What SUVs Have Keyless Entry?

Safety and convenience are two important aspects of any vehicle. Sticking your key inside a door to unlock it is safe; however, using modern technology is now more convenient to unlock your door. Keypads have been an amazing addition to recent vehicles, allowing you to unlock your door with a simple code. You may be wondering, which SUVs allow for a keyless, keypad entry? We have done the research and compiled the information here so you are well informed.

These are the most popular SUVs with a keypad entry system:

Mid-size:

  • Chevy Traverse
  • Ford Edge
  • Buick Enclave
  • GMC Acadia
  • Ford Explorer

Full-size:

  • Ford Expedition

If you still have questions about keypads, SUVs, or anything in between, you are in luck. We will continue to talk about these keypad-equipped SUVs below to answer important questions like the difference between smart keys and keyless entry. We'll also discuss how far away keyless entry works, safety implications, and whether you can disable keyless entry. Keep reading below!

A man's hand pushing unlock button on car remote, What SUVs Have Keyless Entry?

SUVs With Keypad Entry

Senior woman opening car door

Chevy Traverse

The Chevy Traverse offers a five-button keypad system right above the driver’s door handle. The keypad is made up of physical buttons, which some people prefer over digital, pressure-sensing buttons found on today’s newer vehicles. Additionally, this larger yet mid-size SUV has three rows of seats. Like most SUVs, it comes standard with a V6 engine and all-wheel drive.

Ford Edge

Ford has always been the leading figure in the keypad industry. They offer keypads as an option on just about all of their vehicles, unlike their competitors. Because of this, they are always working on improving their keypad technology. The Ford Edge is no different. Along with a great keypad, it also has a 2.7L Ecoboost engine allowing it to get up to 29 miles per gallon. This great fuel economy does come at cost, allowing the Edge to only seat five passengers.

Buick Enclave

It is no surprise that certain models of the Buick Enclave have a keypad system, as Chevy, GMC, and Buick are all connected through GM. The Enclave is a luxury SUV with three rows of seats, comfortably seating up to seven. This technologically advanced SUV comes in a 3.6L V6 engine, making it powerful under the hood and inside the cab.

GMC Acadia

The GMC Acadia is another luxury SUV in GMC’s lineup that offers a keypad, typically located on the driver's side door. The Acadia features optional three-row seating to accommodate up to seven passengers. With a spacious trunk, the Acadia is a great choice for people looking for storage in a mid-size SUV. This SUV has plenty of engine options to choose from, starting with a 2.5L 4-cylinder and moving up to a 3.6L V6. This means the Acadia is customizable to your preference.

Ford Explorer

Ford located the keypad near the driver's side window, and depending on your Explore year/model, it is either physical buttons or unnoticed until touched, lighted buttons. You can also use the keypad to recall personalized driver's seat and mirror settings and arm or disable the anti-theft alarm.

The Ford Explorer is a fantastic mid-size SUV. You can get a 2.3L Ecoboost engine or upgrade all the way to a 3.0L Ecoboost engine, depending on what model you go with. The Explorer seats from six to seven passengers, and gets 27 miles per gallon in the city, which is amazing for an SUV. If you are looking for an SUV with a high-tech engine, look no further!

Ford Expedition

The sleek keypad on Expedition is located on the driver's side door panel, discreetly invisible until your touch brings the lights aglow. What the Ford Expedition lacks in fuel economy, it makes up for in almost every other category.

The Expedition comes in many different options, including a four-wheel drive option. With a vehicle like this, you are basically driving a truck that can hold eight passengers and still leave room for storage.

How Do I Know If My Car Has Keyless Entry Capabilities?

The good thing about keyless entry is you can tell fairly easily if your vehicle has this feature or not. Check around the driver’s side mirror, the door handle, or even beside the driver’s side window for a keypad. These are the most common places they are located.

If you do not have a keypad, check and see if your door unlocks automatically when a key is detected by grabbing the door handle, looking for a touchpoint on the handle, or simply walking up to the vehicle. If none of these options work, you can always check your owner’s manual or google your vehicle along with the words keyless entry.

What Is The Difference Between Smart Keys and Keyless Entry?

Close up of a man's hand pushing unlock button on car remote

Smart keys have many abilities, and keyless entry may be one of those abilities. A smart key can unlock and lock your vehicle from a distance. In certain vehicles, a smart key can open your trunk, turn on your engine, and do more with just the push of a button on your keys.

How Far Away Does Keyless Entry Work?

Usually, you need to be within two or three feet from the driver’s side door for the smart key to automatically unlock your vehicle. While the term keyless entry implies you do not need your keys, what it really means is that you do not need to take your keys out of your pocket to unlock the vehicle. You will still need to have your keys within a few feet of the door in order for it to unlock.

The reason you need to be so close is for safety and security. The keyless system is made to let the person holding the keys into the vehicle and nobody else. If it worked from 10 to 15 feet away, you run the risk of accidentally unlocking your vehicle by simply walking past it. This runs the risk of leaving it unlocked without knowing.

Can I Disable Keyless Entry?

Yes, on some vehicles. Check with your specific owner's manual to see if you can disable this feature.

Can You Break Into A Car With Keyless Entry?

Unless you drive an actual tank, no vehicle is entirely safe from being broken into. As long as you make sure your vehicle is locked before walking away, you can secure your vehicle and keep most thieves from getting inside. 

One issue to keep in mind is someone’s ability to guess your keypad code. If your keypad code is something simple like “1-2-3-4” or “0-0-0-0,” you run the risk of a thief guessing the code and opening your vehicle without the keys or yourself present. Our advice is to make your code something that is unique and almost impossible to guess.

Summary

Overall, plenty of SUVs have a keypad entry system as an option to add. Keypads allow for you or a loved one to access the interior of your vehicle with just a simple code. This can be helpful if you lose your keys or want to allow someone access when you or the keys are not around. With technology constantly improving in cars and SUVs, you can expect keypads and keyless entry to become more and more popular in the future.

Looking for more helpful information on car keys? Check out this article: "Are Car Keys Waterproof? [And What To Do When They Get Wet]."

Wanting to know what technology is offered in newer SUVs? Consider this article: "Which SUVs Have Heads-Up Display?"

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