Top Pick: Ford Explorer is the Best All-Rounder for Most Buyers
A midsize SUV and truck buying guide for budget-conscious drivers compares gas-powered models like the Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Colorado, and Chevrolet Traverse on practicality, features, and value, helping shoppers who want towing and cargo ability without paying extra for hybrid technology. For most people, the Ford Explorer is the best starting point. It combines three-row seating versatility, strong gas engines, and a comfortable ride in a midsize footprint that is easier to live with than the largest SUVs while still meeting family needs. The Explorer offers trims ranging from sporty to value-focused and near-luxury, all supported by potent engines including a 300-horsepower turbo 4-cylinder and an available 400-horsepower twin-turbo V6. That mix of choice, power, and everyday comfort makes it the most balanced pick in this 2026 midsize SUV comparison.
| Spec | Chevy Traverse | Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Overall length | 204.5 in | 198.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 121.0 in | 119.1 in |
| 2nd / 3rd-row legroom | 41.5 / 32.1 in | 37.5 / 31.8 in |
| Cargo behind 2nd / 3rd row | 56.6 / 22.9 cu ft | 46 / 16.3 cu ft |
| Seating | 7 or 8 seats | 6 or 7 seats |
Ford Explorer: Versatile Three-Row Gas SUV with Comfortable Tech-Rich Cabin
The Explorer is a long-running three-row midsize SUV that has grown and evolved to match family needs over more than three decades. It offers third-row versatility in a package that drives more like a traditional midsize vehicle than an oversized people mover, making it a strong value-focused alternative to bigger rivals in this 2026 midsize SUV comparison. Standard rear-wheel drive helps give it an engaging feel, while available rear-biased all-wheel drive improves traction without sacrificing refinement. Inside, every model gets a 13.2-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, wireless smartphone charging, and connected apps via the Ford Digital Experience, alongside Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Ford Co-Pilot360 driver assists and available BlueCruise hands-free driving support long trips and daily commuting with a quiet, compliant ride that suits families who spend plenty of time on highways.
Chevrolet Colorado: Rugged Gas Truck for Towing, Trails, and Daily Use
For buyers who want a gas truck instead of a hybrid SUV, the Chevrolet Colorado is the clear recommendation. Every Colorado comes as a crew cab with a 5-foot bed and the same engine and transmission, simplifying the gas truck buying guide decision by avoiding complex drivetrain choices. Its gas powertrain supports the highest towing capacity in the core midsize truck segment, while a roomy interior and smooth highway ride make it suitable for work and longer trips. All trims offer a capable part-time 4-wheel drive system and up to 10.7 inches of ground clearance, and off-road-focused versions like the ZR2 add specialized suspension and 33-inch off-road tires for serious trail use. On the tech side, every truck includes an 11.3-inch touchscreen plus an 11-inch Driver Information Center, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and standard driver assistance via Chevy Safety Assist.
Chevrolet Traverse: Maximum Space and Family Features in a Gas Three-Row SUV
If passenger and cargo space trump everything else, the Chevrolet Traverse is the standout affordable family SUV in 2026’s three-row gas segment. It is one of the largest and roomiest midsize SUVs available, with the longest wheelbase in its class plus the most cargo room behind the third row. This translates to enough legroom in the second and third rows to seat six adults comfortably and extra space that can reduce the need for a rooftop carrier on family trips. Every Traverse uses a single 328-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, which delivers strong performance but can get loud under heavy throttle. Inside, a standard 17.7-inch touchscreen flows into an 11-inch digital instrument cluster under one glass panel, combining sharp graphics with intuitive controls and built-in Google software. Climate controls appear on the screen and as separate physical buttons and knobs, so drivers can use whichever interface they prefer.
Buy if / Skip if
- Buy the Ford Explorer if you want a midsize three-row SUV that balances strong gas power, modern tech, and a comfortable highway ride for a wide range of family and commuting needs.
- Skip the Ford Explorer if you need maximum third-row and cargo space, where the larger and longer Chevrolet Traverse offers more room behind the third row and greater legroom for all passengers.
- Buy the Chevrolet Colorado if you prefer a gas-powered midsize truck with class-leading towing, capable off-road hardware, and standard trailering and connectivity tech instead of paying extra for hybrid systems.
- Skip the Chevrolet Colorado if you rarely tow or venture off-road and would make better use of a three-row SUV’s enclosed cargo area and additional passenger seating.
- Buy the Chevrolet Traverse if your priority is an affordable family SUV with one of the roomiest interiors, generous standard tech features, and a potent turbo 4-cylinder that avoids hybrid premiums.
- Skip the Chevrolet Traverse if you dislike a single drivetrain choice or want a quieter engine sound under heavy throttle, since its lone turbocharged 4-cylinder can get loud when pushed.
- Skip the Chevrolet Traverse if you or your passengers struggle with less intuitive seat mechanisms, as its second-row latches demand more dexterity than rival push-button designs.
