If you’re in the market for a new SUV, there’s a good chance that you’re between two options: the 2025 Ford Explorer and the 2025 Chevy Traverse. We're here to show you which one is better to make sure you get the most bang for your buck.
Key takeaways
- The Explorer and Traverse have the same tow rating, but the Explorer does it with a more fuel efficient engine.
- The Explorer added features for 2025 while the Traverse took some away making the Explorer a better choice.
- The Ford Explorer comes with a sportier trim, making you the coolest soccer mom at the field.
Yes, the Explorer is seeing a redesign.
For 2025, the Explorer will see a slight redesign. This comes with a new grille, headlights and new rear tail lights. The trims also saw a reduction coming in 4 for the start of 2025. The trims are the Active, ST-Line, ST, and the Platinum. This helps add more features around to more trim levels spreading some of the best ones on the market.
For the first time BlueCruise can be added to most trims just not the base Active. The Ford Digital Experience also comes on the Explorer! It is the first Ford model to be equipped with it. This lets you access apps even easier, while coming with native Internet access, as well as streaming.
Is the 2025 Traverse being redesigned?
No, the Traverse isn’t being redesigned. For 2025, the Traverse comes with a few changes to trims and features. Dropping the LS, and reintroducing the High Country trim, they aim at taking the upmarket approach. But with that in mind, they take away the driver’s confidence package on the LT and Z71, making you pay even more for less features.
Ford gives while Chevy takes. Chevy tries to make their vehicle more up market, while making it come with less features than the year before. Ford comes in with new features, as well as reduced trim numbers to give you even more.
When can I get a 2025 Explorer?
You can get a 2025 Ford Explorer today! As mentioned earlier, the 2025 Explorer now comes in 4 trims. The trims are:
- Active starting at $39,855
- ST-Line starting at $44,615
- Platinum starting at $52,250
- ST starting at $54,260
With the new trim shakeup, there’s now a new top contender for best trim for the price. This is the ST-Line, and according to Car and Driver, this is due to it having “sporty cosmetic features of the ST and keeps the standard 300-hp turbo four-cylinder, but it's also nearly $11K less expensive.” It also comes with a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, a flat-bottom ST steering wheel, heated second-row seats, and power folding mirrors.
The Explorer comes with two engines, the 2.3L I4 that can get 300 horsepower, as mentioned. It has an EPA estimated 24 MPG combined, getting 20 miles per gallon in the city, and 29 on the highway.
The next engine is the 3.0L V6, having an EPA estimated 21 combined MPG. Getting 18 miles per gallon in the city, and 25 on the highway. While it has a slightly worse fuel economy, it does come with even more power. This engine can produce 400 horsepower, and 415 lb-ft of torque.
No matter the trim, all of them are equipped with the Class 3 towing package. This allows for a maximum towing capacity of 5000 pounds.
When can I get a 2025 Traverse?
You can get behind the wheel and on the road in a Traverse today. The Traverse comes in 4 trims you can pick from. These are the trims, and the prices:
- LT starting at $42,095
- Z71 starting at $49,195
- High Country starting at $55,195
- RS starting at $55,495
For 2025, Car and Driver recommends the LT as the trim to get. This is due to it representing “the best value”; they also note that they “suggest adding the Driver Confidence package.”
No matter the trim, you will get the same engine under the hood. This is the 2.5L Turbo, getting 328 horsepower, and 326 lb-ft of torque. According to the EPA, this engine gets a combined 23 mpg, getting 20 miles per gallon in the city, and 27 on the highway. Being that this is the only engine available, all trims can tow 5000 pounds.
When looking at the specs, and the prices, the Explorer offers more, for less. The base trim for the Explorer is cheaper, as well as the top of the line trim. Both are capable of towing the same weight, while the Explorer can do it more efficiently.
What colors does the 2025 Ford Explorer come in?
The Explorer comes in 6 colors. The colors that come on the Explorer are:
- Space White
- Star White
- Vapor Blue
- Agate Black
- Carbonized Gray
- Rapid Red
What colors does the 2025 Chevy Traverse come in?
The Traverse comes in 8 colors. The colors you can look for on a 2025 Traverse are:
- Summit White
- Mosaic Black
- Sterling Gray
- Lakeshore Blue
- Radiant Red
- Iridescent Pearl
- Stardust Metallic
- Harvest Bronze
The only point that the Traverse gains is for the colors, but a few are locked behind a higher price on a more expensive trim level, making it almost not worth it.
Summary
Is the 2025 Ford Explorer a better value than the Chevy Traverse? The short answer is yes, with the longer one being everything we’ve covered. If you’re wanting to get behind the wheel of a winner, then come see us at Jarrett Ford of Charlotte County, we can put you in your next dream midsize SUV!