Head-to-head
2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Toyota 4Runner
The Ford Explorer edges it, 92.9 to 87.3, on tech & comfort, fuel & range, performance. The Toyota 4Runner is ahead on safety.
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
A2025 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…
More Ford Explorer head-to-heads More Toyota 4Runner head-to-heads Every Explorer vs 4Runner model year
Verdict · default weights
2025 Ford Explorer
Slight edgeThe Ford Explorer edges it, 92.9 to 87.3, on tech & comfort, fuel & range, performance. The Toyota 4Runner is ahead on safety.
Tech & comfort 2025 Ford Explorer leads by 36.8
Safety 2025 Toyota 4Runner leads by 12.6
Fuel & range 2025 Ford Explorer leads by 3.7
| Category · weight | 2025 Toyota 4Runneroverall 87.3 | 2025 Ford Exploreroverall 92.9 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 96.3 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 85.8 | 73.2 | |||||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | |||||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 94 | 97 | |||||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 93.7 | 99.5 | |||||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 63.2 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | |||||||||||||||||
| Warrantyw 2 | 100 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Basic and powertrain coverage in years and miles. | |||||||||||||||||
| Overall | 87.3 | 92.9 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
Toyota 4Runner: base trim SR5 2WD · Ford Explorer: base trim Active RWD. 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.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2025 Ford Explorer wins
- It lists 31 standard driver-assist features against 20.
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (34 points against 21.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It carries 5 NHTSA overall stars against 4.
Where the 2025 Toyota 4Runner answers
- It has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 94 against 43).
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (62 against 109 filed with NHTSA).
What they share
- A 3-year basic warranty.
- 36,000-mile basic coverage.
- A 5-year powertrain warranty.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
54 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $40,770 | — |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | twin turbo | twin turbo |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 2,393 cc | 2,261 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder Turbocharged DOHC D-4ST | 2.3-liter EcoBoost I-4 |
| Fuel injection system | D-4ST | gdi mpi |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 16-Valve | DOHC 16-Valve |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 278 hp | 300 hp |
| Torque | 317 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 20 mpg | — |
| MPG (combined) | 22 mpg | — |
| MPG (highway) | 26 mpg | — |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.583 | 3.58 |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | 10 |
| Transmission type | 8-speed AT | automatic |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 8.1 in | 7.6 in |
| Overall height | 72.6 in | 69.6 in |
| Overall length | 195 in | 199 in |
| Overall width | 77.9 in | 78.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 112 in | 119 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 90.2 cu-ft | 85.8 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 48.4 cu-ft | 46 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 3rd row | — | 16.3 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | — | 153 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | 7 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 39.7 in | 40.7 in |
| Second-row headroom | 37.8 in | 40.5 in |
| Third-row headroom | 35.3 in | 38.9 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 41.8 in | 43 in |
| Second-row legroom | 34.8 in | 39 in |
| Third-row legroom | 31.8 in | 32.2 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 4,455 lbs | — |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,455 lbs | 4,303 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 6,005 lbs | — |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Independent double-wishbone with stabilizer bar and twin-tube shock absorbers | independent |
| Rear suspension type | Multi-link with coil springs and outboard-mounted twin-tube shock absorbers | independent |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Electronic Power Steering (EPS); power-assisted rack-and-pinion | Electric Power-Assisted Steering |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 19.7 ft | — |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 340 mm | — |
| Front brake type | rotor | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | epb | electric |
| Rear brake diameter | 335 mm | — |
| Rear brake type | rotor | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 18 in | 18 in |
| Wheel material | forged alloy | aluminum |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 245/70R18 | P255/65R18 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 19 gal | 17.9 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | Toyota | FordPass Connect |
| Connected services trial (premium tier) | 1 months | — |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | 120 months | — |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 58 in | 62.1 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | 57.8 in | 61.9 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | — | 54.6 in |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
117 features · differences first, then sharedSafety27 differ · 39 listed
| Feature | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection | — | std |
| Rear Cross-Traffic Braking | — | std |
| Evasive Steering Assist | — | std |
| Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA) | std | — |
| Lane-Keeping System (Lane-Keeping Alert, Lane-Keeping Assist, Driver Alert) | — | std |
| Rear View Camera with Backup Assist Grid Lines | — | std |
| Ford Co-Pilot360™ – Driver Alert | — | std |
| Hill Descent Control™ (4WD Models) | — | std |
| LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether Anchors for Children) on Second and Third Row Outboard Seating Positions | — | std |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | std |
| Child-protector rear door locks and power window lockout control | std | — |
| Curve Control | — | std |
| Driver and front passenger seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters | std | — |
| Electric Parking Brake with Auto Hold | — | std |
| Ford Co-Pilot360™ Assist+ (standard ADAS suite including Intersection Assist, Post-Collision Braking, Dynamic Brake Support) | — | std |
| Four-Wheel Disc Brakes with Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) | — | std |
| Front Cross-Traffic Alert (FCTA) | std | — |
| Integrated backup camera display with projected path | std | — |
| LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) includes lower anchors on outboard second-row seats and tether anchors on all second-row seats | std | — |
| Perimeter Alarm | — | std |
| Post-Collision Braking | — | std |
| Safety Canopy® Rollover Sensor | — | std |
| Side-Wind Stabilization | — | std |
| SOS Post-Crash Alert System™ | — | std |
| Toyota Safety Sense™ 3.0: — Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), Road Sign Assist (RSA), Proactive Drive Assist (PDA) | std | — |
| Traffic Jam Assist (TJA) | std | — |
| SecuriLock® Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) | — | std |
| Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go and Lane Centering | std | std |
| Pre-Collision Assist – Forward Collision Warning | std | std |
| Driver and Passenger Dual-Stage Front Airbags | std | std |
| Front-seat Side Airbags | std | std |
| Safety Canopy® Side-Curtain Airbags with Rollover Sensor | std | std |
| Trailer Sway Control | std | std |
| AdvanceTrac™ with RSC® (Roll Stability Control™) and ESC | std | std |
| Auto High-Beam Headlamps | std | std |
| BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-Traffic Alert and Trailer Coverage | std | std |
| Driver Knee Airbag | std | std |
| Hill Start Assist | std | std |
| Individual Tire Pressure Monitoring System (ITPMS) | std | std |
Infotainment13 differ · 16 listed
| Feature | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Safety Connect®— includes Emergency Assistance button, enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification and Stolen Vehicle Locator. | std | — |
| Remote Start System | std | opt |
| Safety Connect®— includes Emergency Assistance button, enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification and Stolen Vehicle Locator. | std | — |
| Audio – Six (6) Speakers | — | std |
| Safety Connect®— includes Emergency Assistance button, enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification and Stolen Vehicle Locator. | std | — |
| 8-in. Audio Multimedia Display with 8-speaker audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ compatibility, SiriusXM® 3-month trial | std | — |
| 911 Assist® | — | std |
| Ford Digital Experience – 13.2" Color LCD Touchscreen in IP Center-Stack with Alexa Built-In, Google Assistant/Maps/Play, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ Wireless Compatibility | — | std |
| Ford Power-Up Software Update Capability | — | std |
| Service Connect — Receive personalized maintenance updates and vehicle health reports. | std | — |
| SiriusXM® with 360L (3-month prepaid subscription) | — | std |
| Steering Wheel Mounted Audio and Cruise Controls | — | std |
| USB Ports: First Row – One (1) "A" and One (1) "C" in Media Bin and Two (2) "C" in Center Floor Console; Second Row – Two (2) "C" and Third Row – Two (2) "C" | — | std |
| 5G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot (connects up to 10 devices) | std | std |
| FordPass Connect™ – Remotely start, lock and unlock vehicle | std | std |
| FordPass Connect™ – Locate parked vehicle | std | std |
Convenience6 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Saver | — | std |
| Power door locks with shift-linked automatic lock/unlock feature | std | — |
| Power Liftgate | — | std |
| SecuriCode® Keyless Entry Keypad | — | opt |
| Universal Garage Door Opener (UGDO) | — | opt |
| Powerpoints (12V) – three (3) | — | std |
| 4-Door Intelligent Access (Lock/Unlock) with Push-Button Start | std | std |
Climate4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-Zone Electronic Temperature Control | — | std |
| Cabin Particulate Air Filter | — | std |
| Second Row HVAC Controls | — | opt |
| Single-zone automatic climate control with air filtration | std | — |
Seating8 differ · 10 listed
| Feature | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 10-way Power Driver's Seat | — | std |
| Fabric-trimmed front seats; 6-way manually adjustable driver and front passenger seats with 2-way driver lumbar support | std | — |
| 2-way driver lumbar support | std | — |
| 6-way manually adjustable front passenger seat | std | — |
| 8-Way Power Passenger Seat | — | opt |
| Fabric-trimmed 50/50 split, fold-flat third-row seat | opt | — |
| Second Row Captain's Chairs with E-Z Entry and Armrests | — | std |
| Third Row 50/50 Split-Fold-Flat (Manual) | — | std |
| First Row Heated Seats | std | std |
| Unique Cloth Seating | std | std |
Interior13 differ · 14 listed
| Feature | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Heated Steering Wheel | — | opt |
| 12 cup and bottle holders | std | — |
| 12.3" Color LCD Productivity Screen in Instrument Panel Cluster | — | std |
| Compass | — | std |
| Digital gauge cluster with 7-in. color Multi-Information Display (MID) | std | — |
| Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor® | — | std |
| Leather-trimmed manual tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio and Bluetooth® hands-free phone and voice-command controls | std | — |
| Rotary Gear Shift Dial | — | std |
| Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors (Driver and Front Passenger) | — | std |
| Steering Column – Manual Tilt/Telescoping | — | std |
| Floor Mats – Black Carpet, Front and Second Rows | — | std |
| Overhead Console with Sunglasses Storage | — | std |
| Trip Computer | — | std |
| Day/Night Rearview Mirror – Manually Adjustable | std | std |
Exterior18 differ · 20 listed
| Feature | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Panoramic Vista Roof® with Power Shade | — | opt |
| 17-in. dark-gray painted alloy wheels | std | — |
| Active Grille Shutters | — | std |
| Black door handles | std | — |
| Black roof rails | std | — |
| Easy Fuel® Capless Fuel Filler | — | std |
| Fixed running boards | opt | — |
| LED Fog Lamps with Skid Plate Elements, Front – Silver-Painted | — | opt |
| LED fog lights | std | — |
| LED headlights with Daytime Running Lights (DRL), auto on/off feature and manual leveling adjustment | std | — |
| LED Signature Lighting (Front Fascia) | — | opt |
| LED Taillamps with Amber Turn Signals | — | std |
| Mirrors, Sideview – Power and Heated Glass | — | std |
| Roof-Rack Side Rails | — | std |
| Tire Inflator and Sealant Kit | — | std |
| Privacy Glass – Second Row, Third Row and Liftgate | — | std |
| Rear-Window Defroster and Washer | — | std |
| Body-Color Rear Spoiler | — | std |
| LED Low and High Beam Headlamps with Courtesy Delay | std | std |
| Configurable Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) | std | std |
Powertrain3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligent Four-Wheel Drive | — | opt |
| Terrain Management System™ | — | std |
| Auto Start-Stop Technology | — | std |
Chassis3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) | — | std |
| Front and Rear Stabilizer Bars | — | std |
| Independent Front and Rear Suspension | — | std |
Cargo1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Class III Trailer Tow Package | — | std |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPToyota 4Runner
Safety Signal 94 A
NHTSA overall ★★★★☆
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★☆☆
Recalls 1
Owner complaints 62 · 3 crashes · 2 fires
Most complained about Service Brakes (26), Unspecified (9), Electrical System (8)
Top recalls
- moderate Electrical System 25V595000 · 591,377 vehicles
Ford Explorer
Safety Signal 43 F
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 22 · 1 critical · 2 filed unfixed
Owner complaints 109 · 8 crashes · 1 fires
Most complained about Electrical System (23), Service Brakes (20), Unspecified (19)
Top recalls
- critical Power Train 25V164000 · 269 vehicles
- high Seats 26V451000 · 387,911 vehicles · filed unfixed
- high Engine And Engine Cooling 26V343000 · 1,536 vehicles
- high Seat Belts 26V159000 · 561 vehicles
- high Engine And Engine Cooling 26V122000 · 47,804 vehicles
- high Trailer Hitches 25V687000 · 1,412 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive RWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $40,770 (base trim) | — (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $40,770 – $66,900 16 trims | — 8 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV, GAS | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | 4Runner 4WD | Explorer RWD |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 23 | 24 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,900 | $2,800 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi (make terms) | 3 yr / 36,000 mi (make terms) |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi (make terms) | 5 yr / 60,000 mi (make terms) |
| Roadside assistance | 2 yr | 5 yr |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2025 Toyota 4Runner or the 2025 Ford Explorer?
The Ford Explorer edges it, 92.9 to 87.3, on tech & comfort, fuel & range, performance. The Toyota 4Runner is ahead on safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2025 Ford Explorer scores 92.9 and the 2025 Toyota 4Runner 87.3. 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 (2 filed with no repair available). Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2025 Toyota 4Runner and the 2025 Ford Explorer?
Where the 2025 Ford Explorer wins: it lists 31 standard driver-assist features against 20, lists more comfort and tech equipment (34 points against 21.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), and carries 5 NHTSA overall stars against 4. Where the 2025 Toyota 4Runner answers: it has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 94 against 43) and has drawn fewer owner complaints (62 against 109 filed with NHTSA). What they share: a 3-year basic warranty, 36,000-mile basic coverage, and a 5-year powertrain warranty.