Are you looking for a Ford Explorer for sale in Atlanta? This three-row SUV is often compared to the Chevy Traverse. Both are from trusted domestic auto brands and offer spacious interiors, modern technology, and impressive towing powers. Parents raising kids in the ATL love their flexible cabin layouts and advanced safety features, while professionals love their cutting-edge technology and other premium elements.

So, the question is, which three-row SUV is right for your needs? Once you get to know these two better, you might realize that their differences are greater than their similarities. They are far from interchangeable, so it’s important to know what you’re getting. Given that a vehicle is a major investment, we want you to make the right choice. So, let’s review the reasons we believe a 2025 Ford Explorer is a better buy than a 2025 Chevy Traverse, particularly for drivers in this region of Georgia.

Trim Level Diversity

Atlanta’s broad spectrum of lifestyles is what makes it such an incredible place to live. From the students at Emory and Morehouse to the families in the suburbs of Johns Creek and Decatur to the professionals running businesses downtown, you can find folks from every walk of life in the ATL. This is one reason why we love the Ford Explorer for drivers here.

The Ford Explorer comes in four distinct trims. There’s the affordable and solid starting trim, the Active, which builds this SUV’s foundation with a turbocharged I-4 engine and plenty of comfort and convenience features. There’s the sporty ST-Line, which has a lot of standard upgrades and sharper aesthetics, though it keeps the turbo I-4. Next is the luxury Platinum trim, which has the best comfort and connectivity features, as well as the turbo I-4. Last is the ST, which combines some of the lavish perks of the Platinum with the athletic aura of the ST-Line, except it goes even further in its aesthetics and comes standard with a turbocharged V6.

The Chevy Traverse also comes in one of four trims: the starting LT, the off-road-inspired Z71, the luxurious High Country, and the performance-flavored RS. These are solid choices, but they each have fewer standard amenities and weaker capabilities than their peers in the Ford Explorer’s trim lineup. Having such a bounty of features is ideal for a place like the ATL, where there’s so much variety in people’s preferences.

Way More USB Ports

You and your crew need to stay connected during your road trips and daily drives around the city, so it’s important that everyone has a way to plug in their devices. The Ford Explorer boasts eight USB ports in every trim level: one Type-A and one Type-C in the center tech stack, two Type-C in the front console, two Type-C in the second row, and two more Type-C in the third row. That means everyone has a port, so there will be no fighting over who gets to charge their phone.

The Chevy Traverse underwhelms us in the USB port department, offering only four ports overall for all four trims: one Type-C and one Type-A in the front console, and two Type-A on the back of that console. This means you’ll be dealing with a lot of taps on the shoulder and “Would you mind plugging my phone in?” requests, particularly for that lone Type-C port.

Two Engine Options

The 2025 Chevy Traverse only has one engine option: a 2.5L turbocharged I-4 that makes 328 hp. If that’s enough oomph for you, then you might be fine with this model. However, if you’re after a little more power, then you might consider the Ford Explorer, which can see its base 300-hp 2.3L turbocharged I-4 upgraded to a 400-hp 3.0L turbocharged (available on the Platinum and standard on the ST).

It’s also worth mentioning, to those with long daily commutes across I-20, that the Explorer’s turbo I-4 has better fuel economy figures than the Traverse’s turbo I-4. The Explorer’s I-4 achieves 20 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway, for 24 MPG combined; the Traverse’s I-4 achieves 20 MPG in the city, too, but only 27 MPG on the highway, for 23 MPG combined.

More Adjustable Driver’s Seat

Here’s another important perk for commuters: highly adjustable seats. The Explorer has a ten-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, compared to the Traverse, which has an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. So you’ll have a couple of extra setting options in the Explorer, which could make it right for individuals who sometimes struggle to get comfortable in the standard seat settings.

A Massaging Front Seat

This is a big difference between the two models, and for some, it might be the deciding factor. Only the Ford Explorer has available massaging seats. The Chevy Traverse does not have these on any trim. If you know you’ll spend a lot of time behind the wheel, massaging seats might be a must-have feature for you. If your life is so busy that you drive home weary, and being stuck in traffic boosts your bodily fatigue, at least you can get a bit of proactive relief from your SUV!

A Better Price Range

For budget-conscious shoppers, the final decision might come down to price—and if keeping extra money in your pockets for your lifestyle in Atlanta is the priority, the Explorer is the best choice. The starting trim of the Ford Explorer sits at just under $40k, while the starting trim of the Chevy Traverse sits at just over $40k, with a difference of nearly $1k, which is pretty big considering you get less with the 2025 Traverse LT than you do with the 2025 Explorer Active.

Do you plan on springing for a luxury trim? You’ll still see significant savings if you stick with the Ford Explorer, as its Platinum trim sits well under $52k, whereas the Traverse’s High Country trim is on the verge of $54k!

Elevate Your Drives in a Ford Explorer

If you’re ready to buy a three-row SUV, we highly recommend the Ford Explorer over the Chevy Traverse. With its generous trims, the 2025 Explorer simply offers more options and appeals to more personalities and budgets. Plus, it offers two engines, while the Traverse only offers one, and the Explorer’s smaller engine gets better fuel economy.

The Explorer’s eight USB ports best the modest four in the Traverse. Plus, only the Explorer has massaging seats, which can be a dream come true for serious commuters. The more adjustable driver’s seat in the Explorer is also a nice benefit for those who spend a lot of time behind the wheel. Finally, the lower price range of the 2025 Explorer makes it more appealing to shoppers who are watching their wallets.

Are you ready to take an Explorer for a test drive and learn more about it? We have this dynamic SUV in all of its trims, as well as a team of Ford specialists ready to answer all of your questions. Once you’ve selected your favorite, our financing professionals can put together a payment plan that fits your budget. We also have on-site technicians who can keep your Explorer running smoothly over the years to come. Stop by to check out the popular and reliable three-row 2025 Ford Explorer today!