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HomeCompareExplorer vs 4Runner
Head-to-head

2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Toyota 4Runner

The Toyota 4Runner wins clearly, 92.3 to 82.6, on safety. The Ford Explorer is ahead on fuel & range.

F

2025 Ford Explorer

The 2025 Ford Explorer is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Explorer RWD, is EPA-rated at 24 …

vs
A

2025 Toyota 4Runner

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas large SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the 4Runner 4WD, is EPA-r…

Verdict · default weights

2025 Toyota 4Runner

Clear win

The Toyota 4Runner wins clearly, 92.3 to 82.6, on safety. The Ford Explorer is ahead on fuel & range.

Safety2025 Toyota 4Runner leads by 20
Fuel & range2025 Ford Explorer leads by 3.9
Category · weight2025 Toyota 4Runneroverall 92.32025 Ford Exploreroverall 82.6
Pricew 4no datano data
Fuel & rangew 396.1100
Safetyw 489.569.5
Space & cargow 2no datano data
Performancew 2no datano data
Tech & comfortw 3no datano data
Warrantyw 2no datano data
Overall92.382.6

Toyota 4Runner: model-level data · Ford Explorer: model-level data. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.

Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
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Specifications side by side

Trim-level specs appear here once the manufacturer's press kit is on file for both vehicles. EPA and NHTSA data are compared above.
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Safety record

NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAP

Toyota 4Runner

Safety Signal92 A
NHTSA overall★★★★☆
Frontal / side / rollover★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★☆☆
Recalls1
Owner complaints58 · 2 crashes · 2 fires
Most complained aboutService Brakes (21), Unspecified (9), Electrical System (8)

Top recalls

  • highElectrical System25V595000 · 591,377 vehicles

Ford Explorer

Safety Signal35 F
NHTSA overall★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls22 · 1 critical
Owner complaints97 · 7 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained aboutElectrical System (21), Unspecified (17), Service Brakes (16)

Top recalls

  • criticalFuel System, Gasoline24V634000 · 24 vehicles
  • highSeats26V451000 · 387,911 vehicles
  • highEngine And Engine Cooling26V343000 · 1,536 vehicles
  • highSeat Belts26V159000 · 561 vehicles
  • highEngine And Engine Cooling26V122000 · 47,804 vehicles
  • highVisibility25V730000 · 56,841 vehicles

Ownership

EPA, manufacturer warranty
Toyota 4RunnerFord Explorer
Price
Price range across trims
PowertrainsHEV, GASGAS
EPA configuration compared4Runner 4WDExplorer RWD
Combined mpg / MPGe2324
EPA annual fuel cost$2,700$2,600
EV range
Basic warranty
Powertrain warranty
Roadside assistance

Common questions

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Which is better, the 2025 Toyota 4Runner or the 2025 Ford Explorer?

The Toyota 4Runner wins clearly, 92.3 to 82.6, on safety. The Ford Explorer is ahead on fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2025 Toyota 4Runner scores 92.3 and the 2025 Ford Explorer 82.6. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.

Which has the better safety record, the 2025 Toyota 4Runner or the 2025 Ford Explorer?

2025 Toyota 4Runner: 4 NHTSA stars, grade A, 1 recall. 2025 Ford Explorer: 5 NHTSA stars, grade F, 22 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.