Head-to-head
2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander
The Toyota Grand Highlander edges it, 88.1 to 85.8, on fuel & range, safety, space & cargo. The Ford Explorer is ahead on tech & comfort and performance. Raise the tech & comfort weight from 3 to 3.9 and it flips.
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
B2025 Toyota Grand Highlander
The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas large SUV with 7 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Grand Highla…
More Ford Explorer head-to-heads More Toyota Grand Highlander head-to-heads Every Explorer vs Grand Highlander model year
Verdict · default weights
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander
Slight edgeThe Toyota Grand Highlander edges it, 88.1 to 85.8, on fuel & range, safety, space & cargo. The Ford Explorer is ahead on tech & comfort and performance. Raise the tech & comfort weight from 3 to 3.9 and it flips.
Tech & comfort 2025 Ford Explorer leads by 44.1
Fuel & range 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander leads by 33.7
Safety 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander leads by 14.5
| Category · weight | 2025 Toyota Grand Highlanderoverall 88.1 | 2025 Ford Exploreroverall 85.8 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 66.3 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 89.9 | 75.4 | |||||||||||||||
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 | 100 | 86.1 | |||||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 91.3 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 55.9 | 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 | 88.1 | 85.8 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
Toyota Grand Highlander: base trim LE FWD · Ford Explorer: base trim Active RWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Raise the tech & comfort weight from 3 to 3.9 and the answer flips.
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 Toyota Grand Highlander wins
- It has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 87 against 43).
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (81 against 109 filed with NHTSA).
- It costs $950 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,850 against $2,800).
Where the 2025 Ford Explorer answers
- It lists 31 standard driver-assist features against 18.
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (34 points against 19 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
What they share
- 5 NHTSA stars.
- 310 lb-ft.
- A 3-year basic 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
52 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Ford ExplorerActive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $40,860 | — |
| 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 Turbo | 2.3-liter EcoBoost I-4 |
| Fuel injection system | D-4S | gdi mpi |
| Valve configuration | 16-valve DVVT-i | DOHC 16-Valve |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 265 hp | 300 hp |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 21 mpg | — |
| MPG (combined) | 24 mpg | — |
| MPG (highway) | 28 mpg | — |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.329 | 3.58 |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | 10 |
| Transmission type | Direct Shift 8AT | automatic |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 8 in | 7.6 in |
| Overall height | 70.1 in | 69.6 in |
| Overall length | 201 in | 199 in |
| Overall width | 78.3 in | 78.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 116 in | 119 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 97.5 cu-ft | 85.8 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 57.9 cu-ft | 46 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 3rd row | 20.6 cu-ft | 16.3 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | 153 cu-ft | 153 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 8 | 7 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 41.5 in | 40.7 in |
| Second-row headroom | 40.2 in | 40.5 in |
| Third-row headroom | 37.2 in | 38.9 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 41.7 in | 43 in |
| Second-row legroom | 39.5 in | 39 in |
| Third-row legroom | 33.5 in | 32.2 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 4,290 lbs | — |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,290 lbs | 4,303 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 6,040 lbs | — |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Independent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar | independent |
| Rear suspension type | Multi-link with stabilizer bar | independent |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Electric Power Steering (EPS) | Electric Power-Assisted Steering |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 19 ft | — |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 340 mm | — |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | epb | electric |
| Rear brake diameter | 339 mm | — |
| Rear brake type | ventilated disc | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 18 in | 18 in |
| Wheel material | Aluminum | aluminum |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | — | P255/65R18 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 17.8 gal | 17.9 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | — | FordPass Connect |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 60.2 in | 62.1 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | 58.8 in | 61.9 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | 57.5 in | 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
123 features · differences first, then sharedSafety29 differ · 39 listed
| Feature | Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Ford ExplorerActive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go and Lane Centering | — | std |
| Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection | — | std |
| Pre-Collision Assist – Forward Collision Warning | — | std |
| Driver and Passenger Dual-Stage Front Airbags | — | std |
| Evasive Steering Assist | — | 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 |
| Trailer Sway Control | — | std |
| 3-point seatbelts for all seating positions; driver's-side Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) and Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR) on all passenger seatbelts | std | — |
| Adjustable front seatbelt shoulder anchors and driver and front passenger seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters | std | — |
| Auto High-Beam Headlamps | — | std |
| Backup camera with dynamic gridlines | std | — |
| Child-protector rear door locks and power window lockout control | std | — |
| Curve Control | — | std |
| Driver and front passenger seatbelt warning | 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 |
| LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) includes lower anchors and tethers on outboard second-row seats and tether anchor on third-row seats | std | — |
| Perimeter Alarm | — | std |
| Post-Collision Braking | — | std |
| Rear-passenger seatbelt reminder | std | — |
| Safety Canopy® Rollover Sensor | — | std |
| Side-Wind Stabilization | — | std |
| SOS Post-Crash Alert System™ | — | std |
| Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0) — Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Road Sign Assist (RSA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), Proactive Driving Assist (PDA) | std | — |
| Rear Cross-Traffic Braking | std | std |
| Front-seat Side Airbags | std | std |
| Safety Canopy® Side-Curtain Airbags with Rollover Sensor | std | std |
| AdvanceTrac™ with RSC® (Roll Stability Control™) and ESC | std | std |
| BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-Traffic Alert and Trailer Coverage | std | std |
| Driver Knee Airbag | std | std |
| Four-Wheel Disc Brakes with Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) | std | std |
| Hill Start Assist | std | std |
| Individual Tire Pressure Monitoring System (ITPMS) | std | std |
| SecuriLock® Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) | std | std |
Infotainment14 differ · 14 listed
| Feature | Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Ford ExplorerActive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Remote Start System | — | opt |
| 5G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot (connects up to 10 devices) | — | std |
| FordPass Connect™ – Remotely start, lock and unlock vehicle | — | std |
| Audio – Six (6) Speakers | — | std |
| FordPass Connect™ – Locate parked vehicle | — | std |
| Seven USB-C ports (one media port and six charging ports) and two 12V outlets | std | — |
| 12.3-in. Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ compatibility, SiriusXM® with 3-month trial subscription | std | — |
| 6-speaker audio system | 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 |
| 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 |
Convenience8 differ · 9 listed
| Feature | Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Ford ExplorerActive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Saver | — | std |
| Height-adjustable power liftgate with jam protection | std | — |
| Power door locks with shift-linked automatic lock/unlock feature | std | — |
| Power Liftgate | — | std |
| Power windows with auto up/down in all positions and jam protection | 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 |
Climate2 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Ford ExplorerActive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin Particulate Air Filter | — | std |
| Second Row HVAC Controls | — | opt |
| Tri-Zone Electronic Temperature Control | std | std |
Seating5 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Ford ExplorerActive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| First Row Heated Seats | — | std |
| 8-passenger seating with 60/40 split, sliding and reclining fold-down second-row bench seats; 60/40 split, fold-down third-row seats with sliding headrests and recline function | std | — |
| 8-Way Power Passenger Seat | — | opt |
| Second Row Captain's Chairs with E-Z Entry and Armrests | — | std |
| Third Row 50/50 Split-Fold-Flat (Manual) | — | std |
| 10-way Power Driver's Seat | std | std |
| Unique Cloth Seating | std | std |
Interior15 differ · 17 listed
| Feature | Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Ford ExplorerActive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Heated Steering Wheel | — | opt |
| 12.3" Color LCD Productivity Screen in Instrument Panel Cluster | — | std |
| 13 cup and bottle holders | std | — |
| Combination meter with analog gauges and 7-in. color Multi-Information Display (MID) with fuel economy, Driver Assist, vehicle/trip information, and warning messages | std | — |
| Compass | — | std |
| Dual sun visors with sliding function and illuminated vanity mirrors | std | — |
| Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor® | — | std |
| Rotary Gear Shift Dial | — | std |
| Silver-painted dashboard trim and matte gray metallic door trim | std | — |
| Soft-touch roll-top center console with removable utility tray | std | — |
| Tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio, Multi-Information Display (MID), Bluetooth® hands-free phone, voice command, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Lane Steering Assist (LSA) and multimedia information controls | 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 |
| Trip Computer | — | std |
| Day/Night Rearview Mirror – Manually Adjustable | std | std |
| Overhead Console with Sunglasses Storage | std | std |
Exterior21 differ · 26 listed
| Feature | Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Ford ExplorerActive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Panoramic Vista Roof® with Power Shade | — | opt |
| 18-in. 5-spoke silver wheels | std | — |
| Acoustic noise-reducing front windshield and front side windows | std | — |
| Active Grille Shutters | — | std |
| Black front lower bumper | std | — |
| Black rear lower bumper | std | — |
| Black-painted front grille | std | — |
| Color-keyed outside door handles | std | — |
| Configurable Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) | — | std |
| Daytime Running Lights (DRL) with on/off feature | std | — |
| Easy Fuel® Capless Fuel Filler | — | std |
| LED Fog Lamps with Skid Plate Elements, Front – Silver-Painted | — | opt |
| LED Signature Lighting (Front Fascia) | — | opt |
| Rear liftgate windshield washer and backup camera washer | std | — |
| Rear spoiler with LED center high-mount stop light | std | — |
| Roof-Rack Side Rails | — | std |
| Silver-painted roof rails | std | — |
| Tire Inflator and Sealant Kit | — | std |
| Windshield wiper de-icer | std | — |
| Body-Color Rear Spoiler | — | std |
| Spare Tire/Wheel Temporary | std | — |
| LED Low and High Beam Headlamps with Courtesy Delay | std | std |
| LED Taillamps with Amber Turn Signals | std | std |
| Mirrors, Sideview – Power and Heated Glass | std | std |
| Privacy Glass – Second Row, Third Row and Liftgate | std | std |
| Rear-Window Defroster and Washer | std | std |
Powertrain4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Ford ExplorerActive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligent Four-Wheel Drive | — | opt |
| Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) | std | — |
| Terrain Management System™ | — | std |
| Auto Start-Stop Technology | — | std |
Chassis3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | 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 Grand HighlanderLE FWD | 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 Grand Highlander
Safety Signal 87 B
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 3
Owner complaints 81 · 0 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Unspecified (22), Power Train (18), Engine (16)
Top recalls
- moderate Back Over Prevention 25V744000 · 1,024,407 vehicles
- moderate Electrical System 25V595000 · 591,377 vehicles
- minor Equipment 26V179000 · 8,230 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 Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Ford ExplorerActive RWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $40,860 (base trim) | — (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $40,860 – $58,775 14 trims | — 8 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV, GAS | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Grand Highlander Hybrid | Explorer RWD |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 36 | 24 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $1,850 | $2,800 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi (make terms) |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi | 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 Grand Highlander or the 2025 Ford Explorer?
The Toyota Grand Highlander edges it, 88.1 to 85.8, on fuel & range, safety, space & cargo. The Ford Explorer is ahead on tech & comfort and performance. Raise the tech & comfort weight from 3 to 3.9 and it flips. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander scores 88.1 and the 2025 Ford Explorer 85.8. 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 Grand Highlander or the 2025 Ford Explorer?
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander: 5 NHTSA stars, grade B, 3 recalls. 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 Grand Highlander and the 2025 Ford Explorer?
Where the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander wins: it has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 87 against 43), has drawn fewer owner complaints (81 against 109 filed with NHTSA), and costs $950 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,850 against $2,800). Where the 2025 Ford Explorer answers: it lists 31 standard driver-assist features against 18 and lists more comfort and tech equipment (34 points against 19 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½). What they share: 5 NHTSA stars, 310 lb-ft, and a 3-year basic warranty.