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Ford Explorer vs Toyota Grand Highlander (2026)

Price gap, MSRP + destination

$3,095

Car 1

Car 2

ExplorerGrand HighlanderMSRP + destination$40,260$43,355Horsepower300 hp265 hpTorque199 lb-ft310 lb-ftMPG combined24 mpg24 mpgCargo, max85.3 cu ft97.5 cu ftCargo, seats up46.0 cu ft20.6 cu ftRear legroom38.3 in39.5 inFront legroom43.0 in41.7 inTowing5,000 lb5,000 lbGround clearance7.8 in8.0 in0-60 mph6.5 s7.3 s
Scored measures. Each is scaled to the larger value. Bold: the winner.
Explorer Active RWD vs Grand Highlander LE FWD
MeasureExplorerGrand HighlanderWinner
MSRP + destination$40,260$43,355Explorer
Horsepower300 hp265 hpExplorer
Torque199 lb-ft310 lb-ftGrand Highlander
MPG combined24 mpg24 mpgAbout the same
Cargo, max85.3 cu ft97.5 cu ftGrand Highlander
Cargo, seats up46.0 cu ft20.6 cu ftExplorer
Rear legroom38.3 in39.5 inGrand Highlander
Front legroom43.0 in41.7 inExplorer
Length198.7 in201.4 inNot scored
Width78.7 in78.3 inNot scored
Curb weight4,360 lb4,440 lbNot scored
Towing5,000 lb5,000 lbAbout the same
Seats6 to 78N/A
Ground clearance7.8 in8.0 inAbout the same
0-60 mph6.5 s estimate7.3 s estimateExplorer
Basic warranty3 yr / 36,000 mi3 yr / 36,000 miAbout the same

Not scored: length, width, curb weight. N/A rows are not counted.

Nearest trims by price

Each trim and the rival trim nearest in MSRP
TrimNearest in priceGap
Explorer Active RWD
$38,465		Grand Highlander LE FWD
$42,260		$3,795
Grand Highlander LE FWD
$42,260		Explorer Active (200A) 4WD
$42,585		$325

Hybrid vs hybrid

Explorer Hybrid Police Interceptor Utility AWD vs Grand Highlander Hybrid LE AWD
MeasureExplorerGrand HighlanderWinner
MSRP + destination$50,345$46,705Grand Highlander
Cargo, seats up46.0 cu ft20.6 cu ftExplorer
Rear legroom38.3 in39.5 inGrand Highlander
Front legroom42.9 in41.7 inExplorer
Ground clearance7.8 in8.0 inAbout the same
Basic warranty3 yr / 36,000 mi3 yr / 36,000 miAbout the same

Each wins 2 of 6 measures.

Cost to run

Explorer costs $3,095 less over 6 years.

12,000 miles a year. Gas $3.20. Electricity 17 cents per kWh.

Price plus fuel or charging over 6 years
CostExplorerGrand Highlander
MSRP + destination$40,260$43,355
Fuel or charging, 1 year$1,600$1,600
Fuel or charging, 6 years$9,600$9,600
Total, 6 years$49,860$52,955

Which is better for me?

Weight each group from 0 to 10. MPG uses fuel or charging cost.

Equal weights: Explorer wins.

Grand Highlander wins if Power weight is 2 or less.

Who is ahead in each group
GroupAheadBy
PriceExplorer7%
MPGAbout the same
PowerExplorer12%
SpaceGrand Highlander13%
TowingAbout the same

Other years

What this cannot tell you

Your price and mpg will differ.

Reliability and safety are not included.

How values are checked