The 2021 Ford Explorer and the 2021 Toyota Highlander are affordable 3-row SUVs that offer plenty of space and comfort. Here’s how they compare.
2021 Ford Explorer
2021 Ford Explorer Starting Price: $33,470 | Price Yours or View listings near you
Above Average: A variety of engine offerings; performance ST version; available hybrid; polished driving manners.
Below Average: Most versions seat only six; hard plastic surfaces; expensive top trims.
Consensus: The 2021 Ford Explorer is roomy and refined. It offers a wide variety of models and powertrains, including an economical hybrid and a powerful twin-turbo V6.
2021 Toyota Highlander
2021 Toyota Highlander Starting Price: $35,985 | Price Yours or View listings near you
Above Average: Hybrid offers good fuel economy; high resale value; plenty of active safety features; available 12.3-inch touchscreen.
Below Average: Third-row seat is strictly for kids; Hybrid’s tow rating is just 3,500 pounds.
Consensus: The 2021 Toyota Highlander is a practical choice for a family SUV, with seating for 7 or 8 passengers. It also offers a choice of a robust V6 engine or a highly economical hybrid and boasts Toyota’s reputation for reliability.
Explorer vs. Highlander: Battle of the family favorites
Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer is roomy and comes in a 2-2-2 seating in all but the base trim (which gets a 3-passenger middle bench). That means it can carry up to seven passengers. Since the Ford is an American model, it’s made for the American consumer who prefers ample passenger space, and it delivers on that. The base turbo I4 is economical and has enough grunt with 300 horsepower. Upgrade choices are a 322-horsepower V6 hybrid and a turbo V6 with 365 or 400 horsepower (in the respective Platinum and ST). AWD is standard with the turbo V6 and optional with the others. The RWD hybrid gets 28 mpg combined; the twin-turbo V6 only 20 mpg.
The Explorer offers a more premium driving experience, and the sporty ST is a credible performance SUV. The base, XLT, and Limited get the 2.3-liter, with the Limited also available with the hybrid. The twin-turbo is exclusive to the ST and the Platinum, which also gets a digital instrument cluster and offers the option of a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system and a 10.1-inch vertical touchscreen. An 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and Wi-Fi is standard, along with forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Upper trims offer adaptive cruise control and lane centering, a power-folding third row, a panoramic sunroof, leather, a 360-degree-view camera, and more.
Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander was redesigned for 2020 and offers value, fuel economy, and reliability. Buyers can choose a V6 engine with 295 horsepower or a hybrid, now available with FWD or AWD. The hybrid isn’t as quick as the V6 (and tows only 3,500 pounds versus 5,000 for the V6). But, the hybrid’s fuel economy impresses at 36 mpg combined (FWD) or 35 mpg (AWD).
Highlander offers six trim levels, including a sporty XSE new for 2021, plus four more on the hybrid. Buyers can opt for either captain’s chairs or a bench in the second row. All Highlanders include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and Lane Tracing Assist, with a blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert standard on all but the base L. A pleasant driving experience and a roomy interior round out the package.
Similarities
Long list of safety and technology features in both.
2021 Explorer Advantages
Slightly less thirsty and with a lower starting price, the Ford Explorer offers a decent value.
2021 Toyota Highlander Advantages
Stellar resale, reliability, and safety features.
Final Recommendation
In this comparison, we’d go with the Toyota Highlander, for its variety of options and its better resale and reliability.
Ready to buy a Ford Explorer or Toyota Highlander? Shop for one on sale near you.
| 2021 Ford Explorer | 2021 Toyota Highlander | ||
| Popular Powertrains | |||
| Engine | 2.3-liter turbo I4 | 3.5-liter V6 | |
| Horsepower | 300 hp @ 5,500 rpm | 295 hp @ 6,600 rpm | |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm | 263 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm | |
| Transmission | 10-spd automatic | 8-spd automatic | |
| Fuel Economy | 24 mpg (21 city/28 hwy) | 24 mpg (21 city/29 hwy) | |
| Also Available | 3.0-liter turbo V6; 3.3-liter V6 hybrid; AWD | 2.5-liter I4 Hybrid; AWD | |
| Specs | |||
| Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles | |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles | |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | 5 stars | |
| Max Seating Capacity | 7 | 8 | |
| Wheelbase | 119.1 inches | 112.2 inches | |
| Overall Length | 198.8 inches | 194.9 inches | |
| Width | 78.9 inches | 76.0 inches | |
| Height | 69.9 inches | 68.1 inches | |
| Turning Diameter | n/a | 36.1 feet | |
| Headroom, Front | 40.7 inches | 39.9 inches | |
| Headroom, 2nd row | 40.5 inches | 39.4 inches | |
| Headroom, 3rd row | 38.9 inches | 36.1 inches | |
| Legroom, Front | 43.0 inches | 40.4 inches | |
| Legroom, 2nd row | 39.0 inches | 41.0inches | |
| Legroom, 3rd row | 32.2 inches | 27.7 inches | |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 61.8 inches | 59.0 inches | |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd row | 61.9 inches | 57.8 inches | |
| Shoulder Room, 3rd row | 54.6 inches | 55.0 inches | |
| EPA Passenger Volume | 152.7 cu. ft. | 141.3 cu. ft. | |
| EPA Cargo Volume | 87.8 cu. ft. | 84.3 cu. ft. | |
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2021 Ford Explorer vs. 2021 Toyota Highlander Comparison - Kelley Blue Book
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