Utility has received an upgrade.
Arriving in Saskatchewan is the 2024 Ford Explorer Platinum. This SUV - which serves as the top-tier trim for the line - delivers exceptional capability, blending both high-strength and high-economy. It’s been precisely crafted to impress.
It also leaves the competition struggling to keep pace, with even the new Chevrolet Traverse High Country unable to generate the performance drivers crave.
Beneath the hood of the new Ford Explorer Platinum sits a 3.0L V6. This compacted graphite iron block proves ready to thrill, generating up to 400 HP and 415 lb.-ft of torque (as well as towing capacity of 5,600 pounds). Twin-turbochargers assure near-instant power, while direct acting mechanical buckets bolster valve performance. A 10-speed automatic transmission further improves the suite, affording precise upshifting as terrains change.
Ford then pairs this block with an available Intelligent 4WD. This system - with its 3.31 non-limited slip rear axle and Hill Descent Control software - assures optimal performance, seamlessly regulating traction outputs. This allows drivers to take full advantage of V6 power while travelling the backroads.
It also allows them to blaze past the new Chevy Traverse High Country. Though this model features a larger engine than the Explorer (a 3.6L V6), it fails to deliver the necessary power - earning a mere 310 HP and 266 lb.-ft of torque. Further limiting performance is its nine-speed automatic transmission and lack of Hill Descent Control. The difference will be felt with each mild-mannered rev.
The Winner: 2024 Ford Explorer Platinum.
Anchoring the V6 suite is direct-injection technology, which maximizes fuel output as traction demands change. Automatic start-stop functionality deactivates the engine when the SUV is idling to reduce consumption rates, while the standard RWD affords improved weight distribution and control (which further bolsters efficiency). These features assure a maximum MPG rating of 18 in the city and 26 on the highway, as well as a Combined result of 22. Drivers can also expect a full-tank range of up to 525 miles, ensuring that their days are spent on the road and not at the pump.
The 2024 Chevy Traverse High Country isn’t as accommodating. Its less-efficient V6 generates 17 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway; and the drive-range tends to hover at approximately 520 miles due to the smaller fuel tank (19 gallons compared to the Explorer’s 20.2 gallons).
Additionally, the Traverse's standard AWD will demand greater amounts of fuel, proving less than ideal in stop-and-go urban environments. Expect more visits to the petrol station.
The Winner: 2024 Ford Explorer Platinum
Discover the ultimate SUV. Available in Saskatchewan is the 2024 Ford Explorer Platinum - a class-defining V6 that redefines the family market. To learn more about this model (including how it compares to the Chevy Traverse High Country) contact Novlan Bros today. We will gladly provide additional specs and financing information.