2021 Chevy Traverse vs Ford Explorer

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse offers few minor changes for 2021, but it keeps everything that makes it a solid SUV. Let’s compare it to the 2021 Ford Explorer.

Design

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse features lots of space for passengers in all three rows of seating; as well as plenty of cargo space. It seats eight people in its lower trims, with a second-row bench seat. Higher trims offer second-row captain’s chairs and seat seven. The Traverse provides a comfortable, cushioned ride, with easy access to get in and out of each row. Cloth upholstery comes standard and leather upholstery and power-adjustable front seats are available; as well as heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel. You’ll get plenty of cargo space with 23 cubic feet behind the rear seats, 57.8 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded, and 98.2 cubic feet of cargo space when the second and third row seats are folded down. The Traverse is available in seven trims: L, LS, LT Cloth, LT Leather, RS, Premier, and High Country.

The 2021 Ford Explorer is a midsize three-row SUV with seating for seven or six, with optional second-row captain’s chairs. The front seats are spacious and comfortable, though there is less room in the rear seats. Cargo space gives you 18.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 47.9 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and up to 87.8 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded down. Cloth upholstery and power-adjustable front seats are standard and leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, front sport seats, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, power-folding third-row seats, and massaging front seats are available. A power liftgate comes standard; an available hands-free liftgate and a cargo management system that adds under-floor storage and a reversible cargo floor is an option. The Explorer is available in base, XLT, Limited, ST, and Platinum trim levels.

Safety and Tech Features

Standard features in the Traverse include Chevrolet’s user-friendly Infotainment 3 system with a 7-inch touch screen, six USB ports, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hot spot, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The touch screen responds quickly to inputs and features an intuitive menu layout. A rear-seat entertainment system, an 8-inch touch screen, navigation, a 10-speaker Bose audio system, and satellite radio are available options. Standard safety features include a rearview camera, rear-seat reminder, Teen Driver system and a reminder to buckle up before driving. Available active safety features include adaptive cruise control, a surround-view parking camera system, a rear camera mirror, forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, rear parking sensors, and rear cross traffic alert.

The Ford Explorer’s list of safety and tech features include a SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touch screen that quickly connects to your smartphone with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Six speakers, satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and four USB ports are also standard. Available features include a 10.1-inch touch screen with a portrait layout, a 12.3-inch customizable driver display, a 14-speaker Bank & Olufsen sound system, a rear-seat entertainment system, and wireless device charging. For added assistance, the Explorer comes with Ford Co-Pilot360 technology and driver-assist features that include standard blind spot monitoring, rearview camera, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and auto high-beam headlamps.

Power

The Chevy Traverse features a 310-horsepower V6 engine on all models with a nine-speed automatic transmission, providing enough power for everyday driving needs, but with average acceleration. Its design makes the Chevrolet easy to drive and maneuver and ride smoothly over most road surfaces. When properly equipped, the Traverse can tow up to 5000 pounds. It is standard with front-wheel drive and available with all-wheel drive. The Traverse has a gas mileage rating of 18/27 mpg in the city and on the highway when equipped with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive will give you 17/25 mpg. Pricing starts out at $32,900 for the LS trim and ranges to a starting price of $53,200 for the all-wheel-drive High Country.

The Ford’s standard turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 hp comes with a smooth and sturdy 10-speed automatic transmission and a rear-wheel-drive platform. There are two available twin-turbocharged V6s that will put out 365 and 400 horsepower and are also paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel drive comes standard in the two highest trims, but you can add four-wheel drive to the other trims for added cost. The base engine is not short on power, but the V6 options are quicker. Estimated fuel economy is 21/28 mpg in the city and on the highway with its base engine and 18/26 mpg city/highway with the twin-turbo V6 engines. When properly equipped, the Explorer can tow up to 5,600. The base Explorer has a starting price of $33,000 and ranges to a starting price of $59,000 for the Platinum.

Overall

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021 Ford Explorer are two solid SUVs offering similar price tags. While the Traverse features more room with comfortable seating for passengers and plenty of cargo room, the Explorer offers an available more powerful and athletic engine, with quick acceleration.

Used Chevy Silverado 2500 HD Buying Guide

The Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD features a beefy frame and powerful engines from its 6.0-liter V8 engine to the more powerful Duramax V8 engine. It’s a full-size, ¾-ton heavy duty pickup truck, making it great for towing and hauling. With several cab configurations, bed lengths, engines, and trims, this full-size truck has offered a lot through the years.

First Generation (2000-2006)

The Silverado 2500 HD version was introduced in 2000 and was designed with a heavy-duty frame, suspension, steering and brakes to handle heavier payloads and towing jobs. It offered a standard 300 hp 6.0-liter V8 and heavy-duty drivetrain and an optional Duramax V8 that paired with the Allison 1000 5-speed automatic for long-running durability. The Silverado is offered in a 3 passenger 2-door Regular Cab, a 5-6 passenger 4-door Extended Cab and 4-door Crew Cab configurations. With a Wideside 8-foot-long box or 6 ½ foot regular box. It added tough chassis components, such as Hydroboost recirculating-ball power steering, torsion-bar front suspension, and massive 4-wheel discs with ABS. Together with the Duramax engine these components enabled payloads ranging from 3,000 pounds to 4,000 pounds and tow ratings from 10,600 pounds and up.

Second Generation (2007-2014)

The second generation of the Silverado came on the market in 2007. The Silverado was available in a few body versions, with regular, extended and crew cab configurations. It offered seating for five passengers, with enough room for both rows. Silverado featured a big dashboard, with a steering-column mounted gear-selector for the automatic transmission. The front fascia was the same for all of them, with a wide chromed horizontal slat in the middle of the grill for the LT trim levels. For the LTZ trim level, the bar and the bumper were in body color. The crew cab featured four regular doors and only one 5.75’ bed in the back. A 353 hp 6.0-liter V8 engine is standard and a 365 hp 6.6-liter turbo-diesel is optional. Both are paired to a six-speed automatic transmission and it is only available as a 4WD. Safety features include driver and passenger front air bags, tire pressure monitoring system, and four-wheel antilock disc brakes.

You will see little or no change in the next few model years. In 2008 Silverado 2500 HD added the availability of Bluetooth, XM Nav Traffic, and a rearview camera. In 2010 a new 360-horsepower 6.0-liter Vortec V8 engine powers the Silverado 2500 HD and the 6.6-liter Duramax diesel engine is optional. A 312 hp 6.0-liter V8 is available with the Pickup Box Delete option. A new audio system features audio-DVD and USB ports.

For 2011, Silverado 2500 HD adds a new frame, an improved Vortec V8 with an optional 397 hp/765 lb-ft of torque and 335 hp/685 lb-ft of torque with Box Delete option, a new Duramax diesel and revised Allison transmission, new front and rear suspensions, and an improved brake system. A stiffer, fully-boxed frame improves durability and ride. There are three trims: the base Work Truck, midlevel LT, and the upscale LTZ trim.

Cruise control became standard on the work Truck in 2012 and dark vinyl seat coverings, 17-inch steel wheels, a tilt steering wheel and a four-speaker AM/FM stereo are standard. The LT trim adds alloy wheels, tinted rear windows, keyless entry, full power accessories, cloth seats, while a leather-wrapped steering wheel driver-side lumbar adjustment, OnStar, satellite radio and a DC/MPE player are available. The LTZ trim adds even more including 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, an automatic locking rear differential, a heavy-duty trailering package, and remote start.

Third Generation (2015-Present)

Fully redesigned, the Silverado 2500 HD starts off its third generation. The Silverado HD still comes with a three-person Regular Car, a Double Cab with a full-length backseat and narrow rear doors, or a Crew Cab with full-size rear doors and extra rear legroom. The Regular Cab gets an 8-foot bed only, while the others can get a 6.5-ft bed also. Standard is the 6-liter V8 that produces 360 hp. For maximum power, the Silverado 2500 HD offers a 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8 with 397 hp and 765 pound-feet of torque.

For 2016, most configurations receive a new digital power steering unit. The MyLink infotainment system gets additional features, including greater smartphone integration and a remote locking tailgate is now available. A new High Country trim is available with a unique grille, body-color bumpers, 20-inch chrome wheels, and a premium leather interior with ventilated front seats. Silverado 2500 HD gets additional strength from its 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel V8 to 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque in 2017.

Everything is new for 2020. Frames have been stiffened, a new gas engine, tow ratings have jumped up, and an array of modern technology if available. It now offers a towing capacity of up to 20,000 pounds when properly equipped; and it is offered in five trims: WT, LT, Custom, LTZ, and High Country. An Ultimate Trailer Tow Camera System with a total of seven cameras is offered in higher trim levels. Pricing starts at $34,695 and ranges up to $62,695 for the High Country Crew Cab. An all-new 6.6-liter V8 can tow significantly more.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD is mostly unchanged. Trailering technology is now more widely available. Prices went up a bit to a starting price of $36,595 for the WT and $64,095 for the High Country model.

Overall

The Silverado 2500 HD has progressed through the years, changing its engines, power, style and technology options. It’s been a great option for a larger, stronger, and capable large-size truck with options for trims and bed sizes.