Compare the2023 Ford ExplorerVS 2023 Toyota 4Runner

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Ford Explorer have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Toyota 4Runner doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The Explorer has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Explorer (except Base/XLT/Limited/Timberline) offers an optional Reverse Brake Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The 4Runner doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Explorer and 4Runner have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Explorer offers optional Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The 4Runner’s Rear Cross-Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Explorer uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The 4Runner uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Explorer and the 4Runner have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Explorer is safer than the Toyota 4Runner:

	Explorer	4Runner
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	125	267
Neck Injury Risk	26.3%	47%
Neck Stress	167 lbs.	438 lbs.
Neck Compression	26 lbs.	54 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	230/210 lbs.	488/468 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	318	367
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	29.2%	57%
Neck Stress	187 lbs.	271 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	380/405 lbs.	453/353 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Ford Explorer is safer than the 4Runner:

	Explorer	4Runner
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Head injury index	97	142
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Steering Column Movement Rearward	0 cm	12 cm
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Femur Force R/L	1.9/1.8 kN	3.9/2.4 kN
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	0%/0%	1%/0%
Lower Leg Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Tibia index R/L	.6/.64	.95/.85

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford Explorer is safer than the Toyota 4Runner:

	Explorer	4Runner
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	161 lbs.	179 lbs.
Hip Force	224 lbs.	233 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	86	89
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	20 inches
HIC	288	507
Spine Acceleration	39 G’s	43 G’s
Hip Force	573 lbs.	895 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Explorer, with its four-star roll-over rating, is 9.5% to 9.9% less likely to roll over than the 4Runner, which received a three-star rating.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Explorer the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 55 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The 4Runner is not a “Top Safety Pick.”

Warranty

There are over 2 times as many Ford dealers as there are Toyota dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Explorer’s warranty.

Reliability

The Explorer has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in initial quality. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated lower.

Engine

The Explorer’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 30 more horsepower (300 vs. 270) and 32 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 278) than the 4Runner’s 4.0 DOHC V6. The Explorer’s optional 3.3 DOHC V6 hybrid produces 48 more horsepower (318 vs. 270) and 44 lbs.-ft. more torque (322 vs. 278) than the 4Runner’s 4.0 DOHC V6. The Explorer’s optional 3.0 turbo V6 produces 130 more horsepower (400 vs. 270) and 137 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 278) than the 4Runner’s 4.0 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Ford Explorer turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Toyota 4Runner:

	Explorer	4Runner
Zero to 60 MPH	6.2 sec	7.8 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	17.8 sec	22 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	7.2 sec	7.8 sec
Quarter Mile	14.9 sec	16.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93 MPH	88 MPH
Top Speed	125 MPH	105 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Explorer gets better mileage than the 4Runner:

			MPG
Explorer
	RWD	3.3 V6 Hybrid	27 city/28 hwy
		Platinum 3.3 V6 Hybrid	25 city/26 hwy
		2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/28 hwy
		3.0 turbo V6	18 city/25 hwy
	AWD	3.3 V6 Hybrid	23 city/26 hwy
		2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/27 hwy
		Platinum 3.3 V6 Hybrid	23 city/24 hwy
		3.0 turbo V6	18 city/24 hwy
		Timberline 2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/22 hwy
		3.0 turbo V6	17 city/24 hwy
		Timberline 2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/21 hwy
4Runner
	RWD	4.0 DOHC V6	16 city/19 hwy
	AWD	4.0 DOHC V6	16 city/19 hwy

The Explorer can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 3 miles. The 4Runner can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Explorer Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Explorer’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The 4Runner doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Explorer has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Explorer Hybrid has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver The fuel filler door is not lockable on the 4Runner. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Ford Explorer, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a five-speed automatic is available for the 4Runner.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Explorer’s brake rotors are larger than those on the 4Runner:

	Explorer	Explorer ST	4Runner
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	14.3 inches	13.3 inches
Rear Rotors	12.4 inches	13.8 inches	12.3 inches

The Explorer stops much shorter than the 4Runner:

	Explorer	4Runner
70 to 0 MPH	161 feet	201 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	138 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	139 feet	145 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Explorer has larger standard tires than the 4Runner (255/65R18 vs. 245/60R20). The Explorer’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 4Runner (275/45R21 vs. 265/70R17).

The Explorer’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 65 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 4Runner’s standard 70 series tires. The Explorer’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the 4Runner Limited/TRD Sport’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Explorer has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the 4Runner. The Explorer’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the 4Runner Limited/TRD Sport.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the Explorer can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The 4Runner doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Ford Explorer has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Toyota 4Runner has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The Explorer’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The 4Runner doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Explorer’s wheelbase is 9.3 inches longer than on the 4Runner (119.1 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Explorer is 3.3 inches wider in the front and 3.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the 4Runner.

The Explorer’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the 4Runner’s (53.6% to 46.4%). This gives the Explorer more stable handling and braking.

The Explorer ST 4WD handles at .86 G’s, while the 4Runner TRD Off-Road pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Explorer ST 4WD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.1 seconds quicker than the 4Runner TRD Off-Road (26.4 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 29.5 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

Chassis

Unibody construction lowers the Explorer’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The 4Runner doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

The front grille of the Explorer uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The 4Runner doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Explorer Hybrid uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The 4Runner doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Explorer XLT 4WD is quieter than the 4Runner TRD Off-Road:

	Explorer	4Runner
At idle	40 dB	43 dB
Full-Throttle	73 dB	76 dB
70 MPH Cruising	66 dB	69 dB

Passenger Space

The Explorer has 24.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 4Runner (152.7 vs. 128).

The Explorer has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more front legroom, 2.7 inches more front hip room, 4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.9 inches more rear headroom, 6.1 inches more rear legroom, 3.4 inches more rear hip room, 4.1 inches more rear shoulder room, 4.6 inches more third row headroom and 2.9 inches more third row legroom than the 4Runner.

Cargo Capacity

The Explorer’s cargo area provides more volume than the 4Runner.

	Explorer	4Runner
Behind Third Seat	18.2 cubic feet	9 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	47.9 cubic feet	46.3 cubic feet

The Explorer’s cargo area is larger than the 4Runner’s in almost every dimension:

	Explorer	4Runner
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	20.8”/49.8”/83.9”	n.a./42”/66.3”
Max Width	59”	57.7”
Min Width	48.1”	42.4”
Height	33.7”	39.5”

The Explorer has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The 4Runner doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

Pressing a button automatically lowers or raises the Explorer’s (except Base/XLT/ST-Line) optional third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The 4Runner doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Explorer has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or optionally by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the Toyota 4Runner is limited to 5000 pounds. The Explorer offers up to a 5600 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Explorer uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The 4Runner doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

An Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor is standard on the Explorer to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes, based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Toyota doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the 4Runner.

Ergonomics

The Explorer (except Base) offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Explorer (except Base/XLT)’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The 4Runner doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Explorer’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The 4Runner’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The power windows standard on both the Explorer and the 4Runner have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Explorer is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The 4Runner prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Explorer’s available exterior PIN entry system. The 4Runner doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Explorer’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The 4Runner’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted. The Explorer’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Explorer has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the 4Runner only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Explorer has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. When the ignition turns off, the headlights turn off after a delay timed to allow you to securely get to your front door. The 4Runner has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the Limited/TRD Pro.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Explorer Platinum has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The 4Runner doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Explorer to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The 4Runner doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Explorer’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The 4Runner’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

The Explorer’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The 4Runner offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Explorer and the 4Runner offer available heated front seats. The Explorer also offers optional heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren’t available in the 4Runner.

On extremely cold winter days, the Explorer’s optional (except Base) heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Explorer ST/King Ranch/Platinum offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the 4Runner.

The Explorer has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the 4Runner Limited/TRD Pro.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Ford Explorer (except Base) offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The 4Runner doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Explorer ST/Platinum’s optional Active Park Assist 2.0 can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The 4Runner doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Explorer is less expensive to operate than the 4Runner because typical repairs cost much less on the Explorer than the 4Runner, including $125 less for a water pump, $376 less for a starter, $170 less for fuel injection, $144 less for a fuel pump and $827 less for a timing belt/chain.

Recommendations

The Ford Explorer outsold the Toyota 4Runner by 72% during 2022.

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