Head-to-head
2026 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Toyota 4Runner
The Ford Explorer wins clearly, 90.7 to 82.9, on tech & comfort, fuel & range. The Toyota 4Runner is ahead on safety.
F
2026 Ford Explorer
The 2026 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
A2026 Toyota 4Runner
The 2026 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 Hybrid 4WD, i…
More Ford Explorer head-to-heads More Toyota 4Runner head-to-heads Every Explorer vs 4Runner model year
Verdict · default weights
2026 Ford Explorer
Clear winThe Ford Explorer wins clearly, 90.7 to 82.9, on tech & comfort, fuel & range. The Toyota 4Runner is ahead on safety.
Tech & comfort 2026 Ford Explorer leads by 42.1
Safety 2026 Toyota 4Runner leads by 10.9
Fuel & range 2026 Ford Explorer leads by 3.7
| Category · weight | 2026 Toyota 4Runneroverall 82.9 | 2026 Ford Exploreroverall 90.7 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 83.1 | 72.2 | |||||||||||||||
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 & cargonot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Performancenot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 57.9 | 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 | 82.9 | 90.7 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 4 of 7 categories compared
Toyota 4Runner: base trim SR5 2WD · Ford Explorer: base trim Active Base 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 2026 Ford Explorer wins
- It lists 33 standard driver-assist features against 14.
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (28.5 points against 16.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It carries 5 NHTSA overall stars against 4.
Where the 2026 Toyota 4Runner answers
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (8 against 44 filed with NHTSA).
- It has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 94 against 53).
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
51 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $41,370 | — |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | twin turbo | twin turbo |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 2,393 cc | — |
| Engine type (full description) | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder Turbocharged DOHC D-4ST | 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 with Auto Start-Stop |
| Fuel injection system | D-4ST | — |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 16-Valve | — |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 278 hp | — |
| Torque | 317 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 hybrid |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 8.1 in | — |
| Overall height | 72.6 in | — |
| Overall length | 195 in | — |
| Overall width | 77.9 in | — |
| Wheelbase | 112 in | — |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 90.2 cu-ft | — |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 48.4 cu-ft | — |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | — |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 39.7 in | — |
| Second-row headroom | 37.8 in | — |
| Third-row headroom | 35.3 in | — |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 41.8 in | — |
| Second-row legroom | 34.8 in | — |
| Third-row legroom | 31.8 in | — |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 4,455 lbs | — |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,455 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 (EPAS) |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 19.7 ft | — |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 340 mm | — |
| Front brake type | rotor | — |
| Parking brake type | epb | Electric Parking Brake with Auto Hold |
| Rear brake diameter | 335 mm | — |
| Rear brake type | rotor | — |
| 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 | — |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | Toyota | Ford Connectivity Package |
| Connected services trial (premium tier) | 12 months | 84 months |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | 120 months | 12 months |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 58 in | — |
| Second-row shoulder room | 57.8 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
107 features · differences first, then sharedSafety33 differ · 40 listed
| Feature | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go and Lane Centering | — | std |
| Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) – Pedestrian Detection | — | std |
| Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) – Forward Collision Warning | — | std |
| Rear Cross Traffic Braking | — | std |
| Evasive Steering Assist | — | std |
| Integrated backup camera display with projected path | std | — |
| Lane-Keeping System – Lane-Keeping Alert / Driver Alert | — | std |
| Lane-Keeping System – Lane-Keeping Assist | — | std |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | std |
| Trailer Sway Control | — | std |
| AdvanceTrac™ with RSC® (Roll Stability Control™) | — | std |
| Auto High-Beam Headlamps | — | 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+ (base ADAS suite) | — | std |
| Four-Wheel Disc Brakes with Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), Electric Brake Boost and ESC | — | std |
| Front Cross-Traffic Alert (FCTA) | std | — |
| Intersection Assist | — | std |
| LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether Anchors for Children) on Second and Third Row Outboard Seating Positions | — | 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 |
| Personal Safety System™ (driver and front passenger – dual-stage front airbags, belt pretensioners, energy-management retractors, belt usage sensors, driver seat position sensor, crash severity sensor, restraint control module, Front-Passenger Sensing System) | — | std |
| Post-Collision Braking | — | std |
| Rear View Camera with Backup Assist Grid Lines | — | std |
| Safety Canopy® Side-Curtain with Rollover Sensor | — | std |
| Side-Wind Stabilization | — | std |
| SOS Post-Crash Alert System™ | — | std |
| Speed Sign Recognition | — | 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 |
| Airbags – All Rows: Safety Canopy® Side-Curtain with Rollover Sensor | std | std |
| Airbags – First Row: Driver and Passenger Dual-Stage Front | std | std |
| Airbags – First Row: Front-seat Side | std | std |
| Airbags – First Row: Driver Knee | std | std |
| BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-Traffic Alert, Exit Warning and Trailer Coverage | std | std |
| Hill Start Assist | std | std |
| Individual Tire Pressure Monitoring System (ITPMS) | std | std |
Infotainment14 differ · 15 listed
| Feature | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Ford App – Remotely lock and unlock vehicle | — | std |
| 8-in. Audio Multimedia Display with 8-speaker audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ compatibility, SiriusXM® 3-month trial. | std | — |
| Ford App – Locate parked vehicle | — | std |
| Leather-trimmed manual tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio and Bluetooth® hands-free phone and voice-command controls | std | — |
| 5G Modem | — | std |
| 911 Assist® | — | std |
| Audio – AM/FM Stereo, MP3 Capable, Six (6) Speakers, Speed-Compensated Volume, SiriusXM® with 360L | — | std |
| Ford Connectivity Package (1-year Included) | — | std |
| Ford Connectivity Package (One-time purchase – 7 years) (91D) | — | opt |
| Ford Digital Experience – 13.2" Color LCD Touchscreen in IP Center-Stack with Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ Wireless Compatibility | — | std |
| Ford Power-Up Software Update Capability | — | std |
| SiriusXM with 360L (3-year plan) (94B) | — | opt |
| Steering Wheel with Mounted Features – Audio Controls | — | std |
| USB Ports, First Row and Second Row (Ford Digital Experience standard); Third Row USB included on 200A+ | — | std |
| Unlimited Wi-Fi Hotspot (via Ford Connectivity Package) | std | std |
Convenience4 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Power door locks with shift-linked automatic lock/unlock feature | std | — |
| Power rear liftgate window with auto up/down and jam protection | std | — |
| Manual Liftgate | — | std |
| Powerpoints (12V) – three (3) | — | std |
| 4-Door Intelligent Access (Lock/Unlock) with Push-Button Start | std | std |
Climate2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-Zone Electronic Temperature Control | — | std |
| Cabin Particulate Air Filter | — | std |
Seating7 differ · 8 listed
| Feature | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 6-way manually adjustable driver and front passenger seats | std | — |
| 6-way manually adjustable driver and front passenger seats | std | — |
| Fabric-trimmed 50/50 split, fold-flat third-row seat | opt | — |
| Fabric-trimmed front seats; 6-way manually adjustable driver and front passenger seats with 2-way driver lumbar support | std | — |
| Fabric-trimmed heated front seats; 6-way manually adjustable driver and front passenger seats with 2-way driver lumbar support | std | — |
| Seats – Second Row 35/30/35 Bench with E-Z Entry and Armrests (17U) | — | opt |
| Second Row Captain's Chairs with E-Z Entry and Armrests | — | std |
| Unique Cloth Seating | std | std |
Interior10 differ · 12 listed
| Feature | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 12 cup and bottle holders | std | — |
| Compass | — | std |
| Digital gauge cluster with 7-in. color Multi-Information Display (MID) | std | — |
| Instrument Panel Cluster – 12.3" Color LCD Productivity Screen | — | std |
| Rotary Gear Shift Dial | — | std |
| Steering Wheel – Vinyl Wrapped / Leather-Wrapped | std | — |
| Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors (Driver and Front Passenger) | — | 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 |
| Steering Column – Manual Tilt/Telescoping | std | std |
Exterior17 differ · 17 listed
| Feature | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 17-in. dark-gray painted alloy wheels | std | — |
| 18" Spare Wheel and Jack Kit (76U) | — | opt |
| Active Grille Shutters | — | std |
| Black door handles | std | — |
| Black roof rails | std | — |
| Configurable Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) | — | std |
| Easy Fuel® Capless Fuel Filler | — | std |
| Fixed running boards | opt | — |
| LED fog lights | std | — |
| LED headlights with Daytime Running Lights (DRL), auto on/off feature and manual leveling adjustment | std | — |
| LED Low and High Beam Headlamps with Courtesy Delay / Wiper-Activated | — | std |
| LED Taillamps | — | std |
| Mirrors, Sideview – Heated Glass | — | std |
| Tire Inflator and Sealant Kit | — | std |
| Privacy Glass – Second Row, Third Row and Liftgate | — | std |
| Rear-Window Defroster and Washer | — | std |
| Rear Spoiler – Body-Color | — | std |
Powertrain6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Saver | — | std |
| Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) | — | std |
| Engine – 2.3L EcoBoost® I-4 with Auto Start-Stop | — | std |
| Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor® | — | std |
| Selectable Drive Modes | — | std |
| Transmission – 10-Speed Automatic | — | std |
Chassis1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Independent Front and Rear Suspension | — | std |
Cargo1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive Base 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 2
Owner complaints 8 · 0 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Power Train (3), Unspecified (3), Electrical System (3)
Top recalls
- minor Equipment 26V571000 · 135 vehicles
- minor Equipment 26V282000 · 94 vehicles
Ford Explorer
Safety Signal 53 F
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 15 · 3 filed unfixed
Owner complaints 44 · 3 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Electrical System (11), Unspecified (11), Visibility/Wiper (7)
Top recalls
- high Air Bags 26V581000 · 7 vehicles
- high Engine And Engine Cooling 26V548000 · 10,001 vehicles · filed unfixed
- high Engine And Engine Cooling 26V532000 · 6 vehicles
- high Seats 26V451000 · 387,911 vehicles · filed unfixed
- high Engine And Engine Cooling 26V343000 · 1,536 vehicles
- high Engine And Engine Cooling 26V205000 · 278 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $41,370 (base trim) | — (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $41,370 – $68,200 16 trims | — 12 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV, GAS | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | 4Runner Hybrid 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 2026 Toyota 4Runner or the 2026 Ford Explorer?
The Ford Explorer wins clearly, 90.7 to 82.9, on tech & comfort, fuel & range. The Toyota 4Runner is ahead on safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Ford Explorer scores 90.7 and the 2026 Toyota 4Runner 82.9. 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 2026 Toyota 4Runner or the 2026 Ford Explorer?
2026 Toyota 4Runner: 4 NHTSA stars, grade A, 2 recalls. 2026 Ford Explorer: 5 NHTSA stars, grade F, 15 recalls (3 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 2026 Toyota 4Runner and the 2026 Ford Explorer?
Where the 2026 Ford Explorer wins: it lists 33 standard driver-assist features against 14, lists more comfort and tech equipment (28.5 points against 16.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), and carries 5 NHTSA overall stars against 4. Where the 2026 Toyota 4Runner answers: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (8 against 44 filed with NHTSA) and has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 94 against 53). What they share: a 3-year basic warranty, 36,000-mile basic coverage, and a 5-year powertrain warranty.