Head-to-head
2026 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Toyota Sequoia
The Toyota Sequoia wins clearly, 94.9 to 83.4, on safety, tech & comfort. The Ford Explorer is ahead on fuel & range.
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 Sequoia
The 2026 Toyota Sequoia is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid large SUV with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Sequoia 2WD, is EPA-rated at …
More Ford Explorer head-to-heads More Toyota Sequoia head-to-heads Every Explorer vs Sequoia model year
Verdict · default weights
2026 Toyota Sequoia
Clear winThe Toyota Sequoia wins clearly, 94.9 to 83.4, on safety, tech & comfort. The Ford Explorer is ahead on fuel & range.
Safety 2026 Toyota Sequoia leads by 34.6
Fuel & range 2026 Ford Explorer leads by 8.2
Tech & comfort 2026 Toyota Sequoia leads by 8.1
| Category · weight | 2026 Toyota Sequoiaoverall 94.9 | 2026 Ford Exploreroverall 83.4 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 91.8 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 90.9 | 56.3 | |||||||||||||||
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 | 91.9 | |||||||||||||||
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 | 94.9 | 83.4 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 4 of 7 categories compared
Toyota Sequoia: 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 Toyota Sequoia wins
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (10 against 44 filed with NHTSA).
- It has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 100 against 53).
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (31 points against 28.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
Where the 2026 Ford Explorer answers
- It lists 33 standard driver-assist features against 18.
- It is rated 24 combined against 22 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
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 SequoiaSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $64,825 | — |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | twin turbo | twin turbo |
| Cylinder count | 6 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 3,445 cc | — |
| Engine type (full description) | i-FORCE MAX 3.4-liter aluminum block V6 Hybrid, twin-turbochargers with water cooled intercoolers; 24-valve DOHC chain drive with Dual VVT-i | 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 with Auto Start-Stop |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | — |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 24-Valve | — |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 437 hp | — |
| Torque | 583 lb-ft | — |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 21 mpg | — |
| MPG (combined) | 22 mpg | — |
| MPG (highway) | 24 mpg | — |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.31 | 3.58 |
| Transmission speeds | 10 | 10 |
| Transmission type | automatic | automatic hybrid |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 8.6 in | — |
| Overall height | 74.5 in | — |
| Overall length | 208 in | — |
| Overall width | 79.6 in | — |
| Wheelbase | 122 in | — |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 86.9 cu-ft | — |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 49 cu-ft | — |
| Cargo volume behind 3rd row | 22.3 cu-ft | — |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 8 | — |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 39.2 in | — |
| Second-row headroom | 38.4 in | — |
| Third-row headroom | 35.6 in | — |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 41.2 in | — |
| Second-row legroom | 39.2 in | — |
| Third-row legroom | 28.1 in | — |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 5,620 lbs | — |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 5,620 lbs | — |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 7,350 lbs | — |
| Payload capacity | 1,730 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) | 20.1 ft | — |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 353 mm | — |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | — |
| Parking brake type | epb | Electric Parking Brake with Auto Hold |
| Rear brake diameter | 345 mm | — |
| Rear brake type | ventilated disc | — |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 18 in | 18 in |
| Wheel material | forged alloy | Aluminum |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | P265/70R18 | P255/65R18 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 22.5 gal | 17.9 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | — |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | Safety Connect / Service Connect / Wi-Fi Connect | Ford Connectivity Package |
| Connected services trial (premium tier) | — | 84 months |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | 120 months | 12 months |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 65 in | — |
| Second-row shoulder room | 61.8 in | — |
| Third-row shoulder room | 62.6 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
150 features · differences first, then sharedSafety33 differ · 42 listed
| Feature | Toyota SequoiaSR5 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 |
| 360-Degree Camera (with Split View) | std | — |
| Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) – Forward Collision Warning | — | std |
| Airbags – First Row: Driver and Passenger Dual-Stage Front | — | std |
| Backup camera with projected path | std | — |
| Evasive Steering Assist | — | 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 |
| Auto High-Beam Headlamps | — | std |
| Child-protector rear door locks (and power window lockout control) | std | — |
| Curve Control | — | std |
| Drive-Start Control (DSC) | std | — |
| Driver and front (active) passenger headrests | std | — |
| Electric Parking Brake with Auto Hold | — | std |
| Ford Co-Pilot360™ Assist+ (base ADAS suite) | — | std |
| Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking | 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 all outboard second-row rear 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 |
| Star Safety System™ — includes Traction Control [(TRAC)] | std | — |
| Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5 (TSS 2.5): Pre-Collision System w/Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert w/Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), Road Sign Assist (RSA) | std | — |
| SecuriLock® Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) | — | std |
| Rear Cross Traffic Braking | std | std |
| Airbags – All Rows: Safety Canopy® Side-Curtain with Rollover Sensor | std | std |
| Airbags – First Row: Front-seat Side | std | std |
| AdvanceTrac™ with RSC® (Roll Stability Control™) | 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 |
| 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 |
Infotainment15 differ · 16 listed
| Feature | Toyota SequoiaSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Ford App – Remotely lock and unlock vehicle | — | std |
| Ford App – Locate parked vehicle | — | std |
| 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia — 14-in. touchscreen with 8 speakers, wireless Android Auto™ & Apple CarPlay® compatible, SiriusXM® with 3-month Platinum Plan trial subscription | opt | — |
| 5G Modem | — | std |
| 8-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia — 8-in. touchscreen with 8 speakers, wireless Android Auto™ & Apple CarPlay® compatible, SiriusXM® with 3-month Platinum Plan trial subscription | 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 |
| Safety Connect® — includes Emergency Assistance, Stolen Vehicle Locator, Roadside Assistance and Automatic Collision Notification | 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 |
Convenience7 differ · 8 listed
| Feature | Toyota SequoiaSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 400W/120V rear-seat and cargo area AC power outlet | opt | — |
| Electronic locking fuel door | std | — |
| Front 12V auxiliary power outlet | std | — |
| Power windows with one-touch auto up/down and jam protection | std | — |
| SR5 Premium Package – includes 14-in. Audio Multimedia, SofTex®-trimmed seats, power folding third row, hands-free power liftgate, 400W/120V rear-cabin and cargo-area AC power supply | opt | — |
| Manual Liftgate | — | std |
| Powerpoints (12V) – three (3) | — | std |
| 4-Door Intelligent Access (Lock/Unlock) with Push-Button Start | std | std |
Climate2 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Toyota SequoiaSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin Particulate Air Filter | — | std |
| Rear-seat air vents | std | — |
| Tri-Zone Electronic Temperature Control | std | std |
Seating11 differ · 12 listed
| Feature | Toyota SequoiaSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 10-way Power Driver's Seat | std | — |
| First Row Heated Seats | std | — |
| 8-way power-adjustable driver's and front passenger seats with 2-way power-adjustable lumbar support | std | — |
| 60/40 split, reclining, fold-down, fold-up, tumble forward second-row seats with center armrests on outboard seats; adjustable headrests with one-touch access to third row | std | — |
| 8-Way Power Passenger Seat | std | — |
| 8-way power-adjustable driver's and front passenger seats with 2-way power-adjustable lumbar support | std | — |
| Power fabric 60/40 split, sliding, reclining, fold-down third-row seating with adjustable headrests | 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 60/40 split, sliding power reclining fold-down third-row seats with adjustable headrests | opt | — |
| SofTex®-trimmed seats; 8-way power-adjustable driver's and front passenger seats with 2-way power-adjustable lumbar support | opt | — |
| Unique Cloth Seating | std | std |
Interior23 differ · 23 listed
| Feature | Toyota SequoiaSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Heated Steering Wheel | opt | — |
| 12.3-in. digital meter with selectable gauge display screens and fuel economy, Driver Assist, vehicle/trip information, and warning message | std | — |
| Aluminum sport pedals | opt | — |
| Compass | — | std |
| Digital display auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass and HomeLink® universal transceiver | opt | — |
| Fixed center console with gated shift lever, driving controls, four cup holders, and center storage bin | std | — |
| Front and rear assist grips | std | — |
| Front and rear LED maplights | std | — |
| Instrument Panel Cluster – 12.3" Color LCD Productivity Screen | — | std |
| Leather shift knob | std | — |
| Leather-trimmed manual tilt/telescopic steering wheel with phone, audio, display/infotainment, and Driver Assist controls | std | — |
| Overhead console with rear window control, sunglasses storage and Safety Connect® | std | — |
| Red TRD engine start button | opt | — |
| Rotary Gear Shift Dial | — | std |
| Soft-touch instrument panel, center console and door surfaces | std | — |
| Thin-bezel auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink® universal transceiver | std | — |
| TRD leather shift knob | opt | — |
| Day/Night Rearview Mirror – Manually Adjustable | — | 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 |
Exterior35 differ · 36 listed
| Feature | Toyota SequoiaSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Power tilt/slide moonroof with sliding sunshade | std | — |
| Mirrors, Sideview – Power-Folding with Autofold | std | — |
| "i-FORCE MAX" hood badge | std | — |
| "SEQUOIA" rear door badge | std | — |
| 18-in. styled-alloy wheels | std | — |
| 18" Spare Wheel and Jack Kit (76U) | — | opt |
| Acoustic laminated windshield | std | — |
| Active Grille Shutters | — | std |
| Black horizontal-bar grille with chrome surround | std | — |
| Black roof-mounted shark-fin antenna | std | — |
| Black, heated, power auto-dimming outside tow mirrors with turn signal and blind spot warning indicators (bsm), and power-folding and power-extend features | opt | — |
| Chrome "SEQUOIA" badge and "SR5" door badge, and gray-painted overfenders | std | — |
| Color-keyed door handles, satin black outside mirror caps and roof rails | std | — |
| Configurable Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) | — | std |
| Easy Fuel® Capless Fuel Filler | — | std |
| Flip-up rear window with defogger and privacy glass | std | — |
| Front door handles with touch-sensor lock/unlock feature | std | — |
| Gloss black painted pillars | std | — |
| Heated power auto-dimming outside mirrors with turn signal and blind spot warning indicators (BSM) and power-folding and reverse tilt-down features | std | — |
| LED fog lights | std | — |
| LED headlights with Daytime Running Lights (DRL) | 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 |
| LED taillights | std | — |
| LED Trailer Reverse Assist (TRA) light | opt | — |
| Mirrors, Sideview – LED Turn Signal Indicators | std | — |
| Power extending tow mirrors with convex spotter and work light | opt | — |
| Single exhaust tip | std | — |
| Tire Inflator and Sealant Kit | — | std |
| Washer-linked variable intermittent windshield wipers | std | — |
| Privacy Glass – Second Row, Third Row and Liftgate | — | std |
| Rear-Window Defroster and Washer | — | std |
| Front and rear mudguards | std | — |
| Rear Spoiler – Body-Color | — | std |
| Mirrors, Sideview – Heated Glass | std | std |
Powertrain5 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Toyota SequoiaSR5 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 |
| Transmission – 10-Speed Automatic | — | std |
| Selectable Drive Modes | std | std |
Chassis1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Toyota SequoiaSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Independent Front and Rear Suspension | — | std |
Cargo2 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Toyota SequoiaSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-level adjustable cargo shelf system | std | — |
| Tow Technology Package – Digital display rearview mirror, Trailer Backup Guide with Straight Path Assist (SPA) | opt | — |
| Class III Trailer Tow Package | std | std |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPToyota Sequoia
Safety Signal 100 A
NHTSA overall —
Frontal / side / rollover — / — / —
Recalls 0
Owner complaints 10 · 0 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Steering (3), Unspecified (2), Seats (2)
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 SequoiaSR5 2WD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $64,825 (base trim) | — (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $64,825 – $85,235 8 trims | — 12 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Sequoia 2WD | Explorer RWD |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 22 | 24 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $3,050 | $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 Sequoia or the 2026 Ford Explorer?
The Toyota Sequoia wins clearly, 94.9 to 83.4, on safety, tech & comfort. The Ford Explorer is ahead on fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Toyota Sequoia scores 94.9 and the 2026 Ford Explorer 83.4. 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 Sequoia or the 2026 Ford Explorer?
2026 Toyota Sequoia: no NHTSA rating yet, 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 Sequoia and the 2026 Ford Explorer?
Where the 2026 Toyota Sequoia wins: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (10 against 44 filed with NHTSA), has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 100 against 53), and lists more comfort and tech equipment (31 points against 28.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½). Where the 2026 Ford Explorer answers: it lists 33 standard driver-assist features against 18 and is rated 24 combined against 22 (EPA mpg or MPGe). What they share: a 3-year basic warranty, 36,000-mile basic coverage, and a 5-year powertrain warranty.