a spacious center console.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse came equipped with a lone 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. While previously a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder was offered, the V6 was the sole option for 2021, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Driving the Traverse, one might have found the V6 not as robust off the line but potent for highway maneuvers. The transmission mostly delivered, bar the occasional harsh shift.

On highways, the Traverse demonstrated commendable behavior with its quiet cabin and comfortable suspension, though it lacked the agility of rivals like the Subaru Ascent. The all-wheel-drive system, which required manual activation, could send 50% of torque to the front wheels or 85% to the rear, but the performance benefit wasn't overtly noticeable. Nevertheless, it provided off-road and tow/haul modes and held a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, competitive but outmatched by the Nissan Pathfinder and Ford Explorer.

On the 2021 Ford Explorer side, the entry-level engine was a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder generating 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Despite its weight of 4,345 pounds, this powertrain performed admirably. All trims utilized a 10-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift, ensuring seamless shifts.

The Explorer’s engine lineup also included a V6 hybrid, delivering 310 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque. Higher trims boasted a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, with 365 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque in most trims, and an elevated 400 horsepower with 415 pound-feet of torque for the ST version. This range allowed the Explorer diverse performance levels, including the ST’s engaging drive.

Regarding towing, the Explorer excelled with a range between 5,000 and 5,600 pounds based on trim and engine options, making it a robust contender for towing needs. Notably, it fell just short of larger SUVs like the Chevrolet Tahoe or Ford Expedition but surpassed many in the mid-size segment.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse provided seating for seven or eight, with configurations for a second-row bench or captain's chairs. It boasted above-average headroom and legroom across all rows, although not class-leading. Higher trims offered heated and ventilated seats, enhancing comfort.

In terms of cargo space, the Traverse excelled with 23.0 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 57.8 cubic feet with the third row folded and up to 98.2 cubic feet with all rear seats down. This substantial cargo capacity outshined most competitors, although it lagged in interior storage options, a frequent issue in midsize crossovers. However, features like a power liftgate and a power 60/40 split-folding third-row were available on upper trims, adding convenience.

The 2021 Ford Explorer standardly seated seven, with subsequent trims reducing to six due to captain’s chairs in the second row. It offered 39 inches of legroom in the second row, surpassing some rivals but trailing behind the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. Even with the third row in place, the Explorer presented 21 cubic feet of cargo space, commendable though not as spacious as the Traverse. Total cargo volume stood at 81 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, again trailing the Traverse’s ample capacity.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse packed a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Bluetooth, while higher trims could upgrade to an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a Bose 10-speaker system. Chevy’s infotainment system balanced usability with functionality through large icons and analog controls for volume and climate.

Additionally, a rearview camera mirror and HD surround-view camera system were available, significantly aiding visibility and maneuvering. Chevy also offered two USB ports per row as standard, though wireless charging was restricted to upper trims.

Conversely, the 2021 Ford Explorer incorporated a standard 8-inch touchscreen loaded with SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Ford’s Sync 3 system. Higher trims included a Bang & Olufsen audio system upgrade, increasing speaker count and screen size.

The Explorer provided ample charging solutions, with USB ports and multiple 12-volt power points throughout the cabin, adding a 110-volt AC outlet on the ST (optional on the Limited). Wireless charging was standard from the Limited trim upwards.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse received top "Good" ratings in IIHS crash tests and "Superior" in front-crash prevention but fell short with "Acceptable" and "Poor" headlight ratings. NHTSA awarded the Traverse a five-star overall safety rating, albeit with lower scores in frontal and rollover crash tests. Chevy included a suite of optional driver-assist features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist, though many were standard in rival models.

The 2021 Ford Explorer achieved a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS and maintained high ratings across crash tests. Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite equipped every Explorer with a comprehensive array of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and pedestrian detection. Additional features like adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist were available in higher trims, offering extensive safety tech across the range.