Head-to-head
2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Toyota Highlander
Too close to call: Toyota Highlander 91.8 vs Ford Explorer 90.6 with these weights. The Ford Explorer is ahead on tech & comfort and performance. Raise the tech & comfort weight from 3 to 4 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
C2025 Toyota Highlander
The 2025 Toyota Highlander is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas large SUV with 5 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Highlander Hybrid …
More Ford Explorer head-to-heads More Toyota Highlander head-to-heads Every Explorer vs Highlander model year
Verdict · default weights
2025 Toyota Highlander
Toss-upToo close to call: Toyota Highlander 91.8 vs Ford Explorer 90.6 with these weights. The Ford Explorer is ahead on tech & comfort and performance. Raise the tech & comfort weight from 3 to 4 and it flips.
Safety 2025 Toyota Highlander leads by 20.8
Tech & comfort 2025 Ford Explorer leads by 20.6
Performance 2025 Ford Explorer leads by 8
| Category · weight | 2025 Toyota Highlanderoverall 91.8 | 2025 Ford Exploreroverall 90.6 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 96.3 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 88.2 | 67.4 | |||||||||||||||
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 | 97.1 | 95.5 | |||||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 92 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 79.4 | 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 | 91.8 | 90.6 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
Toyota 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 4 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 Highlander wins
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (11 against 109 filed with NHTSA).
- It has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 77 against 43).
- It seats 8 against 7.
Where the 2025 Ford Explorer answers
- It lists 31 standard driver-assist features against 23.
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (34 points against 27 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
54 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Toyota HighlanderLE FWD | Ford ExplorerActive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $39,520 | — |
| 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 | 2.3-liter EcoBoost I-4 |
| Fuel injection system | D-4S | gdi mpi |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 16-Valve | DOHC 16-Valve |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 265 hp | 300 hp |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 22 mpg | — |
| MPG (combined) | 25 mpg | — |
| MPG (highway) | 29 mpg | — |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.329 | 3.58 |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | 10 |
| Transmission type | automatic | automatic |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 8 in | 7.6 in |
| Overall height | 68.1 in | 69.6 in |
| Overall length | 195 in | 199 in |
| Overall width | 76 in | 78.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 112 in | 119 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 84.3 cu-ft | 85.8 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 48.4 cu-ft | 46 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 3rd row | 16 cu-ft | 16.3 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | 142 cu-ft | 153 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 8 | 7 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 41.2 in | 40.7 in |
| Second-row headroom | 39.4 in | 40.5 in |
| Third-row headroom | 36.1 in | 38.9 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 42 in | 43 in |
| Second-row legroom | 38.7 in | 39 in |
| Third-row legroom | 28 in | 32.2 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 4,155 lbs | — |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,155 lbs | 4,303 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 5,870 lbs | — |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Independent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar; trailing-wishbone | independent |
| Rear suspension type | Multi-link with stabilizer bar | independent |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Electric Power Steering (EPS); power-assisted rack-and-pinion | Electric Power-Assisted Steering |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 18.7 ft | — |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 338 mm | — |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | epb | electric |
| Rear brake diameter | 338 mm | — |
| Rear brake type | solid disc | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 18 in | 18 in |
| Wheel material | alloy | aluminum |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | P235/65R18 | P255/65R18 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 17.9 gal | 17.9 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | Toyota Safety Connect / Drive Connect / Remote Connect / Service Connect / Wi-Fi Connect | FordPass Connect |
| Connected services trial (premium tier) | 12 months | — |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | 120 months | — |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 59 in | 62.1 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | 58.7 in | 61.9 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | 55 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
134 features · differences first, then sharedSafety26 differ · 40 listed
| Feature | Toyota HighlanderLE FWD | Ford ExplorerActive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+ — Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA) | 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 | — |
| Backup camera with projected path | 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 middle of second- and 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™ 2.5+ — Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Road Sign Assist (RSA) and Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) | std | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go and Lane Centering | std | std |
| Rear Cross-Traffic Braking | std | std |
| Front-seat Side Airbags | std | std |
| Lane-Keeping System (Lane-Keeping Alert, Lane-Keeping Assist, Driver Alert) | std | std |
| Rear View Camera with Backup Assist Grid Lines | std | std |
| Safety Canopy® Side-Curtain Airbags with Rollover Sensor | 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 |
| 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 |
Infotainment16 differ · 17 listed
| Feature | Toyota HighlanderLE FWD | Ford ExplorerActive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Remote Start System | — | opt |
| FordPass Connect™ – Remotely start, lock and unlock vehicle | — | std |
| Audio – Six (6) Speakers | — | std |
| FordPass Connect™ – Locate parked vehicle | — | std |
| 6-speaker audio system | std | — |
| 8.0-in. Toyota Audio Multimedia with wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ compatibility, SiriusXM® with 3-month trial subscription | std | — |
| 911 Assist® | — | std |
| Drive Connect — includes Cloud Navigation with Google Points of Interest (POI) data, Intelligent Assistant with Hey, Toyota, and Destination 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 |
| Remote Connect — remotely interact with your vehicle through the Toyota app via your smartwatch | std | — |
| Safety Connect® — includes Emergency Assistance button, enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification and Stolen Vehicle Locator | 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 |
Convenience9 differ · 10 listed
| Feature | Toyota HighlanderLE FWD | Ford ExplorerActive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Saver | — | std |
| Five USB ports (one USB-A media port and four USB-C charging ports) and two 12V outlets | 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 HighlanderLE FWD | Ford ExplorerActive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin Particulate Air Filter | — | std |
| Second Row HVAC Controls | — | opt |
| Tri-Zone Electronic Temperature Control | std | std |
Seating7 differ · 8 listed
| Feature | Toyota HighlanderLE FWD | Ford ExplorerActive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| First Row Heated Seats | — | std |
| 8-passenger seating with 60/40 split, sliding and reclining fold-flat second-row bench seats; 60/40 split, fold-flat third-row seats with sliding headrests and recline function | std | — |
| 8-Way Power Passenger Seat | — | opt |
| Fabric-trimmed front- and second-row seats; 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat; 4-way manual-adjustable front passenger seat | std | — |
| Second Row Captain's Chairs with E-Z Entry and Armrests | — | std |
| Third Row 50/50 Split-Fold-Flat (Manual) | — | std |
| Unique Cloth Seating | — | std |
| 10-way Power Driver's Seat | std | std |
Interior20 differ · 21 listed
| Feature | Toyota HighlanderLE FWD | Ford ExplorerActive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Heated Steering Wheel | — | opt |
| 12.3" Color LCD Productivity Screen in Instrument Panel Cluster | — | std |
| 14 cup/bottle holders | std | — |
| 7-in. color LCD Multi-Information Display (MID) with odometer, trip/average fuel economy, cruising range, average speed, AWD torque distribution (AWD models only), cruise control guide, audio details, hands-free incoming call notices, telephone information | std | — |
| Black interior door handles | std | — |
| Compass | — | std |
| Digital clock | std | — |
| Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor® | — | std |
| Leather-trimmed shift knob and tilt/telescopic leather-trimmed 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 | — |
| Overhead console with conversation mirror, sunglasses storage and map lights | std | — |
| Rotary Gear Shift Dial | — | std |
| Silver-painted dashboard trim and painted door trim | std | — |
| Soft-touch in-dash split-level shelf | std | — |
| Soft-touch roll-top center console with removable utility tray | std | — |
| Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors (Driver and Front Passenger) | — | std |
| Steering Column – Manual Tilt/Telescoping | — | std |
| Dual sun visors with sliding function and illuminated vanity mirrors | 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 |
Exterior21 differ · 27 listed
| Feature | Toyota HighlanderLE FWD | Ford ExplorerActive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Panoramic Vista Roof® with Power Shade | — | opt |
| 18-in. painted alloy wheels and P235/65R18 tires | std | — |
| Active Grille Shutters | — | std |
| Black-painted front grille with silver-painted surround | std | — |
| Color-keyed heated power outside mirrors with turn signal and blind spot warning indicators, and manual folding feature | std | — |
| Color-keyed side rocker panels and lower molding | std | — |
| Easy Fuel® Capless Fuel Filler | — | std |
| High Solar Energy-Absorbing (HSEA) glass on front side windows | std | — |
| LED Fog Lamps with Skid Plate Elements, Front – Silver-Painted | — | opt |
| LED fog lights | std | — |
| LED Signature Lighting (Front Fascia) | — | opt |
| Mirrors, Sideview – LED Turn Signal Indicators | std | — |
| Rear liftgate windshield washer and backup camera washer | std | — |
| Rear lower bumper in material black | std | — |
| Rear spoiler with LED center high-mount stop light | std | — |
| Roof-Rack Side Rails | — | std |
| Tire Inflator and Sealant Kit | — | std |
| Washer-linked variable intermittent windshield wipers and intermittent rear wiper | 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 |
| Configurable Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) | 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 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 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 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 Highlander
Safety Signal 77 C
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 4
Owner complaints 11 · 2 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Vehicle Speed Control (3), Forward Collision Avoidance (3), Unspecified (2)
Top recalls
- high Seats 26V128000 · 686,588 vehicles
- high Seat Belts 25V872000 · 39 vehicles
- moderate Back Over Prevention 25V744000 · 1,024,407 vehicles
- 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 HighlanderLE FWD | Ford ExplorerActive RWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $39,520 (base trim) | — (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $39,520 – $53,675 13 trims | — 8 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV, GAS | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Highlander | Explorer RWD |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 25 | 24 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,700 | $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 Highlander or the 2025 Ford Explorer?
Too close to call: Toyota Highlander 91.8 vs Ford Explorer 90.6 with these weights. The Ford Explorer is ahead on tech & comfort and performance. Raise the tech & comfort weight from 3 to 4 and it flips. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2025 Toyota Highlander scores 91.8 and the 2025 Ford Explorer 90.6. 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 Highlander or the 2025 Ford Explorer?
2025 Toyota Highlander: 5 NHTSA stars, grade C, 4 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 Highlander and the 2025 Ford Explorer?
Where the 2025 Toyota Highlander wins: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (11 against 109 filed with NHTSA), has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 77 against 43), and seats 8 against 7. Where the 2025 Ford Explorer answers: it lists 31 standard driver-assist features against 23 and lists more comfort and tech equipment (34 points against 27 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½). What they share: 5 NHTSA stars, 310 lb-ft, and a 3-year basic warranty.