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Chevy Traverse vs. Ford Explorer

boone7247 said:
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.
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I have 180K on my 2005 Pathfinder, and was researching new vehicles for a long while, and although I am not a fan of the pointy front end as much, I think the new Pathfinder with the incredible gas mileage for a mid-size SUV is hard to beat. I am going to get the Hybrid when it comes out 27/27 MPG. Gas in Chicago and WI is very high, so it matters. Wanted to go upscale and get a Cayenne, Evoque or Escalade, but we decided that extra money would be best spent on vacations.

For the OP, Looked at both the Traverse and Explorer. The Traverse is a good solid vehicle but we thought it was too much like a minivan. The GMC and Buick versions are nicer, but don't know if the cost merits an upgrade. We like the Explorer all around, but the My Touch is annoying/deal breaker if you are looking for a loaded vehicle.
 
Wife really likes her 2011 Equinox. We seem to be outgrowing it already though and are thinking of trading in and upgrading to a Traverse for the extra room.
 
If you have to pull something it's a whole different story but sometimes I'll go a few weeks without driving the wife's 2013 Acrua RDX and it's shocking how smooth, well built, and great handling it is compared to my truck and other truck based SUV's. Based on my experience with the RDX, if I needed something bigger and able to pull less then 5,000lbs, I'd take a serious look at a 2014 Acura MDX. The RDX wasn't designed to pull anything.

I have a 2013 Ram and I paid about the same OTD for the RDX. The Ram has been a great truck so far but for every day use the RDX is in a whole different league.
 
I would avoid the first year model of the new explorer. I get Car & Driver magazine and when the new explorer came out, the magazine did a comparison of all the mid-size SUVs. The Explorer got last place because during the test several things went wrong with the vehicle. I would assume that in the 2-3 years since, the issues have been remedied.

My co-worker bought the new Explorer last year (model year 2012, I believe) and he says it's awesome! It's a great looking vehicle, IMO.

But I've always been a GM guy, so if it were me, I would go with the GMC Acadia between the selecions you mentioned. However, my wife and I just got the new Nissan Pathfinder after reviewing and testing most of the similar size SUV's.

Good luck - my guess is that you'll be happy with whichever you choose. Most companies make very similar quality and priced vehicles, so it really will come down to personal preference.
 
twistedredbird said:
I have 180K on my 2005 Pathfinder, and was researching new vehicles for a long while, and although I am not a fan of the pointy front end as much, I think the new Pathfinder with the incredible gas mileage for a mid-size SUV is hard to beat. I am going to get the Hybrid when it comes out 27/27 MPG. Gas in Chicago and WI is very high, so it matters. Wanted to go upscale and get a Cayenne, Evoque or Escalade, but we decided that extra money would be best spent on vacations.

For the OP, Looked at both the Traverse and Explorer. The Traverse is a good solid vehicle but we thought it was too much like a minivan. The GMC and Buick versions are nicer, but don't know if the cost merits an upgrade. We like the Explorer all around, but the My Touch is annoying/deal breaker if you are looking for a loaded vehicle.
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Yeah I wish the hybrid was available when we purchased, would have been nice for the amount of city driving we do. I think the only one of this size that offered a hybrid is the Toyota. And the price comparison just didn't work for us, plus the wife liked the look of the Nissan better.

Like I said earlier, not sure you can really go wrong with any of these vehicles. I see all them on the road. If anyone is reading this collecting ideas for future purposes, keep in mind VW is going to enter the market for the 2015 model year supposedly.
 
bstegs said:
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.
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About the same size - a little over 6'2". But, I have a tall torso (32" inseam) and tend to hit "taller" standards when sitting. Just pay attention if/when you test drive (they might have made it better in newer models - ours is a 2012). I get by by lifting the headrest out a little beyond the last notch - then I don't notice it.
 
Cyclones01 said:
Not to derail, but does anyone have an Escape? Thinking about getting a 2014 sometime soon
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My wife & I look at one and compared it against the Equinox. My wife liked the ride better in the Equinox and the back seats had more foot room. Both my young kids commented on that. I'm more partial to the Escape body style, but comparing, I think the Equinox is a slightly better vehicle.
 
somecyguy said:
My wife & I look at one and compared it against the Equinox. My wife liked the ride better in the Equinox and the back seats had more foot room. Both my young kids commented on that. I'm more partial to the Escape body style, but comparing, I think the Equinox is a slightly better vehicle.
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Those are the 2 cars that I am eyeing the most, so thanks for the input. I agree that I like the Escape body style better as well. We haven't actually driven anything yet, so I will keep those things in mind.
 
somecyguy said:
My wife & I look at one and compared it against the Equinox. My wife liked the ride better in the Equinox and the back seats had more foot room. Both my young kids commented on that. I'm more partial to the Escape body style, but comparing, I think the Equinox is a slightly better vehicle.
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Agree with you. I have friends with both. The Equinox seems smoother and sturdier. Ford went with a really small engine lineup in the new Escapes and the one I rode in was buzzy and underpowered. I've heard the turbo engine is the one to get if you get an Escape.
 
I've ridden in both. They are nice vehicles...look good, nicely equipped, etc. The poster who mentioned space is right on. I have family that have both and when it comes to more than 4 people the Explorer rules.
 
My cousin is an ER doctor. He's practiced in KC, MO; Columbus, OH; and Dallas, TX. I asked him once if there was any car he would recommend based on the condition of patients following serious car accidents. He said Ford Explorer by a mile (he drives one for this reason alone). He said Ford Fusions as a close second. He's not at all a "car guy" and could care less about brand loyalty.
 
I would have looked at the Ford Flex as well, I think this gives you the most room if that is what you are looking for. Once again, no off-road capabilities, but solid city dwelling SUV.
 
One thing that I forgot to mention is that I am hoping to get a boat for skiing in the next two years, so this would need to be able to tow that and pull it out of the water on a slip.
 
I don't think I'd pull anything on a unibody vehicle. Certainly not a ski boat. But that's just me and I like overkill. :twitcy:
 
Honda Pilot will give you more standard options when compared to an Explorer or Traverse. You can get a brand new Touring model for under $40,000. The gas mileage isn't great on the Pilot though. Also, Hondas tend to hold their value well.
 
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