Head-to-head
2026 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander wins clearly, 97.4 to 81.1, on fuel & range, safety, tech & comfort.
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 Highlander
The 2026 Toyota Highlander is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas large SUV with 3 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
2026 Toyota Highlander
Clear winThe Toyota Highlander wins clearly, 97.4 to 81.1, on fuel & range, safety, tech & comfort.
Fuel & range 2026 Toyota Highlander leads by 31.9
Safety 2026 Toyota Highlander leads by 21.1
Tech & comfort 2026 Toyota Highlander leads by 5
| Category · weight | 2026 Toyota Highlanderoverall 97.4 | 2026 Ford Exploreroverall 81.1 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 68.1 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 92.1 | 71 | |||||||||||||||
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 | 100 | 95 | |||||||||||||||
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 | 97.4 | 81.1 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 4 of 7 categories compared
Toyota Highlander: base trim XLE AWD · 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 Toyota Highlander wins
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (4 against 44 filed with NHTSA).
- It has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 100 against 53).
- It costs $900 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,900 against $2,800).
Where the 2026 Ford Explorer answers
- It lists 33 standard driver-assist features against 12.
What they share
- 5 NHTSA stars.
- A 3-year basic warranty.
- 36,000-mile basic coverage.
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 HighlanderXLE AWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $45,570 | — |
| 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 | 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 with Auto Start-Stop |
| Fuel injection system | D-4S | — |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 16-Valve | — |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 265 hp | — |
| Torque | 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 | automatic | automatic hybrid |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 8 in | — |
| Overall height | 68.1 in | — |
| Overall length | 195 in | — |
| Overall width | 76 in | — |
| Wheelbase | 112 in | — |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 84.3 cu-ft | — |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 48.4 cu-ft | — |
| Cargo volume behind 3rd row | 16 cu-ft | — |
| Total interior volume | 142 cu-ft | — |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 7 | — |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 41.2 in | — |
| Second-row headroom | 39.4 in | — |
| Third-row headroom | 36.1 in | — |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 42 in | — |
| Second-row legroom | 38.7 in | — |
| Third-row legroom | 28 in | — |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 4,376 lbs | — |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,376 lbs | — |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 5,970 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 (EPAS) |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 18.7 ft | — |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 338 mm | — |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | — |
| Parking brake type | epb | Electric Parking Brake with Auto Hold |
| Rear brake diameter | 338 mm | — |
| Rear brake type | 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 | — |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | Toyota Connected Services | Ford Connectivity Package |
| Connected services trial (premium tier) | 12 months | 84 months |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | 60 months | 12 months |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 59 in | — |
| Second-row shoulder room | 58.7 in | — |
| Third-row shoulder room | 55 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
125 features · differences first, then sharedSafety29 differ · 37 listed
| Feature | Toyota HighlanderXLE AWD | 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 |
| Airbags – All Rows: Safety Canopy® Side-Curtain with Rollover Sensor | — | std |
| Airbags – First Row: Driver and Passenger Dual-Stage Front | — | std |
| Airbags – First Row: Front-seat Side | — | std |
| Evasive Steering Assist | — | std |
| Lane-Keeping System – Lane-Keeping Alert / Driver Alert | — | std |
| Lane-Keeping System – Lane-Keeping Assist | — | std |
| Hill Descent Control | std | — |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | std |
| Airbags – First Row: Driver Knee | — | std |
| Auto High-Beam Headlamps | — | std |
| Backup camera with projected path | std | — |
| Curve Control | — | std |
| Electric Parking Brake with Auto Hold | — | std |
| Ford Co-Pilot360™ Assist+ (base ADAS suite) | — | std |
| Intersection Assist | — | std |
| LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether Anchors for Children) on Second and Third Row Outboard Seating Positions | — | 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™ 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 | — |
| Traction Control (TRAC) | std | — |
| Rear Cross Traffic Braking | std | std |
| Trailer Sway Control | std | std |
| AdvanceTrac™ with RSC® (Roll Stability Control™) | std | std |
| BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-Traffic Alert, Exit Warning and Trailer Coverage | std | std |
| Four-Wheel Disc Brakes with Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), Electric Brake Boost and ESC | std | std |
| Hill Start Assist | std | std |
| Individual Tire Pressure Monitoring System (ITPMS) | std | std |
| SecuriLock® Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) | std | std |
Infotainment20 differ · 23 listed
| Feature | Toyota HighlanderXLE AWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Assistance Button (SOS) | std | — |
| Ford App – Remotely lock and unlock vehicle | — | std |
| Stolen Vehicle Locator | std | — |
| Safety Connect® — includes Emergency Assistance button, enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification and Stolen Vehicle Locator | std | — |
| 12.3-in. Toyota Audio Multimedia with wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ compatibility, USB media port, four USB charge ports, hands-free phone capability and music streaming via Bluetooth® wireless technology, SiriusXM® with 3-month trial subscription | opt | — |
| 5G Modem | — | 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 |
| Audio – AM/FM Stereo, MP3 Capable, Six (6) Speakers, Speed-Compensated Volume, SiriusXM® with 360L | — | std |
| Drive Connect — includes Cloud Navigation with Google Points of Interest (POI) data, Intelligent Assistant with Hey, Toyota, and Destination Assist | std | — |
| Five USB ports (one USB-A media port and four USB-C charging ports) and two 12V outlets | 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 |
| Service Connect — receive personalized maintenance updates and vehicle health reports | 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 |
| Wireless charging (via Active Comfort Package / premium trims) | std | — |
| Unlimited Wi-Fi Hotspot (via Ford Connectivity Package) | std | std |
| Ford App – Locate parked vehicle | std | std |
| Ford Power-Up Software Update Capability | std | std |
Convenience5 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Toyota HighlanderXLE AWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Power Liftgate | std | — |
| Power windows with auto up/down in all positions and jam protection | std | — |
| Manual Liftgate | — | std |
| Powerpoints (12V) – three (3) | — | std |
| Two 12V outlets | std | — |
| 4-Door Intelligent Access (Lock/Unlock) with Push-Button Start | std | std |
Climate1 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Toyota HighlanderXLE AWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin Particulate Air Filter | — | std |
| Tri-Zone Electronic Temperature Control | std | std |
Seating10 differ · 10 listed
| Feature | Toyota HighlanderXLE AWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 10-way Power Driver's Seat | std | — |
| First Row Heated Seats | std | — |
| 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat including power lumbar support | std | — |
| 7-passenger seating with second-row fold-down captain's chairs and fold-down inboard armrests, adjustable headrests and two cup holders mounted on the floor; and 60/40 split, fold-flat third-row seats with sliding headrests and recline function | 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 | opt | — |
| 8-Way Power Passenger Seat | 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 |
| SofTex®-trimmed front- and second-row seats; heated front seats; 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat including power lumbar support; 8-way power-adjustable front passenger seat | std | — |
| Unique Cloth Seating | — | std |
Interior13 differ · 14 listed
| Feature | Toyota HighlanderXLE AWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror (Interior) | 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 | — |
| Compass | — | std |
| Instrument Panel Cluster – 12.3" Color LCD Productivity Screen | — | std |
| Rotary Gear Shift Dial | — | std |
| Second-row sunshades | std | — |
| Silver-painted dashboard trim and painted door trim | std | — |
| Day/Night Rearview Mirror – Manually Adjustable | — | 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 |
| Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors (Driver and Front Passenger) | std | std |
Exterior21 differ · 24 listed
| Feature | Toyota HighlanderXLE AWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Power tilt/slide moonroof with sunshade and one-touch open/close | std | — |
| LED projector headlights | std | — |
| 18" Spare Wheel and Jack Kit (76U) | — | opt |
| Active Grille Shutters | — | std |
| Configurable Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) | — | std |
| Easy Fuel® Capless Fuel Filler | — | std |
| High Solar Energy-Absorbing (HSEA) glass on front side windows | std | — |
| LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) | std | — |
| LED fog lights | std | — |
| LED Low and High Beam Headlamps with Courtesy Delay / Wiper-Activated | — | std |
| LED Taillamps | — | std |
| LED taillights | std | — |
| Mirrors, Sideview – LED Turn Signal Indicators | std | — |
| Rear liftgate windshield washer and backup camera washer | std | — |
| Rear spoiler with LED center high-mount stop light | std | — |
| Silver-painted roof rails | std | — |
| Tire Inflator and Sealant Kit | — | std |
| Windshield wiper de-icer | std | — |
| Front and rear mudguards | std | — |
| Rear Spoiler – Body-Color | — | std |
| Temporary spare tire/wheel | std | — |
| Mirrors, Sideview – Heated Glass | std | std |
| Privacy Glass – Second Row, Third Row and Liftgate | std | std |
| Rear-Window Defroster and Washer | std | std |
Powertrain7 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Toyota HighlanderXLE AWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| All-Wheel Drive | std | — |
| 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 HighlanderXLE AWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Independent Front and Rear Suspension | — | std |
Cargo1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Toyota HighlanderXLE AWD | 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 Highlander
Safety Signal 100 A
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 0
Owner complaints 4 · 0 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Back Over Prevention (1), Visibility/Wiper (1), Power Train (1)
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
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 HighlanderXLE AWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $45,570 (base trim) | — (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $45,570 – $54,975 7 trims | — 12 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV, GAS | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Highlander Hybrid AWD | Explorer RWD |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 35 | 24 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $1,900 | $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 2026 Toyota Highlander or the 2026 Ford Explorer?
The Toyota Highlander wins clearly, 97.4 to 81.1, on fuel & range, safety, tech & comfort. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Toyota Highlander scores 97.4 and the 2026 Ford Explorer 81.1. 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 Highlander or the 2026 Ford Explorer?
2026 Toyota Highlander: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 0 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 Highlander and the 2026 Ford Explorer?
Where the 2026 Toyota Highlander wins: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (4 against 44 filed with NHTSA), has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 100 against 53), and costs $900 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,900 against $2,800). Where the 2026 Ford Explorer answers: it lists 33 standard driver-assist features against 12. What they share: 5 NHTSA stars, a 3-year basic warranty, and 36,000-mile basic coverage.