Ford Explorer vs Toyota Highlander
2025 Ford Explorer® vs. Toyota Highlander | Specs, Size, & Interior
Are you searching for an accommodating three-row SUV? You may be interested in either the 2025 Ford Explorer® or 2025 Toyota Highlander. Both are sophisticated SUVs with plenty of space for both cargo and passengers. Each has a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, access to advanced tech systems, and cabins designed to keep the whole crew comfortable. To learn more, check out this 2025 Ford Explorer vs. Toyota Highlander comparison put together by the team at Spirit Ford.
If you decide the Ford Explorer is worth a closer look, be sure to also take a look at our review and trims comparison for a more comprehensive look at the various features available.
Ready to see the new Ford Explorer in person? Head over to our inventory, have a look through our current selection, and consider our finance and lease offers. Before making the trip to our Ford dealership in Dundee, MI, use our online form to schedule a test drive so we can better anticipate your arrival. Have questions for our team? Give us a call at (734) 529-5521 or contact us online.
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2025 Ford Explorer
2025 Ford Explorer® vs. Toyota Highlander Engines & Specs
The 2025 Ford Explorer and 2025 Toyota Highlander each offer two energetic engines throughout their lineups, each with distinct capabilities. Of the two SUVs, the Explorer has the most powerful performance — the standard 2.3L EcoBoost® turbo inline four-cylinder (I4) engine offers up to 300 horsepower, while the available 3.0L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 boasts 400 horsepower. Meanwhile, the Highlander produces up to 265 horsepower with its standard 2.4L turbo four-cylinder engine. If you’re seeking impressive fuel economy, the Highlander also offers a 2.5L hybrid four-cylinder engine that produces up to 35 highway MPG.
Available engine specs are shown in the accompanying tables for your research benefit.
2025 Ford Explorer
| Engine | 2.3L EcoBoost turbo I4 | 3.0L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 300 HP | 400 HP |
| Torque | 310 lb.-ft. | 415 lb.-ft. |
| MPG (City/Hwy) | 20 / 29 | 18 / 25 |
| Towing Capacity | 5,000 lbs. | |
| Drivetrain | RWD / 4WD | RWD / 4WD |
| Transmission | Ten-speed automatic transmission | |
2025 Toyota Highlander
| Engine | 2.4L turbo four-cylinder | 2.5L hybrid four-cylinder |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 265 HP | 243 net HP |
| Torque | 310 lb.-ft. | 175 lb.-ft. |
| MPG (City/Hwy) | 22 / 29 | 35 / 35 |
| Towing Capacity | 5,000 lbs. | 3,500 lbs. |
| Drivetrain | FWD / AWD | AWD |
| Transmission | Direct-shift eight-speed automatic | Electronically controlled continuously variable |
2025 Ford Explorer
2025 Ford Explorer® vs. Toyota Highlander Exterior Design
The 2025 Ford Explorer and 2025 Toyota Highlander are designed to be approachable family SUVs with clean lines and classic silhouettes. The distinctive wheels available with each range in size from 18 to 21 inches on the Explorer and 18 to 20 inches on the Highlander. Both SUVs come with a standard power liftgate that makes it easy to access the cargo hold with the quick press of a button. Light up the road ahead and behind thanks to the standard LED exterior lighting included with both SUVs.
Available Ford Explorer exterior features include:
- 18- to 21-in. wheels
- LED headlamps with automatic on/off
- LED taillamps, signature lighting, and fog lamps
- Heated, power-folding side view mirrors with Autofold and LED turn signal indicators
- Rear privacy glass
- Power liftgate
- Roof rack side rails
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- Twin-panel moonroof
- Quad chrome exhaust tips
2025 Ford Explorer
2025 Ford Explorer® vs. Toyota Highlander Size & Cargo Capacity
When you enter the 2025 Ford Explorer or 2025 Toyota Highlander, you’ll find cavernous cargo space, three rows of seating, and standard second-row bench seating. The Explorer can seat up to seven passengers with the bench seating, while the Highlander has an eight-passenger seating maximum. Both also offer available second-row captain’s chairs which give your older kids and teens more room to spread out. For easy access to the total cargo space available, both your second and third row seats in either SUV can be fully lowered. Folding both rear rows gets you up to 85.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity in the Explorer and up to 84.3 cubic feet in the Highlander.
Interior dimensions are shown in the accompanying table.
| Ford Explorer | 2025 Model | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Seven | Max. Passenger Capacity | Eight |
| 85.8 cu.-ft. | Max. Cargo Space | 84.3 cu.-ft. |
| 46 cu.-ft. | Cargo Space Behind Second Row | 48.4 cu.-ft. |
| 16.3 cu.-ft. | Cargo Space Behind Third Row | 16 cu.-ft. |
2025 Ford Explorer
2025 Ford Explorer
2025 Ford Explorer® vs. Toyota Highlander Interior Design & Technology
Life on the go can mean your SUV is your home away from home, and the 2025 Ford Explorer and 2025 Toyota Highlander are designed to deliver. Experience optimal comfort in either front seat thanks to the available heating and ventilation. Plus, the Explorer offers multicontour front seats with Active Motion® massage for maximum comfort. Meanwhile, the Highlander is available with a ten-way power driver’s seat and an available eight-way power front passenger’s seat. Second-row passengers in either SUV can also access available heating controls for their seats.
Whether you opt for the Explorer or Highlander, you’ll find cutting edge technology available throughout each SUV’s lineup. The Explorer is standard with an expanded 13.2-inch Ford Digital Experience, built-in Google apps, Amazon Alexa Built-in, and more. The Highlander offers an available 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system on select trims. Live a blissful cord-free existence thanks to the standard wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ included with each SUV. Plus, both offer a wireless charging pad for compatible smart devices.
Available Ford Explorer interior features include:
- Heated and ventilated, multicontour front seats with Active Motion massage
- Heated second-row seats
- 35/30/35 split-fold-flat second-row bench seat or captain's chairs with E-Z Entry
- 50/50 split-fold third-row bench seat or PowerFold® third-row seats
- Second-row sunblinds
- Power tilt/telescoping steering column
- Ambient interior lighting
- Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
Available Ford Explorer technology features include:
- 12.3-in. instrument panel productivity screen
- Ford Digital Experience with 13.2-in. touchscreen
- Amazon Alexa Built-in
- Google built-in
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- FordPass® Connect with 5G LTE Wi-Fi® hotspot capability
- SiriusXM® with 360L capability
- HD Radio™
- Wireless charging pad
- Six-speaker sound system or ten-speaker or 14-speaker B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen®
2025 Ford Explorer
2025 Ford Explorer
2025 Ford Explorer® vs. Toyota Highlander Safety Features
Protect yourself and your crew in either the 2025 Ford Explorer or 2025 Toyota Highlander thanks to the various driver assistance and safety systems available. You’ll find a suite of standard driver assistance features included with each SUV — Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist+
on the Explorer and Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+ on the Highlander. With these suites, you have access to automatic high beams, cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and more. Keep an eye on your surroundings with the available 360-degree camera available on the Explorer or the panoramic view monitor available on the Highlander.
Available Ford Explorer driver assistance features include:
- Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+
- Adaptive cruise control with stop and go and lane centering
- Auto high beams
- BLIS® (blind spot information system) with cross-traffic alert, exit warning, and trailer coverage
- Evasive steering assist
- Intersection Assist 2.0
- Lane-keeping system
- Pre-Collision Assist® with automatic emergency braking
- Rear cross-traffic braking
- Rearview camera
- Reverse parking assist
- Post-collision braking
- Rear parking sensors
- Side-wind stabilization
- Trailer sway control
- Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0
- 360-degree camera with split view
- Front and side parking sensors
- Intersection Assist 2.2
2024 Ford Explorer® vs. 2024 Toyota Highlander
Searching for the perfect mid-size SUV to complement your family's active lifestyle? Consider the 2024 Ford Explorer® or the 2024 Toyota Highlander. Both vehicles offer outstanding performance and a spacious interior, featuring three rows of comfortable seating. Which one is right for you? The experts at Spirit Ford in Dundee, MI, have prepared this 2024 Ford Explorer vs. 2024 Toyota Highlander comparison for your research.
For more information, visit our 2024 Ford Explorer review.
Found your preferred 2024 Ford Explorer model in our inventory? Visit Spirit Ford to see it in person. View our convenient directions to help plan your visit to our dealership in Dundee, MI. If you have any questions, give us a call at (847) 395-0200 or contact us online.
The 2024 Ford Explorer starts at $36,860 MSRP, and the 2024 Toyota Highlander starts at $39,270 MSRP.
2024 Ford Explorer vs. 2024 Toyota Highlander Exterior
The 2024 Ford Explorer and the 2024 Toyota Highlander are both designed to impress with their striking aesthetics and robust performance capabilities. Both SUVs boast advanced features, including sleek LED headlamps, fog lights, and tail lamps, alongside signature daytime running lights, a power liftgate, and heated side mirrors.
The Ford Explorer features adaptive lighting that adjusts to your steering for optimal visibility at every turn. Rain-sensing automatic wipers that activate seamlessly in wet conditions are available on higher trims of both the Explorer and the Highlander. A power moonroof is optional on the Explorer and included on select Highlander trims. Additionally, the Explorer comes standard with stylish 18- to 21-inch aluminum wheels, compared to the 18- to 20-inch alloy wheels on the Highlander.
2024 Ford Explorer vs. 2024 Toyota Highlander Specs
The 2024 Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander provide brisk performance, excellent towing capability, and optimal fuel economy. The 2024 Ford Explorer offers the 2.3L EcoBoost® inline four-cylinder (I4) and the more powerful 3.0L EcoBoost V6. The 2024 Toyota Highlander touts two impressive engines — the 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder and 2.5L hybrid four-cylinder.
When it comes to hauling, the Ford Explorer prevails with an impressive towing capacity of 5,600 pounds. It features standard rear-wheel drive (RWD) with the option of intelligent four-wheel drive (4WD) for enhanced traction. The Toyota Highlander offers the choice of front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. For fuel efficiency, increased traction, and enhanced performance in varying driving conditions and on slippery or rougher terrains, both the Explorer and Highlander offer selectable drive modes.
Compare the performance specifications in the accompanying table.
|
2024 Ford Explorer |
||
|
Engine |
2.3L EcoBoost I4 |
3.0L EcoBoost V6 |
|
Horsepower |
300 HP |
400 HP |
|
Torque |
310 lb.-ft. |
415 lb.-ft. |
|
Transmission |
Ten-speed automatic |
|
|
Drivetrain |
RWD / 4WD |
|
|
MPG (City / Hwy) |
19 / 28 |
18 / 26 |
|
Max. Towing |
5,300 lbs. |
5,600 lbs. |
|
2024 Toyota Highlander |
||
|
Engine |
2.4L turbo four-cylinder |
2.5L hybrid four-cylinder |
|
Horsepower |
265 HP |
Up to 243 HP |
|
Torque |
310 lb.-ft. |
175 lb.-ft. |
|
Transmission |
Eight-speed automatic |
Electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (eCVT) |
|
Drivetrain |
FWD / AWD |
|
|
MPG (City / Hwy) |
22 / 29 |
36 / 35 |
|
Max. Towing |
5,000 lbs. |
3,500 lbs. |
2024 Ford Explorer vs. 2024 Toyota Highlander Interior Features
The 2024 Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander both offer spacious, thoughtfully designed interiors that include three-row seating. Tri-zone automatic climate control is standard in both models. Heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel are available on select trims in both the Explorer and Highlander. Multi-color interior ambient lighting is available in select Explorer trims.
The Explorer accommodates up to seven passengers on most trims. The Highlander accommodates seven passengers, but offers an eight-passenger configuration on select trims. Both models feature premium cloth and sumptuous leather upholstery. An eight-way power driver’s seat is standard on both models with power-adjustable front passenger seats available on higher trim levels.
The Explorer offers overall higher legroom and cargo capacities when compared to the Highlander. Compare the interior and cargo area specifications of the Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander in the accompanying table.
|
Ford Explorer |
2024 Model |
Toyota Highlander |
|
Six or seven |
Seating Capacity |
Seven or eight |
|
152 cu.-ft. |
Passenger Volume |
141.8 cu.-ft. |
|
40.7 / 40.5 / 38.9 in. |
Headroom (First/Second/Third Row) |
41.2 / 39.4 / 36.1 in. |
|
43 / 39 / 32.2 in. |
Legroom (First/Second/Third Row) |
42 / 38.7 / 28 in. |
|
87.8 / 47.9 / 18.2 cu.-ft. |
Cargo Volume Behind First / Second / Third Row |
84.3 / 48.4 / 16 cu.-ft. |
2024 Ford Explorer vs. 2024 Toyota Highlander Technology
Both SUVs provide cutting-edge tech, including Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, as well as 4G LTE Wi-Fi® hotspot and SiriusXM® Satellite Radio capability. Standard on the 2024 Ford Explorer is a SYNC® 3 infotainment system paired with an 8-inch or portrait-style 10.1-inch touchscreen. The 2024 Toyota Highlander offers a standard 8-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment touchscreen with an available 12.3-inch system touchscreen.
The 2024 Ford Explorer provides a selection of dynamic sound systems, including a B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen® with 12 or 14 speakers. The Toyota Highlander provides six speakers or an available 11-speaker JBL® premium audio system. For powering up on the go, a wireless charging pad is available in both models.
Technology features on the 2024 Ford Explorer include:
- 4.2-, 6.5-, or 12.3-in. productivity screen
- SYNC 3 infotainment system with 8- or 10.1-in. touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- FordPass® Connect 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot
- Six speakers or B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen with 12 or 14 speakers
- Wireless charging pad
2024 Ford Explorer vs. 2024 Toyota Highlander Safety
Safety is a top priority in the 2024 Ford Explorer and the 2024 Toyota Highlander, and both offer plenty of advanced safety features for peace of mind on the road. Both SUVs feature advanced safety systems, including collision avoidance, lane-keeping, rearview cameras, and parking assistance. The Ford Explorer is equipped with Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist Plus technology, while the Toyota Highlander comes with Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+.
Additionally, the Explorer offers evasive steering assist, a surround view camera, and the Active Driving Assist hands-free lane centering system, which are unavailable on the Highlander. Stability and traction control features are included on both models — the AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control™) on the Ford Explorer and the Star Safety System™ on the Toyota Highlander.
2024 Ford Explorer for Sale in Dundee, MI
Discover the 2024 Ford Explorer for sale in Dundee, MI, when you explore our current inventory at Spirit Ford. If you have any questions, give us a call at (847) 395-0200 or contact us online. Our team is ready to assist you.
* Pricing - All vehicle pricing shown is assumed to be correct and accurate. Incentives, credit restrictions, qualifying programs, residency, and fees may raise, lower, or otherwise augment monthly payments. Additionally, incentives offered by the manufacturer are subject to change and may fluctuate or differ based on region and other considerations. Unless otherwise noted or specified, pricing shown does not include title, registration, dealer installed options, or tax fees and costs. * MPG - Vehicle information, as well as features and other inclusions, may vary by model and are based exclusively on standard equipment. No claims, warranties, or guarantees have been made related to the accuracy of customer payments, model equipment, or vehicle pricing. Please call with any questions you might have and to reassert the accuracy of any information presented here. A/Z Plan Pin required to be eligible for new car pricing being advertised