2025 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
Comparison Overview
Stuck between choosing the familiar muscle of the 2025 Ford Explorer and the spacious practicality of the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander? That’s a tough call in the large crossover segment. The Explorer immediately pulls ahead in power, boasting 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque from its base engine, which is a notable 35 hp advantage over the Grand Highlander's 265 hp. Both vehicles achieve the same 24 MPG combined, but the Explorer offers a slight advantage in highway efficiency at 29 MPG versus the Toyota's 28 MPG, both running on regular unleaded fuel. However, the Grand Highlander counters with sheer size, offering superior utility thanks to its 20.6 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Explorer's 18.2 cu ft. Priced closely, the Explorer starts at $40,050 while the Toyota is $41,360, meaning budget-conscious buyers might lean toward the slightly cheaper Ford, despite the Toyota's extra length of 201.4 inches.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Ford Explorer
The 2025 Ford Explorer offers superior highway efficiency at 29 MPG compared to the Grand Highlander's 28 MPG.
2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander wins on practicality by providing more maximum cargo capacity at 20.6 cu ft versus 18.2 cu ft.
2025 Ford Explorer
The Explorer provides significantly more power with 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque than the Grand Highlander's 265 hp.
2025 Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer is the better immediate value, starting at a lower MSRP of $40,050.
Choose the Ford Explorer if...
- You prioritize spirited driving and prefer the extra power from the 300 hp engine.
- You are focused on the lowest possible entry price point, starting at $40,050.
- Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) architecture is preferred over the Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) setup of the competitor.
Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander if...
- Maximizing available storage is crucial, thanks to its 20.6 cu ft of cargo space.
- You prefer a slightly longer vehicle footprint at 201.4 inches for cabin room.
- You value the efficiency gains in stop-and-go traffic, netting 21 MPG in the city versus the Explorer's 20 MPG.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Ford Explorer | Toyota Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 198.8" | 201.4" |
| Width | 78.9" | 78.3" |
| Height | 69.9" | 70.1" |
| Wheelbase | 119.1" | 116.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Ford | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | — |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags (with Head Protection Chamber) | ✓ | — |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | — |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | — |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 2 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Ford | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.3 L | 2.4 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 300 hp @ 5500 rpm | 265 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm | 310 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Ford | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 10-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | rear wheel drive | front wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Ford | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 20/29 MPG | 21/28 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 24 MPG | 24 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 358.0/519.1 mi. | 373.8/498.4 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.9 gal. | 17.8 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Ford | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | — |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | ✓ | — |
| Three Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Ford | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
| Infotainment Display | — | 12.3 in |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Ford | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 2 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Ford | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.7 in. | 41.5 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 43.0 in. | 41.7 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 61.8 in. | 60.2 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 59.2 in. | 56.5 in. |
| Seat Material: Premium Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 4-way |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Ford | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.5 in. | 40.2 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.0 in. | 39.5 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 61.9 in. | 58.8 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 59.1 in. | 57.0 in. |
| Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | ✓ |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Ford | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Diameter | 18 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P255/65R18 | 255/65R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Material | — | Alloy |
| Wheel Size | — | 18 x 7.5 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Ford | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Ford | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Ford Explorer and 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander.
Which vehicle is quicker in acceleration?
The 2025 Ford Explorer is expected to be quicker due to its significant power advantage, delivering 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, which is 35 more horsepower than the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander's 265 hp.
How do the fuel economy ratings compare for city driving?
The Grand Highlander has a slight edge in city driving, achieving 21 MPG in the city compared to the Explorer's 20 MPG rating, although both share the same 24 MPG combined score.
Is there a meaningful difference in size between these two large crossovers?
Yes, the Toyota Grand Highlander is slightly larger overall, measuring 201.4 inches in length compared to the Explorer's 198.8 inches, which translates directly into more interior utility.
Are both vehicles capable of using the same type of gasoline?
Fortunately, yes; both the 2025 Ford Explorer and the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel, which helps keep running costs predictable.
What is the cost difference between the base models?
The 2025 Ford Explorer has a lower starting MSRP at $40,050, making it about $1,310 cheaper than the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander, which starts at $41,360.
Which one has more transmission gears?
The Ford Explorer features a 10-speed automatic transmission, which provides an extra two steps compared to the Grand Highlander's 8-speed automatic transmission.
More Mid-Range SUVs ($30k-$50k)
View allVehicle Details
Compare More Vehicles
Use our interactive comparison tool to compare up to 4 vehicles at once
Open Comparison Tool