Chevrolet Traverse vs Ford Explorer
Three-row SUVs · head to head, 2010–2027
The Chevrolet Traverse and Ford Explorer were both sold for 18 model years (2010–2027). Among the Traverse's own years, its best bet is 2021; years to avoid: 2010, 2025; the newest year rated a good buy is 2023. Among the Explorer's own years, its best bet is 2024; years to avoid: 2016, 2020; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025.
Chevrolet Traverse
SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2021
- Newest good buy 2023
- Avoid 2010, 2025
- Be careful 2024
Ford Explorer
SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2024
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid 2016, 2020
- Be careful 2011–2015, 2017
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy Traverse year says nothing about whether it beats a Explorer. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | Chevrolet Traverse | Ford Explorer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2026 | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | Side by side |
| 2025 | AVOIDSerious complaints 3.4× usual, mostly brakes and collision avoidance | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2024 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.7× usual, mostly brakes and engine | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.2× usual | Side by side |
| 2023 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | Side by side |
| 2022 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2021 | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.2× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2020 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | AVOIDSerious complaints 2.6× usual, mostly power train and engine | Side by side |
| 2019 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual | Side by side |
| 2018 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2017 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.9× usual, mostly structure and engine | Side by side |
| 2016 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | AVOIDSerious complaints 2.5× usual, mostly structure and steering | Side by side |
| 2015 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.8× usual, mostly structure and steering | Side by side |
| 2014 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly air bags and engine | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.7× usual, mostly steering and structure | Side by side |
| 2013 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.0× usual, mostly steering and structure | Side by side |
| 2012 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.8× usual, mostly steering and structure | Side by side |
| 2011 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly engine and steering | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.1× usual, mostly steering and structure | Side by side |
| 2010 | AVOIDSerious complaints 2.9× usual, mostly steering and engine | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2027: the newest shared year, at a glance
| 2027 Chevrolet Traverse | 2027 Ford Explorer | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | Not rated | Not rated |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | — | $40,400 to $53,660 base price by trim, 5 trims |
| Engines and horsepower | — | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo 3.0L 6-cyl turbo |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | — | 19–23 mpg |
| Seats | — | 6 |
| Third row | — | — |
| Cargo behind last row | — | — |
| NHTSA crash rating | — | 5 of 5 stars |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | — · — | 0 · 0 |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2027 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| Traverse LT FWD first listed | Traverse RS AWD last listed | Explorer Active lowest price, $40,400 | Explorer ST highest price, $53,660 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | — | — | Standard | Standard |
| Adaptive cruise control | Standard | Standard | — | — |
| Blind-spot warning | Standard | Standard | — | — |
| Heated front seats | Standard | Standard | Optional | Standard |
| Ventilated front seats | No | Standard | — | Standard |
| Sunroof or moonroof | Optional | Optional | — | Optional |
| 360-degree camera | Optional | Standard | — | Varies |
| Power liftgate or tailgate | Standard | Standard | Optional | — |
| Remote start | Standard | Standard | Standard | — |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2027 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2027 page (Traverse, Explorer).
Known fixes and extended coverage
Chevrolet Traverse
51 manufacturer programs on file: 13 extended coverage, 38 repair programs.
- Extended coverage Certain 2008 2013 buick enclave, 2008-2013 gmc acadia, 2008-2010 saturn outlook, and 2009-2013 chevrolet traverse vehicles were recalled to address corrosion and/or loose crimps in the driver and passenger-seat mounted side-impact airbag… (15536, 2010–2013 models)
- Extended coverage Coolant leaks from the radiator hose quick connect at the radiator inlet. This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 5 years or 60,000 miles (100,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle… (N262546590, 2024–2026 models)
- Extended coverage On some 2008 model year (MY) Saturn Outlook; 2008-2009 MY Buick Allure, Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Uplander, Pontiac G8, Pontiac Montana SV6, Pontiac Torrent, and Saturn VUE; 2008-2010 MY Hummer H3 and Pontiac G6; 2008-2011 MY Cadillac… (GCUS-9-939, 2010–2012 models)
- Extended coverage On some various model year vehicles, the throttle-position sensor may cause the engine to run rough, cause the malfunction-indicator lamp and/or an engine reduced power message to illuminate, and reduce the engine's power. 14582A - Special… (GCUS-9-1009, 2010–2011 models)
Ford Explorer
21 manufacturer programs on file: 5 extended coverage, 16 repair programs.
- Extended coverage This program extends the warranty coverage of the automatic transmission torque converter for twelve (12) months from the RO date of Powertrain Control Module reflash under Customer Satisfaction Program 20B27. (20N07, 2016–2019 models)
- Extended coverage A new 3M adhesive is now available, allowing a longer working time, along with mixing nozzles and applicator. 3M Universal Adhesive Black Part Number 08223, 3M Static Mixing Nozzles Part Number 08193 This program provides a one-time repair… (20N11, 2016–2019 models)
- Extended coverage Certain 2013-2019 Model Year Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles Equipped with a 3.7L Engine Catalytic Converter Extended Coverage This program extends the warranty coverage of the catalytic converters to 11 years of service or 120,000… (19M01, 2015–2016, 2018 models)
- Extended coverage NEW VEHICLE DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD Safety Recall 24S55 – Supplement #1 Dated: August 15, 2025 Customer Satisfaction Program 24N12 Dated June 19, 2025 New! REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT • Rental Vehicles: Added specification that long… (24N12, 2021–2022 models)
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used, years both are rated a good buy: 2018–2019, 2021–2023. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Shopping around 2025: the Explorer is rated good buy (serious complaints 0.6× usual), while the Traverse is rated avoid (serious complaints 3.4× usual, mostly brakes and collision avoidance). Each against its own other years.
- Shopping around 2024: the Explorer is rated best buy (serious complaints 0.2× usual), while the Traverse is rated careful (serious complaints 1.7× usual, mostly brakes and engine). Each against its own other years.
- Shopping around 2020: the Traverse is rated good buy (serious complaints 0.7× usual), while the Explorer is rated avoid (serious complaints 2.6× usual, mostly power train and engine). Each against its own other years.
- Years to skip: Traverse 2010, 2025; Explorer 2016, 2020.
- Newest year rated a good buy: Traverse 2023; Explorer 2025.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.