Ford Explorer vs Toyota Highlander (2026)

Price gap, MSRP + destination

$7,105

Scored measures. Each is scaled to the larger value. Bold: the winner.

Explorer Active RWD vs Highlander XLE AWD
Measure	Explorer	Highlander	Winner
MSRP + destination	$40,260	$47,365	Explorer
Horsepower	300 hp	265 hp	Explorer
Torque	199 lb-ft	310 lb-ft	Highlander
MPG combined	24 mpg	24 mpg	About the same
Cargo, max	85.3 cu ft	84.3 cu ft	Explorer
Cargo, seats up	46.0 cu ft	16.0 cu ft	Explorer
Rear legroom	38.3 in	38.7 in	About the same
Front legroom	43.0 in	42.0 in	Explorer
Length	198.7 in	194.9 in	Not scored
Width	78.7 in	76.0 in	Not scored
Curb weight	4,360 lb	4,376 lb	Not scored
Towing	5,000 lb	5,000 lb	About the same
Seats	6 to 7	7	N/A
Ground clearance	7.8 in	8.0 in	About the same
0-60 mph	6.5 s estimate	6.6 s estimate	About the same
Basic warranty	3 yr / 36,000 mi	3 yr / 36,000 mi	About 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
Trim	Nearest in price	Gap
Explorer Active RWD $38,465	Highlander XLE AWD $46,270	$7,805
Highlander XLE AWD $46,270	Explorer ST-Line 4WD $47,155	$885

Explorer Hybrid Police Interceptor Utility AWD vs Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD
Measure	Explorer	Highlander	Winner
MSRP + destination	$50,345	$49,115	Highlander
Cargo, seats up	46.0 cu ft	16.0 cu ft	Explorer
Rear legroom	38.3 in	38.7 in	About the same
Front legroom	42.9 in	42.0 in	Explorer
Ground clearance	7.8 in	8.0 in	About the same
Basic warranty	3 yr / 36,000 mi	3 yr / 36,000 mi	About the same

Explorer wins 2 of 6 measures.

Miles a yearGas, $ per gallonElectricity, cents per kWhYears

Explorer costs $7,105 less over 6 years.

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

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

Price 5MPG 5Power 5Space 5Towing 5

Equal weights: Explorer wins.

No single weight change flips the winner.

Your price and mpg will differ.

Reliability and safety are not included.