Revving the Engines: How the 2024 Explorer Outperforms the 2024 Chevy Traverse

Why are you drawn to an SUV? There’s no right or wrong answer. SUVs are plentiful across America’s vibrant landscape, with drivers turning to them because of their higher driving positions, spacious and functional cabins, towing capacities and engaging powertrains, and an extensive lineup of conveniences and features. But did you know that not all SUVs are created equally?

Some SUVs are far better and more value-oriented than others. This reality is even more apparent when you compare the best-selling 2024 Ford Explorer vs 2024 Chevy Traverse. The three-row SUVs might share the same class, but the competition is fierce, as the Explorer leads the race in performance, power, and innovation.

A Choice of Powertrains: The 2024 Explorer Is Potent and Victorious

Chevrolet might be renowned for its in-house engine designs, but that isn’t the case for the 2024 Traverse. Instead of offering drivers a choice of engines, Chevy streamlines the Traverse’s powertrain lineup to one option. The turbocharged 2.5L inline-four works with an eight-speed automatic transmission to produce 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque. But how does that translate to capability, efficiency, and engagement in the driver’s seat?

While the Traverse’s turbocharged 2.5L is powerful enough, it does little to enhance the SUV’s responsiveness and handling. Surprisingly, that doesn’t mean it’s more efficient, with the FWD Traverse averaging 18 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway. The AWD Traverse uses even more fuel, averaging 17 MPG and 25 MPG, respectively. Additionally, the Traverse’s towing capacity maxes out at 5,000 lbs.

A Broad Spectrum of Power

The disadvantage of the Traverse’s single-engine lineup is that there’s nowhere to turn if you want more power. Fortunately, that isn’t the case with the 2024 Explorer, with Ford giving drivers a choice of two engines. The Explorer’s base powerplant is a 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged inline-four that delivers the performance expected of an entry-level engine. Ford pairs the 2.3L to a 10-speed automatic transmission, with the combination yielding 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Most notably, the Explorer’s standard engine is far more efficient than the Traverse, saving you more money at the pump as it averages 21 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway on RWD models. Even the AWD model fares better, averaging 20 MPG and 27 MPG, respectively.

While the Explorer’s standard engine delivers slightly less power than the Traverse, its efficiency and higher towing capacity of 5,300 lbs more than make up for it. Moreover, it’s not your only option for power. You can enjoy a more engaging and performance-oriented experience in the driver’s seat when you opt for the 2024 Explorer with the turbocharged 3.0L EcoBoost V6 under the hood. Mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, the V6 is a showstopper in the Explorer lineup, producing 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque.

The Explorer’s V6 engine makes it more engaging and capable to drive. The beefier V6 powerplant pushes the Explorer’s towing maximum to 5,600 lbs and only slightly impacts its efficiency. For example, the V6-powered Explorer is comparable to the Traverse, averaging 18 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway on RWD models. Surprisingly, the AWD Explorer is slightly more efficient in town, averaging 18 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway.

Performance-Oriented Features: Another Explorer Victory

As drivers, we’re often drawn to horsepower and torque to gauge output and what we can expect behind the wheel. It’s natural to look at the numbers, but there’s another side to performance–the features working behind the scenes to enhance, finetune, and give you more control over your experience. How do those features compare between the 2024 Traverse and 2024 Explorer?

Drive Modes

Drive modes like Eco, Normal, and Sport are fairly standard in SUVs and give drivers more control over how the vehicle responds by fine tuning the steering, throttle, and other components. You can expect the same modes from the 2024 Traverse, with Chevy adding a Terrain Mode to the Traverse Z71. Realistically, the Traverse is more comfortable on the pavement and modest trails, but the additional drive mode is worth acknowledging.

Even so, Ford’s Terrain Management System gives you more control over the 2024 Explorer’s performance. The system offers up to seven Selectable Drive modes, with the Intelligent 4WD Explorer boasting the entire suite with modes that accommodate every situation and condition. For example, the modes include the standard Eco, Normal, and Sport, but Ford adds Trail, Deep Snow/Sand, Slippery, and Tow/Haul to ensure you get the most from the Explorer’s engaging powertrain and capability.

Trailering Technologies

The 2024 Traverse and 2024 Explorer are attractive for many reasons beyond their expansive cabins, which comfortably accommodate passengers and cargo. They’re also capable of towing modest-sized loads, from small campers and boats to trailers, jet skis, and more. The 2024 Traverse can tow up to 5,000 lbs, and the 2024 Explorer can tow as much as 5,600 lbs without breaking a sweat.

The Explorer’s higher towing capacity gives it a distinct advantage, but Ford doesn’t stop there. The automaker outfits the SUV with integrated trailering tools that enhance your confidence in the driver’s seat when towing any size load. Where the 2024 Traverse’s trailering package offers the bare minimum with a hitch receiver and Tow/Haul mode, the 2024 Explorer offers far more.

Ford designs the 2024 Explorer with Side-Wind Stabilization to enhance your control when traveling with or without a trailer in tow. Additional tools like the AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control work behind the scenes with Trailer Sway Control. The combination automatically adjusts the Explorer’s power delivery and braking to keep you in complete control as you navigate the road.

Venturing Off the Pavement: The Timberline Outshines the Z71

With the rising popularity of venturing off the pavement, Ford and Chevrolet answer the demand with off-road-ready models like the 2024 Traverse Z71 and 2024 Explorer Timberline. The Z71 has quite the reputation in the Chevy lineup, but how does it translate to the Traverse and compare to models like the Explorer Timberline? As expected, Ford gains another significant win.

The Traverse Z71 is new for 2024 and rolls off the factory floor with an off-road suspension, skid plate, tow hooks, and all-terrain tires. While its all-wheel drive system makes it competent across various terrains, don’t expect the Traverse Z71 to compete with off-road warriors like the Bronco or even the Explorer Timberline. Instead, the Traverse Z71 is far more at home on the pavement or on gravel roads and dirt trails where obstacles are few and far between.

Alternatively, the 2024 Explorer Timberline feels at home on and off the pavement, with Ford increasing the SUV’s ground clearance to an impressive 8.66 inches. Its off-road front struts and rear shocks complement the 3.58 TORSEN limited-slip rear axle and the all-terrain tires that beg to explore sand, dirt, mud, and gravel. Likewise, the Explorer Timberline’s steel underbody skid plates give you the confidence to venture off the beaten path, with multiple plates offering more protection than the Traverse Z71.

Power at Your Fingertips: Getting the Most Behind the Wheel

Comparing the 2024 Ford Explorer to the 2024 Chevy Traverse reveals two distinct approaches to performance. Where Chevrolet relies on a single powertrain that modestly ekes out power even in off-road-oriented trims like the Traverse Z71, Ford offers far more with the Explorer’s two-engine lineup that delivers a broad band of power and capability without compromising efficiency. The addition of the Explorer’s terrain management system, trailering technologies, and the rugged Timberline give the best-selling SUV an ever greater advantage that leaves the 2024 Traverse in the dust.