Chevy Traverse vs. Ford Explorer

[bstegs]

My wife and I are considering trading in our two vehicles (2009 Impala, 2009 Mazda 6) for a single SUV. She is really fond of the Chevy Equinox and Traverse. I have a friend who is a car salesman that has suggested the Explorer. We are looking at anything 2011 or newer.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

[CYme]

One of the Traverse variants (Acadia, Enclave) would have better options. Traverse is a unibody, are the Explorers still body on frame? I think the Explorer is going to feel more truck like, we almost took my grandparents' Traverse, but the wife felt it drove too much like a big car, so she is staying with her Trailblazer until we break down and buy a Tahoe.

 

[CycloneDaddy]

If I had my choice I would go with the Honda Pilot but I also like the Ford Explorer and Traverse ... I don't think you can wrong with either.

 

[ajk4st8]

What's an equinox? I haven't seen one on the road yet.


Second pilot

 

[CyCrazy]

We bought an Equinox new last year and its the best car I have ever bought. I loved the Traverse and the Acadia as well but both were to rich for my wallet or else I would have bought one of them for the extra space.

 

[CYme]

What's an equinox? I haven't seen one on the road yet.


Second pilot

You must not have done much driving the last 8 or 9 years.

Chevrolet Equinox - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Buddy at work has a Pilot, it is nice and straightforward, but always seems kind of plain in the cabin.

 

[cyinne]

My wife currently has an '08 Equinox. It was good for the 2 of us- but now we have 2 kids and it is kind of a pain in the ***. We travel back to Iowa quite a bit and there is not a lot of extra room in the Equinox for my wife and my bag, the kids bags, sometimes golf clubs, etc..... I would much rather have a Traverse or Explorer for the extra room alone.

 

[bstegs]

One of the Traverse variants (Acadia, Enclave) would have better options. Traverse is a unibody, are the Explorers still body on frame? I think the Explorer is going to feel more truck like, we almost took my grandparents' Traverse, but the wife felt it drove too much like a big car, so she is staying with her Trailblazer until we break down and buy a Tahoe.

They are not. 2011 might still be, but I think they changed to a unibody in 2012. I actually like the idea of it driving more like a car. I believe it will get better mileage this way too. I eventually want to get a boat, but an not sure that a 4WD version will be able to pull it up the slip.

 

[Mtowncyclone13]

I like both the Equinox and Terrain and when we were shopping the Traverse looked too "mini-van" for us. The only good thing is it is larger than those two. The Explorer is based on a truck so it rides a little harder but when I owned one it had plenty of room for everything I needed. If I was forced to get one I'd choose the Explorer - no contest.

 

[ketelmeister]

The Chevy Traverse, Buick Enclave and GMC Arcadia are basically the same vehicle except for some minor changes. I have the Enclave, the top of the three in ride and noise reduction, but there isn't that much difference. The Ford Explorer is basically the same class vehicle. All have unibodies, the Chevy is slightly wider, but not a lot of difference. The sight lines are better in the Explorer, the ride a tad better in the GMs. You can get all wheel or just front wheel drive with the GM line. I had a front drive, its not very good in the snow without snow tires. Ford is just all wheel I believe. I drive both, and look at who can get you the best for your money.

 

[ruxCYtable]

Traverse scored higher in Consumer Reports although they consider them to be separate classes. The Traverse scored an 80 (excellent overall) in the large SUV class while the Explorer scored a 65 (very good) in the mid-size class. Owner satisfaction has been about the same for both, rated good, but the Explorer scored a poor rating in reliability while the Traverse rated good. I think most of Ford's reliability issues lately have been related to their touch screen system.

I'd say drive them both and pick which one you like best, you'll probably do OK with either.

I've been down on American cars the last few years but I recently drove a Malibu for a few weeks and I kind of did a 180, that was a really nice car.

PS-Should throw in that CR gives a "recommended" check mark to the Traverse while they do not for the Explorer. You get that check mark if you score well in both performance and reliability.

 

[boone7247]

Bought a '13 Pathfinder. Wife and I have been pleased with it. My wife liked the Nissan the best for looks and interior comfort. I went along with it because it has the best gas mileage out of the, ford explore, Chevy traverse, Toyota highlander, and Honda pilot. Was concerned it was a first model year car, however had it since November and just rolled over 12,000 miles with it and no significant issues. The one recall it had was an occupancy sensor. It definitely isn't the Pathfinder of old, it is much better adapted to city life than country life. I drive it to work daily, and we have been back to Iowa's a few times in it. Hwy I get between 22 and 25, city I get between 18 and 20. We bought the 4x4, which rarely gets turned out of two wheel drive.

Good luck in your search I really don't think you can go wrong with any of the options listed.

 

[Bobber]

I was faced with the same decision and was looking at same vehicles you are. I had sold myself on the Traverse and then test drove one of the new Dodge Durango's. To make a long story short, I've got 7,000 miles on the Durango now and absolutely love it. Solid choice and most critical car review articles agree.

 

[jay moe]

We also have a Pathfinder and really like it.

 

[NATEizKING]

Cars lose the most value the first two years, buy an '11 to get your best value if you're going used.

 

[TheCaptain]

Just went through the same thing and bought the wife a Chevy Tahoe.
By far the best vehicle in this class.
Some people say its 'too big' or 'too nice'....

I didnt know there was such a thing.

 

[ISUFan22]

Bought a '13 Pathfinder. Wife and I have been pleased with it. My wife liked the Nissan the best for looks and interior comfort. I went along with it because it has the best gas mileage out of the, ford explore, Chevy traverse, Toyota highlander, and Honda pilot. Was concerned it was a first model year car, however had it since November and just rolled over 12,000 miles with it and no significant issues. The one recall it had was an occupancy sensor. It definitely isn't the Pathfinder of old, it is much better adapted to city life than country life. I drive it to work daily, and we have been back to Iowa's a few times in it. Hwy I get between 22 and 25, city I get between 18 and 20. We bought the 4x4, which rarely gets turned out of two wheel drive.

Good luck in your search I really don't think you can go wrong with any of the options listed.

We also have a Pathfinder and really like it.

+1

 

[agcy68]

My wife and I went through the same decision a year ago and ended up with a Traverse. Biggest reason was that my wife liked the Traverse better, the Traverse scored better in Consumer Reports, and the Traverse was several thousand dollars less at the time.

After a year with it (my wife drives it every day and I drive on family outings and such) we are happy with it. We have the mid-spec model and I am generally pleased. The only problem I have had was a plastic door jam broke under warranty (bottom of the RH rear door); other than that, absolutely no issues in 13 months and ~24,000 miles.

Pros: (not as detailed as it could be as I don't focus on what I am pleased with)
- Fold Down Mid Seats for Rear Seat access
- Comfortable Ride
- Nice Sound System

Cons:
- Not built for taller people
1. The bottom of the head rest hits the top of my shoulders (especially in the morning when I sit a little straighter)
2. The steering wheel is a the highest and farthest out position to be comfortable for me (not a problem for me, but would be if I were any taller)
- I miss an overhead console for time/temp/etc. and sunglasses storage! I have it on my '04 Bonneville and really miss it on the Traverse, but don't see it on newer models any more.
- I am not a fan of the location of the USB port in the front dash - alothough it is a common location for it. It works well with the sound system, but easy to forget your iPhone in there and then it gets hot.
- Bluetooth phone works well, but I would love to have bluetooth audio to play my phone's songs wirelessly (this might be avaialble now)
- Not as much storage as our minivan. There are 5 of us and we fold down half the rear seat to make it work for some trips (with the fold up mid seats, this is very acceptable).
- Fuel milage: Around town my wife averages 19-20. When I take it on the interstate, I get around 23.

Summary:
- I have no regrets in the purchase. My wife is happy and I enjoy driving it when I get the chance.

 

[erikbj]

I got the 2013 Explorer Sport around thanksgiving - i have enjoyed it. My wife has even asked if she could keep it and told me to get a new car after her lease is up.

 

[bstegs]

Thanks everyone for all of the great suggestions. You all seem happy with your purchases. Maybe I should have put a poll at the begging of this thread.

AgCy68, how tall are you? I am 6'2" and about 230. Having a comfortable ride is important to me.