2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Chevy Traverse

• The Explorer debuts an all new trim lineup, with the four trims now being the Active, ST-Line, ST and Platinum, with another trim on the way.
• The Traverse brings plenty of quality of life updates to the new year.
• The Explorer is a tad on the cheaper side, with about $1k more wiggle room over the Traverse.

Yes! Car and Driver reports that for 2025, buyers can expect the Ford Explorer lineup to be streamlined to four trims at launch: those being the Active, ST-Line, ST, and Platinum. Additionally, a newly introduced trim, the off road-oriented Tremor model will be available later in the year.

Also on the menu is an exterior refresh, which includes a newly redesigned grille, paired with updated headlights, and capped off with newly revised lower air inlets. The rear also features new taillights. Starting from the Platinum trim, buyers can now opt for a black-painted roof and, for the first time, add-on Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driving.

As for the interior, a similar refresh is in the cards, with newly upgraded surfaces on the center console and door panels, which are highlighted by newly debuting color schemes.

The 2025 Explorer also debuts the Ford Digital Experience, a new software system that seamlessly integrates apps and enables native streaming and internet browsing when parked, allowing you access to a full suite of internet features without needing to leave the comfort of your Explorer. A full list of the available trims, alongside an estimate of what Car and Driver expects the Tremor to cost, is listed below.

• Active - $41,380
• ST-Line - $46,190
• Tremor - $52,000 (est)
• Platinum - $53,695
• ST - $55,835

With the Limited trim discontinued for 2025, Car and Driver sees the ST-Line as the best choice for providing the perfect middle ground of pricing and features. It offers the sporty styling of the ST while retaining the standard 300-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which it pairs with 20-inch painted alloy wheels.

This engine matches the V-6 models' 5000-pound towing capacity. The ST-Line also can be the most affordable way to gain access to options like BlueCruise hands-free driving and a black-painted roof, which aren’t available on the base Active trim.

The Traverse won’t be discontinued any time soon, Kelley Blue Book reports that Chevy will be continuing it’s support of the beloved model. The main highlights on this front are the news of the revised trim structure, with the Traverse dropping the entry-level LS trim this year and reintroducing the High Country model, which now sits comfortably in between the Z71 and RS trims. A list of the available trims this year reads as:

• LT - $42,095
• Z71 - $49,195
• High Country - $55,195
• RS - $55,495

The High Country gains several premium features over the Z71, including a 10-speaker Bose audio system, as well as an adjustable power seat, which comes with available memory settings.

The Traverse High Country also offers a rearview mirror camera, rear pedestrian alert, a 6-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, a power-folding third row, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, and a power-adjustable steering wheel. For those interested in the LT trim, the Sun and Wheel Package, which adds 22-inch wheels, remains an available option.