Chevrolet Traverse vs Ford Explorer: cost to own

Verdict, over 6 years

The Chevrolet Traverse costs about $3,473 less

That's $48 a month. Closest matching trims: same fuel and drive where possible.

Traverse LT✓ $1,421/moTrue cost

Explorer Active$1,470/moTrue cost

2026 Chevrolet Traverse

Closest matching trim: Traverse LT

Sticker (MSRP)$51,799

+$10,399→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$62,198

+ running costs→↓− $22,756 resale

True cost$1,421/moA month to own, after resale

2027 Ford Explorer

Closest matching trim: Explorer Active

Sticker (MSRP)$52,700

+$10,460→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$63,160

+ running costs→↓− $23,152 resale

True cost$1,470/moA month to own, after resale

Line by line


Price
Sticker (MSRP)	✓ $51,799	$52,700	Traverse by $901
Freight and fees, before tax	$3,244	✓ $3,194	Explorer by $50
Sales tax (HST)	✓ $7,156	$7,266	Traverse by $110
Drive-away price	✓ $62,198	$63,160	Traverse by $962
Running costs, 6 years
Fuel or charging	✓ $18,581	$19,418	Traverse by $837
Insurance (estimate)	✓ $11,746	$13,396	Traverse by $1,650
Maintenance (estimate)	✓ $7,717	$7,750	Traverse by $33
Loan rate	6.5%	6.5%	—
Loan interest	✓ $12,030	$12,232	Traverse by $202
Lost return on your money	✓ $12,736	$12,921	Traverse by $185
Resale after 6 yrs	−$22,756	✓ −$23,152	Explorer by $396
Total
True cost	✓ $102,343	$105,816	Traverse by $3,473
True cost a month	✓ $1,421/mo	$1,470/mo	Traverse by $49
You pay each month	✓ $1,491/mo	$1,542/mo	Traverse by $51
Practical
Fuel type	Gas	Gas	—
Seats	7	7	—
Carry-ons, 2 people	8+	Not published	—
Towing, lb	5,000	5,000	—
Cargo behind row 2, litres	1,603	Not published	—
Length	5.19 m	—	—
Ground clearance	17 cm	—	—
Resale % after 6 yrs	44%	44%	—
US crash test	5★	5★ (closest version)	—

Price

Sticker (MSRP)

Traverse LT ✓ $51,799Explorer Active $52,700Cheaper by Traverse by $901

Freight and fees, before tax

Traverse LT $3,244Explorer Active ✓ $3,194Cheaper by Explorer by $50

Sales tax (HST)

Traverse LT ✓ $7,156Explorer Active $7,266Cheaper by Traverse by $110

Drive-away price

Traverse LT ✓ $62,198Explorer Active $63,160Cheaper by Traverse by $962

Running costs, 6 years

Fuel or charging

Traverse LT ✓ $18,581Explorer Active $19,418Cheaper by Traverse by $837

Insurance (estimate)

Traverse LT ✓ $11,746Explorer Active $13,396Cheaper by Traverse by $1,650

Maintenance (estimate)

Traverse LT ✓ $7,717Explorer Active $7,750Cheaper by Traverse by $33

Loan rate

Traverse LT 6.5%Explorer Active 6.5%Cheaper by —

Loan interest

Traverse LT ✓ $12,030Explorer Active $12,232Cheaper by Traverse by $202

Lost return on your money

Traverse LT ✓ $12,736Explorer Active $12,921Cheaper by Traverse by $185

Resale after 6 yrs

Traverse LT −$22,756Explorer Active ✓ −$23,152Cheaper by Explorer by $396

Total

True cost

Traverse LT ✓ $102,343Explorer Active $105,816Cheaper by Traverse by $3,473

True cost a month

Traverse LT ✓ $1,421/moExplorer Active $1,470/moCheaper by Traverse by $49

You pay each month

Traverse LT ✓ $1,491/moExplorer Active $1,542/moCheaper by Traverse by $51

Practical

Fuel type

Traverse LT GasExplorer Active GasCheaper by —

Seats

Traverse LT 7Explorer Active 7Cheaper by —

Carry-ons, 2 people

Traverse LT 8+Explorer Active Not publishedCheaper by —

Towing, lb

Traverse LT 5,000Explorer Active 5,000Cheaper by —

Cargo behind row 2, litres

Traverse LT 1,603Explorer Active Not publishedCheaper by —

Length

Traverse LT 5.19 mExplorer Active —Cheaper by —

Ground clearance

Traverse LT 17 cmExplorer Active —Cheaper by —

Resale % after 6 yrs

Traverse LT 44%Explorer Active 44%Cheaper by —

US crash test

Traverse LT 5★Explorer Active 5★ (closest version)Cheaper by —

✓ marks the better figure. Resale for both is typical for their type and brand (unless you lease). Their stickers differ by $901.