Compare 2021 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2021 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Mazda CX-9

2021 Chevrolet Traverse
#14 in Large SUVs
X
2021 Ford Explorer
#5 in Large SUVs
X
2021 Mazda CX-9
#8 in Large SUVs
X
Get Your Price Get Your Price Get Your Price
Select style
AWD 4-Door High Country
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Traverse AWD 4-Door High Country 17 25 $50,943 $53,400
Traverse AWD 4-Door LS w/1LS 17 25 $33,580 $35,200
Traverse AWD 4-Door LT Cloth w/1LT 17 25 $37,683 $39,500
Traverse AWD 4-Door LT Leather 17 25 $39,495 $41,400
Traverse AWD 4-Door Premier 17 25 $46,459 $48,700
Traverse AWD 4-Door RS 17 25 $43,979 $46,100
Traverse FWD 4-Door High Country 18 27 $48,844 $51,200
Traverse FWD 4-Door L 18 27 $29,770 $29,800
Traverse FWD 4-Door LS w/1LS 18 27 $31,672 $33,200
Traverse FWD 4-Door LT Cloth w/1LT 18 27 $34,057 $35,700
Traverse FWD 4-Door LT Leather 18 27 $37,587 $39,400
Traverse FWD 4-Door Premier 18 27 $43,979 $46,100
Traverse FWD 4-Door RS 18 27 $41,976 $44,000
Select style
Base 4WD
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Explorer Base 4WD 20 27 $33,635 $34,675
Explorer Base RWD 21 28 $31,695 $32,675
Explorer King Ranch 4WD 18 24 $52,176 $54,350
Explorer King Ranch RWD 18 24 $50,256 $52,350
Explorer Limited 4WD 20 27 $45,125 $47,005
Explorer Limited RWD 21 28 $43,205 $45,005
Explorer Platinum 4WD 18 24 $52,301 $54,480
Explorer ST 4WD 18 24 $50,717 $52,830
Explorer XLT 4WD 20 27 $35,352 $36,825
Explorer XLT RWD 21 28 $33,432 $34,825
Select style
Carbon Edition AWD
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
CX-9 Carbon Edition AWD 20 26 $40,848 $43,180
CX-9 Carbon Edition FWD 22 28 $39,049 $41,280
CX-9 Grand Touring AWD 20 26 $41,659 $44,040
CX-9 Grand Touring FWD 22 28 $39,863 $42,140
CX-9 Signature AWD 20 26 $44,273 $46,805
CX-9 Sport AWD 20 26 $34,116 $36,060
CX-9 Sport FWD 22 28 $32,319 $34,160
CX-9 Touring AWD 20 26 $35,808 $37,850
CX-9 Touring FWD 22 28 $34,012 $35,950
Pricing
Invoice Price
$50,943
$33,635
$40,848
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$53,400
$34,675
$43,180
Monthly Payment Estimate
$890 / month
$578 / month
$720 / month
The Car Connection's Take
TCC Rating
5.7
6.8
6.5
TCC’s Bottom Line
The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse is a big family mover with an update on the way next year. The 2021 Ford Explorer is recognizable, but new. It should be on every family SUV shopper’s list. The 2021 Mazda CX-9 crossover SUV rewards drivers with good road manners, but takes a penalty in third-row space.
TCC Likes
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
City
17 mpg 20 mpg 20 mpg
Highway
25 mpg 27 mpg 26 mpg
Vehicle
EPA Classification
Sport Utility Vehicles Standard SUV 4WD Small SUV 4WD
Interior Dimensions
Third Shoulder Room (in)
57.5 54.6 53.1
Second Leg Room (in)
38.4 39 39.4
Front Head Room (in)
39.6 40.7 40.1
Passenger Volume (ft³)
NA 152.7 135.8
Second Hip Room (in)
56.9 59.1 57.4
Front Shoulder Room (in)
62.1 61.8 57.9
Third Leg Room (in)
33.5 32.2 29.7
Second Head Room (in)
39 40.5 38.5
Passenger Capacity
7 7 6
Third Hip Room (in)
48.5 40.9 40.1
Second Shoulder Room (in)
62.2 61.9 58.1
Front Leg Room (in)
41 43 41
Third Head Room (in)
38.2 38.9 35.4
Front Hip Room (in)
58.1 59.2 56.7
Exterior Dimensions
Liftover Height (in)
30.57 32.8 31.7
Track Width, Rear (in)
67 66.9 65.2
Wheelbase (in)
120.9 119.1 115.3
Rear Door Opening Height (in)
NA - -
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
78.6 78.9 77.5
Track Width, Front (in)
67.3 66.9 65.3
Min Ground Clearance (in)
7.51 8.2 -
Length, Overall (in)
204.3 198.8 199.4
Rear Door Opening Width (in)
NA - -
Height, Overall (in)
70.7 70.2 67.6
Cargo Area Dimensions
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)
56.77 49.8 50.5
Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)
57.8 47.9 38.2
Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)
- TBD - 59 58.6
Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)
- TBD - 32.8 30.3
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)
89.75 83.9 84.9
Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)
98.2 87.8 71.2
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 3 (in)
24.77 20.8 21.5
Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)
23.0 18.2 14.4
Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)
- TBD - 48.1 40.2
Brakes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
12.6 x - TBD - 13.6 12.6
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
NA NA NA
Brake ABS System
4-Wheel 4-Wheel 4-Wheel
Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes Yes Yes
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
12.4 x - TBD - 12.6 12.8
Brake Type
Pwr 4-Wheel Disc 4-Wheel Disc
Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
NA NA NA
Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes Yes Yes
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
21.7 17.9 19.5
Steering
Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)
N/A - -
Steering Ratio (:1), Overall
NA - -
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
39.0 - 38.8
Steering Type
Electric variable-effort Power Rack & Pinion Rack-Pinion Rack-Pinion
Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)
NA - -
Tires
Rear Tire Size
P255/55R20 P255/65HR18 P255/50VR20
Rear Tire Order Code
Q3N NA NA
Front Tire Size
P255/55R20 P255/65HR18 P255/50VR20
Spare Tire Size
T135/70R18 Compact Compact
Front Tire Order Code
Q3N NA NA
Spare Tire Order Code
ZCD NA NA
Trailering
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
500 500 350
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
500 530 350
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
5000 5000 3500
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
5000 5300 3500
Maximum Trailering Capacity (lbs)
- 5300 3500
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
- TBD - 4345 4409
Wheels
Spare Wheel Material
Steel Steel Steel
Front Wheel Size (in)
20 x - TBD - 18 X 7.5 20 X 8.5
Spare Wheel Size (in)
18 x - TBD - Compact Compact
Rear Wheel Material
Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum
Rear Wheel Size (in)
20 x- TBD - 18 X 7.5 20 X 8.5
Front Wheel Material
Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum
Cooling System
Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)
- TBD - - -
Electrical
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
- TBD - - -
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
170 - 150
Engine
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
266 @ 2800 310 @ 3500 310 @ 2000
Engine Order Code
LFY 99H NA
Displacement
3.6L/217 2.3 L/140 2.5 L/152
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
310 @ 6800 300 @ 5500 227 @ 5000
Engine Type
Gas V6 Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4
Fuel System
Direct Injection Gasoline Direct Injection Gasoline Direct Injection
Mileage
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
25 27 26
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
17 20 20
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
20 23 23
Transmission
Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.75 0.85 -
Clutch Size (in)
NA - -
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
3.01 2.15 1.45
Trans Type
9 10 6
Drivetrain
All Wheel Drive Four Wheel Drive All Wheel
Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), High
NA - -
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.92 1.52 0.71
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA NA
Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)
1.00 1.00 -
Reverse Ratio (:1)
2.96 4.88 3.99
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
3.31 3.00 1.99
Trans Order Code
M3V 44T NA
Ninth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.62 - -
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
3.49 3.58 4.41
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
2.44 1.77 1.00
Trans Description Cont.
Automatic Automatic w/OD Automatic w/OD
Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), Low
NA - -
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.44 1.27 0.60
First Gear Ratio (:1)
4.69 4.71 3.49
Summary
Vehicle Name
Chevrolet Traverse Ford Explorer Mazda CX-9
Body Style
Sport Utility Sport Utility i-ACTIV AWD Sport Utility
Suspension
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)
NA - -
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
NA Strut Strut
Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)
- TBD - - -
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)
- TBD - - -
Suspension Type - Rear
Five-link independent Multi-Link Multi-Link
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
auxiliary spring aids Multi-Link Multi-Link
Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)
- TBD - - -
Suspension Type - Front
MacPherson strut independent Strut Strut
Emissions
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
8.9 7.7 7.8
EPA Greenhouse Gas Score
NA - -
Crash Test Ratings
Overall Rating
Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger
Overall Side Crash Rating
Side Barrier Rating
Side Barrier Rating Driver
Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat
Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat
Combined Side Rating Front Seat
Combined Side Rating Rear Seat
Rollover Rating
Next Steps: Get Free Price Quotes!
2021 Chevrolet Traverse
  • 2021 Traverse now in peak supply
  • Lease: From $329 for 36 months
  • Rebates: 10% off MSRP for all buyers
  • Finance: From 0% APR for 72 months
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2021 Ford Explorer
  • 2021 Explorer widely available
  • Lease: From $319 for 36 months
  • Rebates: Up to $1,250 off
  • Finance: From 0% APR for 36 months
Get Your Price
2021 Mazda CX-9
  • 2021 CX-9 selection adequate
  • Lease: From $289 for 36 months
  • Rebates: $750 loyalty bonus available
  • Finance: From 0% APR for 60 months
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