Three vehicles dominate the Bergen County midsize three-row SUV conversation year after year: the Chevy Traverse, the Ford Explorer, and the Honda Pilot. All three seat seven or eight passengers, all three can tow a boat or camper, and all three compete in roughly the same price window. The differences between them are real - and they matter for how you actually live with the vehicle.
Bottom Line: Each competitor leads in a specific category. The Traverse wins on value and interior space per dollar, the Explorer leads in towing capacity, and the Pilot offers the most cargo room with a strong reliability record.
- Traverse starts lowest at ~$36,500 with 98.2 cu ft max cargo and seats up to 8
- Explorer tows up to 5,600 lbs - highest in this group - and offers the widest trim range
- Pilot offers 109.2 cu ft max cargo, seats 8, and adds a hybrid powertrain option
Pricing and Value: Where Your Dollar Goes Furthest
The Traverse’s entry price of around $36,500 is the lowest of the three vehicles, and the gap widens when you compare similarly equipped trims. The Ford Explorer starts at approximately $37,355, while the Honda Pilot opens at around $40,570 - a full $4,000 more than the Traverse at the base level.
That price difference compounds as you move up the trim ladder. A mid-level Traverse LT at roughly $43,200 competes directly against mid-range Explorer and Pilot trims that cost several thousand more for comparable feature content. For Bergen County buyers managing a household budget carefully, the Traverse gives more heated seats, infotainment, and standard safety features per dollar than either competitor.
Dealer incentives further favor the Traverse in most model years. Chevrolet has historically offered stronger financing and cash-back programs on the Traverse, and Paramus Chevrolet can apply those incentives directly at purchase. Check current Traverse new specials for what is currently available.
Cargo and Passenger Space Comparison
Honda Pilot leads on raw cargo volume with 109.2 cubic feet of max cargo space with all rear seats folded. That is a genuine advantage for families who regularly haul sports equipment, strollers, or oversized items. The Traverse follows with 98.2 cubic feet, and the Explorer trails at 87.8 cubic feet - a meaningful gap against both competitors.
Where the Traverse competes well is third-row usability. The 2024-2026 redesigned Traverse addressed a long-standing weakness of the second-generation model: the third row is now genuinely usable for adults on shorter trips, not just a cargo-net substitute for children. The Pilot’s third row is similarly adult-friendly, while the Explorer’s is the most cramped of the three.
Passenger capacity: the Traverse and Pilot both seat up to eight; the Explorer caps at seven across most configurations. If regular eight-passenger use is a need rather than an occasional convenience, the Traverse and Pilot are the practical choices.
"Families who come in having cross-shopped all three usually land on the Traverse once they sit in the third row and look at the feature list side by side - the value difference is harder to ignore in person than on a spec sheet."
General Manager, Paramus Chevrolet
Towing Capacity: Explorer Leads, Others Are Competitive
Ford Explorer leads this comparison with a 5,600 lb tow rating on properly equipped configurations with the 2.3L EcoBoost engine. The Explorer ST with its 3.0L twin-turbo V6 hits the same 5,600 lb ceiling. For Bergen County drivers who regularly haul boats from the Hackensack waterway or jet ski trailers toward the Shore, that extra 600 lbs over the Traverse matters.
The Traverse and Pilot both top out at 5,000 lbs towing with AWD. For most family hauling scenarios - a pop-up camper, a utility trailer, or a smaller boat - 5,000 lbs is sufficient. The gap only becomes relevant when you are regularly near the limit.
Consider the Explorer if towing is a primary use case. For buyers who tow occasionally and prioritize daily comfort and value, the Traverse’s 5,000 lb rating handles most tasks while offering better base pricing. The Chevy Traverse Complete Buyer’s Guide goes deeper on Traverse towing configuration.
Safety Ratings: All Three Score Well
Safety is a strength across all three competitors. The Traverse has earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+ recognition, as has the Honda Pilot. The Ford Explorer earned a strong 5-star overall NHTSA safety rating. All three include automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and forward-collision alert as standard equipment on 2026 models.
The Traverse’s Chevy Safety Assist package - standard across all trims - includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, following-distance indicator, front pedestrian braking, and IntelliBeam automatic high-beam assist. This is not a feature exclusive to upper trims.
For the most current safety ratings and recall status, always verify at nhtsa.gov/vehicle-ratings and nhtsa.gov/vehicle/recalls before purchase. Safety scores update as new model-year testing is completed.
Reliability and Long-Term Ownership
Honda’s reliability reputation is its strongest competitive advantage. Pilot owners in Ridgewood and across Bergen County consistently report high satisfaction with long-term reliability, and the Honda brand has built a durable owner-loyalty track record over decades. For buyers who plan to keep a vehicle 10 years or 150,000 miles, that matters.
The 2024-2026 redesigned Traverse represents a significant quality step from the second-generation model. The third-generation platform - shared with the Chevy Equinox at a larger scale - has addressed most of the interior and infotainment complaints that followed the second-gen. Early owner satisfaction with the redesigned Traverse is strong.
The Explorer sits in the middle on reliability metrics, with generally positive owner reports but a more complex powertrain in higher trims. The base 2.3L EcoBoost has a long service history and is the more predictable long-term choice in that lineup.
Which One Should Bergen County Families Choose?
For value and space, the Traverse wins. It starts lowest, equips the best, and delivers a genuinely usable third row at competitive pricing. Bergen County families prioritizing daily practicality and budget efficiency should start their search here.
For maximum towing, the Explorer wins. If 5,600 lbs is a regular operating requirement and towing is the job, the Explorer earns the recommendation. Otherwise, the tow-capacity advantage does not justify the price premium and smaller cargo footprint.
For long-term reliability confidence, the Pilot is strong. Honda’s reputation is earned over decades. Buyers who prioritize minimizing long-term repair costs and plan to hold the vehicle through 100,000-plus miles may find the peace of mind worth the higher entry price.
Estimate your total cost of ownership across all three vehicles before deciding - the upfront price difference narrows or widens considerably depending on fuel costs, maintenance schedules, and insurance rates in Bergen County.
Browse current Traverse inventory at Paramus Chevrolet to find the trim that fits your family’s needs, or contact our team with specific questions about how the Traverse compares in your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which three-row SUV has the most cargo space? The Honda Pilot leads with 109.2 cubic feet maximum cargo space. The Chevy Traverse follows with 98.2 cubic feet, and the Ford Explorer trails at 87.8 cubic feet with all rear seats folded.
Which SUV tows the most - Traverse, Explorer, or Pilot? The Ford Explorer leads with a 5,600 lb maximum tow rating. Both the Traverse and Pilot cap at 5,000 lbs with AWD. All three are adequate for most family towing scenarios under 4,500 lbs.
Is the Chevy Traverse more reliable than the Ford Explorer? Owner satisfaction data for the redesigned 2024-2026 Traverse is positive and improving. The Honda Pilot holds the strongest long-term reliability reputation in this group. The Explorer is generally dependable but has a broader range of trim complexity that can affect long-term costs.
Which SUV is best for Bergen County families? For most Bergen County families balancing price, space, and daily utility, the Traverse delivers the strongest overall package. The Pilot suits buyers who prioritize reliability and cargo volume; the Explorer suits frequent towers or buyers who want the ST performance variant.
Do all three come with standard automatic emergency braking? Yes. All three 2026 models - Traverse, Explorer, and Pilot - include automatic emergency braking as standard equipment across all trims. The specific system capabilities vary; review each automaker’s safety technology details for exact coverage.
Where can I check safety recalls on these vehicles? NHTSA maintains current recall information at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/recalls. Search by make, model, and year before finalizing any vehicle purchase.