Compare the2025 Ford ExplorerVS 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

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

Safety

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The Ford Explorer has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Explorer 4WD’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Explorer has standard Cross Traffic Alert with Cross Traffic Braking, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Only the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum offers Parking Support Brake.

Both the Explorer and the Highlander Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, 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 Highlander Hybrid:

	Explorer	Highlander Hybrid
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	125	292
Neck Injury Risk	26.3%	38.2%
Neck Stress	167 lbs.	347 lbs.
Neck Compression	26 lbs.	55 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	230/210 lbs.	321/243 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	318	328
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.6 inches
Leg Forces (l/r)	380/405 lbs.	545/323 lbs.

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

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Explorer is much safer than the Highlander Hybrid:

	Explorer	Highlander Hybrid
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	45/45 pounds	270/315 pounds
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	45/45 pounds	270/315 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL

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 Highlander Hybrid:

	Explorer	Highlander Hybrid
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	224 lbs.	300 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	86	114
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	15 inches
HIC	288	366
Spine Acceleration	39 G’s	41 G’s
Hip Force	573 lbs.	664 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 is 1.3% to 2.2% less likely to roll over than the Highlander Hybrid.

The Ford Explorer has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Highlander Hybrid is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

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 Highlander Hybrid 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 rated the Explorer second among midsize suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The Highlander Hybrid isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated lower.

Engine

The Explorer’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 57 more horsepower (300 vs. 243) than the Highlander Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The Explorer’s optional 3.0 turbo V6 produces 157 more horsepower (400 vs. 243) than the Highlander Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Explorer is faster than the Toyota Highlander Hybrid:

	Explorer turbo 4 cyl.	Explorer turbo V6	Highlander Hybrid
Zero to 60 MPH	6.2 sec	5.3 sec	8.4 sec
Quarter Mile	14.8 sec	13.9 sec	16.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90 MPH	99.9 MPH	85.6 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

Both the Explorer and Highlander Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The Explorer has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Explorer V6 Turbo’s standard fuel tank has 3.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Highlander Hybrid (20.2 vs. 17.1 gallons).

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 Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Explorer’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Highlander Hybrid:

	Explorer	Explorer ST	Highlander Hybrid
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	14.3 inches	13.3 inches
Rear Rotors	12.4 inches	13.8 inches	13.3 inches

The Explorer stops much shorter than the Highlander Hybrid:

	Explorer	Highlander Hybrid
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	123 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	139 feet	153 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Explorer has larger standard tires than the Highlander Hybrid (255/65R18 vs. 235/65R18). The Explorer’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Highlander Hybrid (275/45R21 vs. 235/65R18).

The Explorer’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Explorer offers optional 21-inch wheels. The Highlander Hybrid’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

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 Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

Suspension and Handling

The Explorer has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

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 Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Explorer’s wheelbase is 6.9 inches longer than on the Highlander Hybrid (119.1 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Explorer is 1.6 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than on the Highlander Hybrid.

The Explorer’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the Highlander Hybrid’s (53% to 47%). This gives the Explorer more stable handling and braking.

The Explorer ST 4WD handles at .85 G’s, while the Highlander Hybrid Platinum AWD pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Explorer ST 4WD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2 seconds quicker than the Highlander Hybrid Platinum AWD (26.4 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Explorer Platinum has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Highlander Hybrid (8.2 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Explorer to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The Explorer has 11.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Highlander Hybrid (152.9 vs. 141.8).

The Explorer has 1 inch more front legroom, 2 inches more front hip room, 2.8 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, .3 inches more rear legroom, 2.1 inches more rear hip room, 3.2 inches more rear shoulder room, 2.8 inches more third row headroom and 4.2 inches more third row legroom than the Highlander Hybrid.

Cargo Capacity

The Explorer’s cargo area provides more volume than the Highlander Hybrid.

	Explorer	Highlander Hybrid
Behind Third Seat	16.3 cubic feet	16 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	85.8 cubic feet	84.3 cubic feet

The Explorer’s cargo area is larger than the Highlander Hybrid’s in every dimension:

	Explorer	Highlander Hybrid
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	20.8”/49.8”/84.1”	17.8”/48”/80.7”
Min Width	48.1”	45.8”
Height	33.7”	31”

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

Pressing a button automatically lowers or raises the Explorer’s (except Active) optional third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The Explorer’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Highlander Hybrid’s (5000 vs. 3500 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Explorer is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Highlander Hybrid. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The Explorer (except Active)’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 Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Explorer’s standard Intelligent Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Key System standard on the Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

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 Highlander Hybrid’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 Highlander Hybrid offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Explorer (except Active) offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Highlander Hybrid.

Recommendations

The Ford Explorer outsold the Toyota Highlander by 10% during 2023.

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