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See why Wilkesboro families choose the Traverse. More cargo room. A bigger standard screen. Built for the climb to Boone.
Side by Side
Here is the honest matchup. The Traverse wins on space and standard tech. We show you where the Explorer wins too.
Why Traverse
Tap through the four areas where the Traverse pulls ahead for daily life in Wilkes County.
Best-in-class space
The Traverse holds 98 cubic feet of gear. That beats the Explorer by 12 cubic feet. Pack kayaks for W. Kerr Scott Reservoir and still fit the cooler.
Fold the seats flat for a hardware run from Lowe's. The wide load floor swallows lumber and mulch with room to spare.
Standard tech
Every Traverse ships with a 17.7-inch touchscreen. The Explorer gives you 13.2 inches. You see maps and music on a much larger display.
Google built-in runs Maps and Assistant without your phone. A second 11-inch driver screen keeps speed and range in clear view.
Family flexibility
The Traverse seats up to 8 people. The Explorer tops out at 7. That extra seat matters on the carpool run to Wilkes Central.
Smart Slide seats tip and glide for easy third-row access. Kids climb in fast at the North Wilkesboro Speedway gates.
Super Cruise
Available Super Cruise drives hands-free on over 585,000 miles of road. That covers the US-421 stretch toward Winston-Salem.
The system steers, brakes, and holds your lane on long highway hauls. You arrive in Charlotte or Boone more rested.
The Matchup
The 2026 Chevy Traverse and the 2026 Ford Explorer both seat the whole family and tow 5,000 pounds. Shoppers near Wilkesboro cross-shop them every week. We built this page to make the choice simple.
The Traverse gives you more cargo room, a bigger standard screen, and seating for 8. It fits weekend trips to Stone Mountain State Park and daily runs down US-421. We think it is the better buy for most local drivers.
Full Comparison
A blue check marks the winner of each row. Both SUVs earn wins where they deserve them.
| Specification | 2026 Chevrolet Traverse | 2026 Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $40,800* | $40,160* |
| Standard engine | 2.5L Turbo I-4 | 2.3L Turbo I-4 |
| Standard horsepower | 328 hp | 300 hp |
| Max available horsepower | 328 hp | 400 hp (V6) |
| Standard torque | 326 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy (city/hwy) | 20 / 26 MPG | 20 / 29 MPG |
| Max cargo volume | 98 cu ft | 85.8 cu ft |
| Cargo behind third row | 22.9 cu ft | 16.3 cu ft |
| Max seating | 8 | 7 |
| Standard touchscreen | 17.7 in | 13.2 in |
| Hands-free driving | Super Cruise (available) | BlueCruise (available) |
| Max towing | 5,000 lbs | 5,000 lbs |
| Ground clearance | 6.7 in | 7.6 in |
| All-wheel drive | Available | Available |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
Powertrain Flexibility
The 2.5L turbo engine makes 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque. That power pulls the grade up US-421 toward Deep Gap with ease.
Add available all-wheel drive for grip on gravel and snow. The Z71 trim brings Terrain Mode and Hill Descent Control for the trails.
Cargo Space
The Traverse holds 98 cubic feet with the seats down. The Explorer holds 85.8. That gap fits a full week of camping gear.
Load bikes for the Yadkin River Greenway or coolers for Stone Mountain State Park. The flat floor and wide opening make it simple.
Interior Tech
The 17.7-inch touchscreen comes standard on every Traverse. You see Google Maps in crisp detail on the way to Boone.
Google built-in runs apps without your phone plugged in. The 11-inch driver display keeps speed and trip data in front of you.
Rear-Seat Comfort
Smart Slide second-row seats tip and slide out of the way. Kids reach the third row without a struggle in the school lot.
Seat up to 8 people across three rows. Captain's chairs are available if your family wants more space in the middle.
Six looks at the SUV. Three outside. Three inside.
Our Store
McNeill Chevrolet sits at 1931 US Hwy 421 in Wilkesboro. The same family has run this store for four generations. We know the roads you drive because we drive them too.
Our GM-trained team handles sales, service, and parts under one roof. We serve drivers from North Wilkesboro to Boone, Statesville, and Winston-Salem.
From Our Customers
Real Google reviews from the people we serve.
Find Us
We are right on US Hwy 421 in Wilkesboro. Stop by for a Traverse test drive or quick service. Easy to reach from the whole county.
| Dealership | McNeill Chevrolet of Wilkesboro |
|---|---|
| Address | 1931 US Hwy 421, Wilkesboro, NC 28697 |
| Phone | (336) 844-4661 |
| Website | mcneillchevync.com |
| Cities Served | Wilkesboro, North Wilkesboro, Boone, Statesville, Winston-Salem, Hickory, Elkin |
Questions
Come see the Traverse at our Wilkesboro lot on US-421. Test drive it today and feel the difference for yourself.