2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid vs 2026 Ford Explorer
Comparison Overview
The battle is set between efficiency mastery and raw power! The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid ignites excitement with its stellar 36 combined MPG, a figure that crushes the 2026 Ford Explorer’s 24 combined MPG, making the Toyota the undisputed champion for the long haul on regular unleaded fuel. While the Highlander is capacious at 201.4 inches long, it yields 245 horsepower. Conversely, the Explorer demands attention with a muscular 300 horsepower—a significant 55 hp advantage—despite being slightly shorter at 198.8 inches and sporting a rear-wheel-drive setup instead of the Toyota’s AWD. This dynamic pits the Highlander’s incredible fuel economy against the Explorer’s superior performance credentials and lower initial cost, highlighted by a $5,880 MSRP gap between the $44,210 Toyota and the $38,330 Ford.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid
The Grand Highlander Hybrid’s superior 36 combined MPG offers substantial daily savings over the Explorer’s 24 combined MPG.
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid
The Grand Highlander provides more usable space with a greater overall length (201.4 inches vs 198.8 inches) and better fuel range.
2026 Ford Explorer
The 2026 Ford Explorer wins enthusiasts over with a dominant 300 horsepower output compared to the Highlander's 245 hp.
2026 Ford Explorer
The Explorer offers 55 more horsepower for a compelling $5,880 lower starting MSRP.
Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid if...
- Fuel economy is paramount, as its 36 combined MPG dramatically outweighs the Explorer’s 24 combined MPG.
- You require the confidence of standard All-Wheel Drive for varied weather conditions.
- You prioritize maximizing passenger or cargo volume, as its larger dimensions allow for 20.6 cu ft of cargo space.
Choose the Ford Explorer if...
- Unrestricted acceleration is your priority, thanks to its superior 300 horsepower engine.
- You want the dynamic handling advantages of a Rear Wheel Drive platform.
- Saving $5,880 upfront is essential, as its $38,330 MSRP is significantly lower than the Toyota’s entry price.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid | Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 201.4" | 198.8" |
| Width | 78.3" | 78.9" |
| Height | 72.1" | 69.9" |
| Wheelbase | 116.1" | 119.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | — |
| 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 Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 2 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | — |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags (with Head Protection Chamber) | — | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | — | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | — | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 2.3 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | hybrid | gas |
| Horsepower | 245 hp @ 6000 rpm | 300 hp @ 5500 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
| Torque | — | 310 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm |
Drive Train
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | rear wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 37/34 MPG | 20/29 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 36 MPG | 24 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 636.4/584.8 mi. | 358.0/519.1 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.2 gal. | 17.9 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.3 in | — |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Android Auto (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 2 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.5 in. | 40.7 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.7 in. | 43.0 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 60.2 in. | 61.8 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 56.5 in. | 59.2 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 4-way |
| Seat Material: Premium Cloth | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.2 in. | 40.5 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.5 in. | 39.0 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 58.8 in. | 61.9 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 57.0 in. | 59.1 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | — |
| Wheel Diameter | 18 in | 18 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 255/65R18 | P255/65R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
| Spare Tire Location | — | Underbody Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | 8 yr./ 100000 mi. | — |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid and 2026 Ford Explorer.
Which vehicle offers a significantly better highway driving range?
The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid will take you significantly further, boasting 34 highway MPG compared to the 2026 Ford Explorer's 29 highway MPG. This 12 MPG difference in city driving (37 MPG vs 20 MPG) also highlights the Toyota’s overall efficiency advantage.
How much more power does the 2026 Ford Explorer have?
The Explorer packs a punch with 300 horsepower, delivering 55 more horsepower than the Grand Highlander Hybrid’s 245 hp. This power is coupled with 310 lb-ft of torque in the Ford, promising quicker sprints.
Is the Toyota or Ford better for moving large items?
The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is the superior choice for cargo capacity, offering 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, which is substantially more than the 16.3 cubic feet provided by the 2026 Ford Explorer.
What are the major mechanical differences between the drivetrains?
The Toyota utilizes an All-Wheel Drive system paired with a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission for efficiency. In contrast, the Ford employs a Rear Wheel Drive setup mated to a more engaging 10-speed automatic transmission.
Why is the Grand Highlander Hybrid more expensive initially?
The Grand Highlander Hybrid carries an MSRP of $44,210, making it $5,880 more than the Explorer’s $38,330 price point. Buyers are paying a premium for the advanced hybrid drivetrain efficiency.
Do both vehicles require premium fuel?
No, both the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid and the 2026 Ford Explorer are designed to operate efficiently using regular unleaded fuel.
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