2020 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

2020 Ford Explorer

2021 Toyota Highlander

#3 in Large SUVs

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Base 4WD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Explorer Base 4WD	20	27	$33,721	$34,765
Explorer Base RWD	21	28	$31,781	$32,765
Explorer Limited 4WD	20	27	$48,366	$50,380
Explorer Limited RWD	21	28	$46,446	$48,380
Explorer Platinum 4WD	18	24	$55,920	$58,250
Explorer ST 4WD	18	24	$52,551	$54,740
Explorer XLT 4WD	20	27	$37,369	$38,925
Explorer XLT RWD	21	28	$35,449	$36,925

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Hybrid LE AWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Highlander Hybrid LE AWD	35	35	$36,979	$40,335
Highlander Hybrid LE FWD	36	35	$35,513	$38,735
Highlander Hybrid Limited AWD	35	34	$43,493	$47,440
Highlander Hybrid Limited FWD	36	35	$41,705	$45,490
Highlander Hybrid Platinum AWD	35	34	$46,428	$50,640
Highlander Hybrid Platinum FWD	36	35	$44,640	$48,690
Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD	35	34	$39,546	$43,135
Highlander Hybrid XLE FWD	36	35	$38,080	$41,535
Highlander L AWD	20	27	$33,493	$36,685
Highlander L FWD	21	29	$32,032	$35,085
Highlander LE AWD	20	27	$35,502	$38,885
Highlander LE FWD	21	29	$34,041	$37,285
Highlander Limited AWD	20	27	$41,989	$45,990
Highlander Limited FWD	21	29	$40,209	$44,040
Highlander Platinum AWD	20	27	$44,911	$49,190
Highlander Platinum FWD	21	29	$43,131	$47,240
Highlander XLE AWD	20	27	$38,058	$41,685
Highlander XLE FWD	21	29	$36,597	$40,085
Highlander XSE AWD	20	27	$39,834	$43,630
Highlander XSE FWD	21	29	$38,054	$41,680

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$33,721

$36,979

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$34,765

$40,335

Monthly Payment Estimate

$579 / month

$672 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.0

Read Our Full Review

7.2

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2020 Ford Explorer rediscovers its capable, outdoorsy side without becoming trucklike in any other respect.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander learned new tricks to keep us entertained on the road, when we’re not asleep in the back anyway.

TCC Likes

Great ride and handling
Attractive profile, styling
Soft, nicely detailed cabin

Better style
New sporty XSE look
Still practical…

TCC Dislikes

Cramped third row
Sluggish/drab infotainment
Hybrid emphasizes capability, not mpg

Infotainment is still a headache
Exterior is a little busy
Pricey top models

Fuel Economy

City

20 mpg

35 mpg

Highway

27 mpg

35 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Standard SUV 4WD

Interior Dimensions

Third Leg Room (in)

32.2

27.7

Passenger Volume (ft³)

152.7

141.3

Second Head Room (in)

40.5

39.4

Third Hip Room (in)

40.9

45.6

Second Shoulder Room (in)

61.9

58.7

Front Leg Room (in)

Third Head Room (in)

38.9

36.1

Passenger Capacity

Front Hip Room (in)

59.2

57.2

Third Shoulder Room (in)

54.6

Second Leg Room (in)

Front Head Room (in)

40.7

41.2

Second Hip Room (in)

59.1

Front Shoulder Room (in)

61.8

Exterior Dimensions

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

78.9

Track Width, Front (in)

66.9

65.3

Min Ground Clearance (in)

8.2

Length, Overall (in)

198.8

194.9

Liftover Height (in)

32.8

Height, Overall (in)

70.2

68.1

Track Width, Rear (in)

66.9

65.4

Wheelbase (in)

119.1

112.2

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)

32.8

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)

83.9

Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)

87.8

84.3

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 3 (in)

20.8

Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)

18.2

Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)

48.1

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)

49.8

Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)

47.9

48.4

Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)

Brakes

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.6

13.3

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

13.6

13.3

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

19.2

17.1

Steering

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

37.4

Tires

Rear Tire Size

P255/65HR18

P235/65VR18

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P255/65HR18

P235/65VR18

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

5000

3500

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

5300

3500

Maximum Trailering Capacity (lbs)

5300

3500

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

500

350

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

530

350

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

4345

4465

Wheels

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 X 7.5

18 X 8

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

18 X 7.5

18 X 8

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

310 @ 3500

175 @ 4400

Engine Order Code

99H

Displacement

2.3 L/140

2.5 L/152

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

300 @ 5500

243 @ 6000

Engine Type

Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4

Gas/Electric I-4

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

Port/Direct Injection

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.58

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

2.15

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Four Wheel Drive

All Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.52

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

4.88

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.85

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

3.00

Trans Order Code

44T

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.77

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

CVT w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.27

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.71

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

Summary

Vehicle Name

Ford Explorer

Toyota Highlander

Body Style

Sport Utility

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

7.7

5.1

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

2020 Ford Explorer

2021 Toyota Highlander

2022 Highlander arrives soon
Lease: From $427/mo. (est.)
Rebate: Get $500 off (2022)
Finance: No APR offers

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