When you’re searching for a midsize crossover that can accommodate your entire family, it can be hard to know where to start. After all, this is a segment that has seen tons of growth in the last decade, with nearly every auto manufacturer entering a horse into the race. No need to sweat it though – we’re here to help.
We’re going to take a closer look at two of the most popular models on offer, the new 2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2022 Ford Explorer. We’re going to break down what these two vehicles have in common and where they differ, so it’s easy to decide which is the right one for your family.
Exterior
The new 2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2022 Ford Explorer were designed to stand out in the pickup lane. These midsize crossovers offer bold frames with their sculpted lines and chiseled rear ends. Chevy pairs the new Traverse with its signature dual-port grille and iconic Chevrolet bowtie, while the Ford Explorer presents a hexagonal, honeycomb grille.
But which SUV makes a grander entrance? Taking a look at each vehicle’s spec sheets, we’ll find that the new 2022 Chevrolet Traverse comes out ahead in nearly every category:
- Length
- Chevrolet Traverse: 205.9 inches
- Ford Explorer: 198.8 inches
- Wheelbase
- Chevrolet Traverse: 120.9 inches
- Ford Explorer: 119.1 inches
- Width
- Chevrolet Traverse: 78.6 inches
- Ford Explorer: 78.9 inches
- Height
- Chevrolet Traverse: 70.7 inches
- Ford Explorer: 69.9 inches
Both the new 2022 Chevrolet Traverse and the 2022 Ford Explorer are available with a hands-free gesture liftgate that opens when you wave your foot below the rear bumper. These midsize crossovers also offer plenty of features you’d expect like LED headlights, roof-mounted side rails, and heated side-view mirrors.
Advantage of the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse
- Longer and taller than the Explorer
- Eye-catching dual-port grille stands out
Interior
When you opt for a midsize SUV, you’re opting for a vehicle with plenty of space for people and their things. The new Chevrolet Traverse makes it easy to bring the whole family along for the ride with seating for up to eight and second-row smart-sliding seats that provide easy access to the third row. On the Ford side of things, you’ll only find seating for up to seven. The new Ford Explorer also offers less third-row legroom at 32.2 inches versus the Chevrolet Traverse’s 33.8 inches of third-row legroom.
Midsize crossovers are more than just fashionable people movers – they also offer more cargo space. Taking another look at the specs sheets, we’ll find that the new 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offers more cargo space than the 2022 Ford Explorer behind all three rows of seats:
- Cargo Space to 1st Row
- Chevrolet Traverse: 98.2 inches
- Ford Explorer: 87.8 inches
- Cargo Space to 2nd Row
- Chevrolet Traverse: 57.8 inches
- Ford Explorer: 47.9 inches
- Cargo Space to 3rd Row
- Chevrolet Traverse: 23.0 inches
- Ford Explorer: 18.2 inches
The new 2022 Chevy Traverse also offers a lockable, hidden storage area behind its touchscreen that’s perfect for stashing small items like your phone or wallet.
Both the new 2022 Chevy Traverse and 2022 Ford Explorer are available with leather-appointed heated and ventilated seating and offer tri-zone automatic climate control that ensures everyone rides in comfort. These midsize SUVs are also available with dual-panel panoramic sunroofs that everyone can enjoy.
Advantage of the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse
- Offers more cargo space behind each row of seats
- Seats up to eight people and has more third-row legroom
- Features a lockable storage area behind the touchscreen
Technology
The new 2022 Chevy Traverse makes boring road trips a thing of the past with its Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system. This system provides smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ so you can stream music, answer calls, look up directions, and more from the 8-inch touchscreen. Chevy pairs this system with an available 10-speaker Bose® premium audio system that surrounds you in crystal-clear sound.
Over on the Explorer, you’ll find Ford’s Sync® 3 infotainment system that also offers smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Ford pairs this with an available 12-speaker B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen®.
On both the Traverse and the Explorer, you’ll find 4G LTE Wi-Fi® capability (data plan required) that keeps you in the loop on long drives. They also both offer wireless smartphone charging pads that keep your compatible device charged and include built-in Amazon Alexa capability, so you can enjoy all the benefits of your Amazon account while on the go.
Safety
Both the Chevrolet Traverse and Ford Explorer were named IIHS Top Safety Picks. These midsize crossovers also earned NHTSA five-star safety ratings. It’s no surprised they’re both being showered with safety accolades though, as both the Traverse and Explorer offer loads of advanced safety features that up your safe driving game, including:
- Automatic emergency braking
- Forward-collision braking
- Lane-departure warning
- Lane keep assist
- High beam assist
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Lane-change alert
- Side blind-zone alert
- Rear park assist
- Adaptive cruise control
The new 2022 Chevy Traverse also features an available HD surround view camera that provides a bird’s-eye view of the area around you. It also features OnStar® Automatic Crash Response that can alert emergency personnel to your location in the event of an accident and an available safety alert seat that can warn you of danger.
Advantage of the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse
- OnStar® Automatic Crash Response provides added peace of mind
- Safety alert seat can warn you of potential collisions
- HD surround-view camera makes navigating tight spaces easy
Performance
When it comes to power, the new 2022 Chevrolet Traverse keeps things simple with a 3.6-liter V-6 engine that kicks out 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. With all that power, the new Traverse achieves a 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity and up to 27 mpg highway. Chevy also pairs the new Traverse with a Driver Mode Selector that offers five drive modes – front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, off-road, tow/haul, and snow – that allow you to customize your driving experience to how you want it.
Meanwhile, the new Ford Explorer comes standard with a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that achieves 28 mpg highway, or you can opt for an available 3.0-liter V-6 engine to up the thrills. The new 2022 Ford Explorer is also available with a hybrid configuration that combines a 3.3-liter V-6 with an electric motor for enhanced fuel efficiency. This midsize SUV is also available with the Terrain Management System™ that, like the Traverse’s Driver Mode Selector, allows you to choose from different driving modes to adjust vehicle handling for the current road conditions.
Advantage of the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse
- Driver Mode Selector lets you customize your driving experience with five drive modes
Which Should You Buy?
It’s a pretty close race between two standout SUVs but at the end of the day, we have to give it to the new 2022 Chevrolet Traverse. This midsize crossover offers more cargo space, more seating, and more advanced safety features than its Ford rival. Plus, its 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6 engine offers plenty of power while the Driver Mode Selector ensures that you’re ready for anything Mother Nature throws your way.
Wait no longer to fall in love with the new 2022 Chevrolet Traverse. Schedule a test drive at Garber Chevrolet Highland today by calling (219) 924-3344. Or stop in to see us at 9700 Indianapolis Blvd, Highland, IN 46322.
