Toyota Highlander vs. Ford Explorer Review

Performance
The Ford Explorer is likely to feel slightly slow because of its high horsepower-to-weight ratio compared to the Highlander.

Handling
The Ford and the Toyota have about comparable tires. With their similar turning radii, the Ford Explorer and the Toyota quite certainly handle roughly the same into and out of tight spots.

Drivetrain
The Ford Explorer has a more sizeable engine than the Toyota Highlander. Remember that smaller engines typically get better gas mileage, but smaller engines can be stressed more. Torque equals pickup, and the Ford Explorer will have picked up and gone by the time the Toyota Highlander finally gets moving.

Utility
There's no obvious winner between the Ford Explorer and the Toyota Highlander when it comes to transporting cargo. Drivers with frequent child-duty might favor the Ford over the Toyota Highlander. There's no clear winner between the Toyota Highlander and the Ford Explorer when it comes to transporting cargo. Towing is substantially more the Ford Explorer's forte than it is the Toyota Highlander's.

Convenience
The Explorer's fuel tank will need to be replenished a tad more often than the unit in the Highlander.

Comfort
While the front cabin in the Toyota offers a bit more head room than the Ford, there honestly isn't much of a difference. While the rear of the Toyota offers a bit more head- and leg-room than the Ford, there frankly isn't much of a difference.

Dimensions
The Ford Explorer is quite a bit heavier than the Toyota Highlander. Your wallet will hurt more every time you fill up the Explorer than the Toyota because of its larger tank. The Ford Explorer rides lower than the Highlander, which is a good thing for its center of gravity and ease of access. The Toyota Highlander and the Explorer compete for the same parking spaces.

Cost
The destination charge is a standard charge for transporting the vehicle from its point of origin to the dealer. It costs roughly the same to get the Toyota Highlander to the dealership as the Ford Explorer. With respect to fuel economy, the Toyota Highlander has the Ford Explorer beat. The Explorer will tax your gas budget considerably more than the Toyota Highlander will. As far as MSRP, the Toyota Highlander doesn't cost much less than the Ford Explorer. The Toyota Highlander is markedly less expensive than the Ford Explorer as far as purchase price. The Ford Explorer will cost you a bunch of money in gasoline every year compared to the Toyota.

Overview
The Toyota and the Ford Explorer have the same basic after-sale protection.

Other
The Toyota produces fewer smog-forming pollutants per 15,000 miles than the Ford Explorer.