Compare 2021 Ford Explorer vs 2022 GMC Acadia vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

2021 Ford Explorer
X
2022 GMC Acadia
#13 in Large SUVs
X
2021 Toyota Highlander
X
Get Your Price
Select style
Base 4WD
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Explorer Base 4WD 20 27 $33,878 $34,925
Explorer Base RWD 21 28 $31,938 $32,925
Explorer King Ranch 4WD 18 24 $52,416 $54,600
Explorer King Ranch RWD 18 24 $50,496 $52,600
Explorer Limited 4WD 20 27 $45,365 $47,255
Explorer Limited RWD 21 28 $43,445 $45,255
Explorer Platinum 4WD 23 26 $51,202 $53,335
Explorer Platinum RWD 18 24 $50,621 $52,730
Explorer ST 4WD 18 24 $47,040 $49,000
Explorer Timberline 4WD 19 23 $44,174 $46,015
Explorer XLT 4WD 20 27 $35,592 $37,075
Explorer XLT RWD 21 28 $33,672 $35,075
Select style
AWD 4-Door AT4
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Acadia AWD 4-Door AT4 19 26 $39,495 $41,400
Acadia AWD 4-Door Denali 19 26 $46,364 $48,600
Acadia AWD 4-Door SLE 22 27 $35,393 $37,100
Acadia AWD 4-Door SLT 22 27 $39,209 $41,100
Acadia FWD 4-Door Denali 19 27 $44,456 $46,600
Acadia FWD 4-Door SLE 22 29 $33,199 $34,800
Acadia FWD 4-Door SLT 22 29 $37,301 $39,100
Select style
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 35 $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
Pricing
Invoice Price
$33,878
$39,495
$36,979
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$34,925
$41,400
$40,335
Monthly Payment Estimate
$582 / month
$690 / month
$672 / month
The Car Connection's Take
TCC Rating
7.0
6.2
7.2
TCC’s Bottom Line
The 2021 Ford Explorer is recognizable, but new. It should be on every family SUV shopper’s list. The 2022 GMC Acadia makes a good all-rounder for those seeking a comfy, well-equipped 3-row SUV. 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
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
City
20 mpg 19 mpg 35 mpg
Highway
27 mpg 26 mpg 35 mpg
Vehicle
EPA Classification
Standard SUV 4WD 4WD Sport Utility Vehicle Standard SUV 4WD
Interior Dimensions
Third Leg Room (in)
32.2 29.7 27.7
Passenger Volume (ft³)
152.7 143.8 141.3
Second Head Room (in)
40.5 39.6 39.4
Third Hip Room (in)
40.9 42.9 45.6
Second Shoulder Room (in)
61.9 58.7 58.7
Front Leg Room (in)
43 41 42
Third Head Room (in)
38.9 37.2 36.1
Passenger Capacity
7 6 8
Front Hip Room (in)
59.2 55.7 57.2
Third Shoulder Room (in)
54.6 54.3 55
Second Leg Room (in)
39 39.7 41
Front Head Room (in)
40.7 40 41.2
Second Hip Room (in)
59.1 53.3 57
Front Shoulder Room (in)
61.8 59.4 59
Exterior Dimensions
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
78.9 75.4 76
Track Width, Front (in)
66.9 64.5 65.3
Min Ground Clearance (in)
8.2 7.20 8
Length, Overall (in)
198.8 193.4 194.9
Liftover Height (in)
32.8 - TBD - -
Height, Overall (in)
70.2 66.7 68.1
Track Width, Rear (in)
66.9 64.5 65.4
Wheelbase (in)
119.1 112.5 112.2
Rear Door Opening Width (in)
- - TBD - -
Rear Door Opening Height (in)
- - TBD - -
Cargo Area Dimensions
Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)
32.8 - TBD - -
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)
83.9 79 -
Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)
87.8 79 84.3
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 3 (in)
20.8 12.8 -
Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)
18.2 12.8 16
Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)
48.1 - TBD - -
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)
49.8 41.7 -
Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)
47.9 41.7 48.4
Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)
59 - TBD - -
Brakes
Brake ABS System
4-Wheel 4-Wheel 4-Wheel
Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes Yes Yes
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
12.6 12.4 x 0.9 13.3
Brake Type
4-Wheel Disc Pwr 4-Wheel Disc
Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
NA NA NA
Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes Yes Yes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
13.6 12.6 x 1.9 13.3
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
NA NA NA
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
17.9 22 17.1
Steering
Steering Type
Rack-Pinion Electric Rack & Pinion Rack-Pinion
Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)
- - TBD - -
Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)
- N/A -
Steering Ratio (:1), Overall
- - TBD - -
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
- 38.7 37.4
Tires
Rear Tire Size
P255/65HR18 P255/65R17 P235/65VR18
Rear Tire Order Code
NA 5GV NA
Front Tire Size
P255/65HR18 P255/65R17 P235/65VR18
Spare Tire Size
Compact T135/70R18 Compact
Front Tire Order Code
NA 5GV NA
Spare Tire Order Code
NA ZCD NA
Trailering
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
5000 - TBD - 3500
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
5300 - TBD - 3500
Maximum Trailering Capacity (lbs)
5300 - 3500
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
500 - TBD - 350
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
530 - TBD - 350
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
4345 4495 4465
Wheels
Front Wheel Material
Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum
Spare Wheel Material
Steel Steel Steel
Front Wheel Size (in)
18 X 7.5 17 x - TBD - 18 X 8
Spare Wheel Size (in)
Compact 18 x - TBD - Compact
Rear Wheel Material
Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum
Rear Wheel Size (in)
18 X 7.5 17 x - TBD - 18 X 8
Engine
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
310 @ 3500 271 @ 5000 175 @ 4400
Engine Order Code
99H LGX NA
Displacement
2.3 L/140 3.6L/- TBD - 2.5 L/152
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
300 @ 5500 310 @ 6600 243 @ 6000
Engine Type
Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 Gas V6 Gas/Electric I-4
Fuel System
Gasoline Direct Injection Direct Injection Port/Direct Injection
Mileage
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
23 21 35
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
27 26 35
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
20 19 35
Transmission
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
3.58 3.49 -
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
2.15 3.01 -
Trans Type
10 9 1
Drivetrain
Four Wheel Drive All Wheel Drive All Wheel Drive
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.52 1.92 -
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA NA
Reverse Ratio (:1)
4.88 2.96 -
Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.85 0.75 -
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
3.00 3.31 -
Trans Order Code
44T M3W NA
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.77 2.44 -
Trans Description Cont.
Automatic w/OD Automatic CVT w/OD
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.27 1.44 -
Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)
1.00 1.00 -
First Gear Ratio (:1)
4.71 4.69 -
Ninth Gear Ratio (:1)
- 0.62 -
Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), Low
- - TBD - -
Clutch Size (in)
- NA -
Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), High
- - TBD - -
Summary
Vehicle Name
Ford Explorer GMC Acadia Toyota Highlander
Body Style
Sport Utility 4 Door Sport Utility
Suspension
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
Multi-Link NA Multi-Link
Suspension Type - Front
Strut MacPherson Strut Strut
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
Strut NA Strut
Suspension Type - Rear
Multi-Link Five-Link Multi-Link
Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)
- - TBD - -
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)
- NA -
Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)
- - TBD - -
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)
- - TBD - -
Emissions
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
7.7 8.4 5.0
Cooling System
Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)
- - TBD - -
Electrical
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
- 155 -
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
- - TBD - -
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
Next Steps: Get Free Price Quotes!
2021 Ford Explorer
  • 2022 Explorer now in stock; 2021s still available
  • Lease: From $339/mo
  • Rebates: Up to $1,000 off
  • Finance: From 0% APR
2022 GMC Acadia
  • 2022 Acadia selection looks good
  • Lease: From $319/mo
  • Rebates: Up to $1,250 off
  • Finance: From 0% APR
Get Your Price
2021 Toyota Highlander
  • 2021 Highlander is sold out
  • Lease: From $455/mo.
  • Rebate: Standard APR rebate
  • Finance: No financing offers

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