If your Pennsylvania family is in the market for three-row SUVs, you have two heavyweight contenders to consider: the 2026 Ford Explorer and the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse. Each of these family-friendly SUVs offers plenty of great features, but they tackle family transportation from slightly different angles. The Traverse maximizes space for passengers and cargo, while the Explorer delivers punchier performance, better gas mileage, and smoother handling that makes daily driving easier and more fun.
2026 Ford Explorer vs. Chevrolet Traverse: A Quick Comparison
Both the Explorer and the Traverse come in several reasonably priced trims, though the Explorer offers more trim levels, all at lower price points than the Traverse. The 2026 Ford Explorer offers the following six models:
- Active 100A: $38,465 MSRP
- Active: $40,585 MSRP
- ST-Line: $45,155 MSRP
- Tremor: $48,465 MSRP
- Platinum: $50,965 MSRP
- ST: $54,905 MSRP
The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse comes in these four trims:
- LT: $40,800 MSRP
- Z71: $48,900 MSRP
- High Country: $55,100 MSRP
- RS: $55,400 MSRP
Space-wise, both the Chevrolet Traverse and Ford Explorer have three seating rows and plenty of room inside. However, the Traverse is slightly larger overall, at 204.5 inches long, 79.6 inches wide, and 69.6 inches tall, with a 121-inch wheelbase, compared to the Explorer’s length of 198.7 inches, width of 78.9 inches, height of 69.8 inches, and wheelbase of 119.1 inches.
As the Traverse seats up to eight and fits approximately 12 cubic feet more of cargo space than the Explorer, it’s a good fit if your family needs to haul a lot of gear. The Ford Explorer, which seats up to seven, is ideal for midsize families, and its more compact frame comes in handy when you’re parking at Wawa or navigating tight Philadelphia streets. The Explorer also makes up for its tighter dimensions with a lower floor and a wider opening, both of which make loading easier than ever.
Performance and Powertrain: Which Engine Lineup Fits Your Needs?
When it comes to power, the 2026 Ford Explorer easily outperforms the Chevrolet Traverse. The Traverse comes with a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine that produces 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque, while the Explorer offers two engine choices: the base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbo engine that generates 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbocharged V-6 that produces up to 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer ensures easy, smooth, and precise handling by pairing both engine choices with a 10-speed automatic transmission (compared to the Traverse’s eight-speed transmission).
Both SUVs are equal in terms of towing capacity, maxing out at 5,000 pounds each. However, the Explorer wins for speed; its V-6 hits 60 mph in a snappy 5.1 seconds versus the Traverse’s 7.3 seconds. If you’re ever frustrated by the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s practically nonexistent merge lanes, you know that every second of acceleration matters on the highway.
Whether you’re commuting to King of Prussia, transporting kids to Lancaster sports tournaments, or escaping to the Poconos, you also know that every mile matters. Both the Chevrolet Traverse and the Ford Explorer get 20 mpg in the city, but the Explorer offers better overall fuel efficiency. The Traverse, which comes with standard all-wheel drive, gets 24 mpg on the highway and 21 mpg combined. Equipped with the base EcoBoost engine, the rear-wheel-drive Explorer achieves 29 mpg on the highway and 24 mpg combined, while the all-wheel-drive models get 27 mpg on the highway and 23 mpg combined.
Interior Space and Family Comfort
The Traverse wins on interior space, but just barely. Here’s a breakdown of the legroom you can expect in each model:
- Front row: 44.3 inches for the Chevrolet Traverse vs. the Ford Explorer’s 43 inches
- Second row: 41.5 inches for the Traverse vs. 37.5 inches for the Explorer
- Third row: 32.1 inches for the Traverse, compared to the Explorer’s 31.8 inches
These dimensions are quite comparable, as is overall passenger comfort in both the Explorer and the Traverse. Here’s a breakdown of some of each vehicle’s key interior features:
- Driver’s seat: A six-way power-adjustable seat is standard in the Explorer, while a four-way power-adjustable seat is available in higher Traverse trims.
- Third-row seat: A50/50-split folding seat comes standard in the Explorer, and a 60/40-split folding seat comes with the Traverse’s higher trims.
- Audio system: Six speakers come standard with both vehicles, though the Traverse offers a 12-speaker Bose system on higher trims, and higher trims of the Explorer include a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen system with a subwoofer.
- Luxury features: Upper Explorer trims include a panoramic roof with a power sunshade, plus heated, ventilated, and massaging first-row seats, while the Traverse’s pricier models include ventilated, heated front seats but lack massage functions and sunroofs.
Technology and Connectivity for Your Modern Family
The Traverse includes a massive 17.7-inch infotainment screen and an 11-inch digital cluster, while the Ford Explorer uses a 13.2-inch screen and a 12.3-inch digital dash. Aside from the Traverse’s substantially larger touch screen, both SUVs offer comparable technology, such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Wi-Fi hot spot capability. However, the Explorer’s Ford Digital Experience feels more intuitive than the Traverse’s Google built-in. Features such as video streaming and gaming while parked also give the Explorer an edge if your family values ease of use and entertainment.
Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings
Both SUVs include plenty of standard safety technology, though for six consecutive years, the Explorer has earned Top Safety Pick+ awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, demonstrating Ford’s superior long-term commitment to safety. The Explorer comes with Co-Pilot360 Assist+ as standard, which includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centering. Chevrolet equips the Traverse with a Safety Assist package as standard, though features such as lane centering and stop-and-go are only available on higher trims.
Experience the 2026 Ford Explorer Advantage at John Kennedy Ford Phoenixville
After comparing these family haulers, the 2026 Ford Explorer stands out if you value driving quality, safety, and smart design. While the Traverse wins on raw space, the Explorer’s quality materials, solid safety reputation, and more engaging road manners create a better ownership experience. If you’re ready to feel the difference yourself, contact us at John Kennedy Ford Phoenixville to schedule a test-drive. Our team can help with everything from finding the right Explorer setup for your lifestyle to financing your new purchase. Try the Explorer today, and see why it’s the smarter pick for your family.
Images from ford.com
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