The Chevrolet versus Ford rivalry is legendary. Camaro versus Mustang. Silverado versus F-Series. Traverse Z71 versus Explorer Tremor. It might not be a comparison you’ve thought about, but these are both off-road spec versions of volume sellers vying for buyers’ bucks.
I’ve driven both the ’26 Traverse Z71 and ’26 Explorer Tremor. Both seat at least six people, are AWD, come with factory all-terrain tires, and have turbocharged engines. So how do they compare, and is one better than the other?
2026 Chevy Traverse Z71
Traverse Z71 Off-Road Equipment
In 2024, I attended the latest Traverse launch in Georgia, which included the adventure-oriented Z71. It was the first time the Z71 package was offered on Traverse.
The SUV offered good ride quality, a quiet cabin, and 265/65R18 Goodyear Wrangler Territory all-terrain tires. Additionally, the Z71 had dampers with hydraulic rebound control to easily soak up what trails and bad roads had to offer.
My off-road time with this seven-passenger crossover was limited to winding gravel roads. There wasn’t an opportunity to find its off-road limits.
Fast-forward to 2026, the Traverse Z71’s second model year, and you still get adventure-centric things like functional front recovery hooks, Terrain Mode for off-road driving, and skid plates.
Its variety of cameras lets you see around the vehicle well, even when on a trail. However, with only 7.76 inches of ground clearance, you’d have to be careful over all but the smallest of obstacles. But it’s about an inch more than non-Z71 models.
Engine & Transmission: One Choice, Four-Cylinders
There’s one Traverse engine: The LK0 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder making 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The Traverse uses a stalk on the column to operate the transmission. There are steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, but to use them, you have to be in the “L” mode; otherwise, they do nothing.
This SUV never feels fast, but it isn’t lethargic. Its power is noticeably best in the mid-range. The eight-speed transmission does a good job shifting and works as expected. The Traverse Z71 can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
2026 Ford Explorer Tremor
Explorer Tremor: Better Off-Road Options
The AWD Explorer Tremor also offers a good ride, is quiet, and has the same-sized 18-inch tires as the Chevy, but are Bridgestone Dueler A/Ts. Ford was much more willing to show off the Explorer Tremor’s off-road capability on its launch than Chevy was with its Traverse Z71, however.
I pushed the Explorer Tremor pretty hard on the Death Valley vehicle launch drive, and it performed admirably for this type of SUV. The Ford has an inch more ground clearance than the Traverse Z71 (at 8.7 inches), which immediately helped its off-road prowess.
It has a Torsen limited-slip rear differential and has off-road driving modes that add to its dirt-driving chops. It also had beefy skid plates, which I employed.
Like the Z71, this Explorer had a unique suspension tuned for off-road driving. Other goodies included front tow hooks, a very good camera system that can be used on- or off-road, and auxiliary lights in the front fascia.
2 Turbocharged Engine Options
Explorer Tremor buyers can choose between a turbocharged EcoBoost 2.3L four-cylinder making 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque (less than the Traverse Z71), or a 3.0L twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V-6 making 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque (more than the Traverse).
Both engines are mated to a 10-speed automatic operated by a dial on the center console. Pressing the M button on the dial’s center cycles through the driving modes.
I only got the chance to drive the V-6 model in Death Valley, and it had gobs of power. The V-6 Tremor is definitely sportier than the Z71 when it comes to thrust.
Regardless of which engine you opt for, Explorer Tremor can tow 5,000 pounds, the same as the Chevy.
’26 Traverse Z71 vs. ’26 Explorer Tremor
Comfort Comparisons
Both vehicles offer loads of space and plenty of comfort. The ’26 Traverse Z71 had seating for seven, while the ’26 Explorer Tremor has spots for six people.
The Chevy offers 98 cubic feet of maximum storage compared to 85.8 cubic feet in the Ford. Advantage: Chevy.
Both vehicles have great sound systems, one from Bose (Chevy), one from Bang & Olufsen (Ford), so it’s a toss-up here. I feel Chevy’s infotainment UX is easier to use compared to Ford’s, however.
I found both vehicles’ front seats very comfortable, with a slight edge going to the Explorer. I would gladly take either on a cross-country drive.
Speaking of, both vehicles had their own semi-autonomous “advanced driver-assistance” systems with hands-free driving ability on select roads. Chevy has Super Cruise, Ford has BlueCruise. Neither is perfect, but neither is better or worse to me than the other in my experiences.
In the handling department, it felt like a toss-up again. Neither is particularly sporty in the corners on the road, offering fair amounts of body lean on all-terrain rubber. Then again, people aren’t buying these to carve canyons. They’re hauling people and stuff and are going through inclement weather.
Which Has Better Quality and Materials?
I found the Traverse Z71’s interior to be a bit more plasticy. Some exterior parts also didn’t feel as well-made as the Ford. For example, while driving the ’26 Traverse Z71 production model on a cool winter day in Oregon, the sun was warming up the dashboard, which would make popping noises as it warmed up. While I think Traverse’s aesthetic is sporty, it also just doesn’t feel as premium as Ford’s.
The Explorer Tremor’s interior felt more upscale than the Chevy’s. The gold-colored stitching looked premium, and the overall fit and finish were better. One of our Ford Tremor launch vehicles, however, developed a rattle behind the dashboard after a day of off-roading. The Ford’s exterior also felt a touch more solid than the Chevy’s.
Price, Warranty, and Fuel Economy: Similarities & Differences
A 2026 Chevrolet Traverse Z71 starts at $48,900 + $1,895 destination for a total of $50,795. A 2026 Ford Explorer Tremor (with the 2.3L four-cylinder) starts at $48,465 + $1,695 delivery for $50,160.
Our ’26 Traverse Z71 tester stickered at $57,455 with options. A loaded Explorer Tremor with the V-6 is $60,135 + destination. Clearly, the four-cylinder Tremor models are more of an apples-to-apples comparo, and you’ll certainly pay a premium for that twin-turbo six-pot.
Chevy and Ford both offer a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
When it comes to fuel economy, the Traverse nets 20 mpg city, 24 highway, and 21 mpg combined. The Explorer with the 2.3L gets 19 mpg city, 23 highway, and 21 mpg combined. Opt for the Tremor’s V- 6 and you’ll lose a couple of mpg to the tune of 17 city, 22 highway, and 19 combined.
A Classic Chevy vs. Ford Rivalry
Chevy and Ford have been rivals forever. And when it comes to the Traverse Z71 versus the Ford Explorer Tremor, it comes down to personal preference when comparing four-cylinder models. Yes, the Chevy makes more power, but the Ford is slightly more premium.
The EcoBoost V-6 has gobs of power; you just have to be willing to pay for it. The Ford’s extra ground clearance and rear limited-slip differential add points for off-roading, but the Chevy has more interior space for gear and people, and it seats one more person.
They have the same size all-terrain tires, the same towing capacity, similar prices (for four cylinders), and similar fuel economy. So, in the end, you’ll either fall into the “bowtie” camp or the “blue oval” clan. But both offer more ruggedness and capability for those looking to take their six-plus–passenger AWD SUV off the beaten path.
