2023 Ford Explorer vs. Toyota Highlander

Price and Trim Levels

With both the Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander, you have multiple trim levels to choose from. The starting price is also similar between the two.

Price & Trim Levels | Ford Explorer

• Base | $38,355
• XLT | $40,165
• ST-Line | $47,600
• Limited | $48,665
• Timberline | $50,475
• ST | $51,600
• King Ranch | $55,415
• Platinum | $56,975

Price & Trim Levels | Toyota Highlander

• L | $37,755
• LE | $41,155
• XLE | $43,155
• XSE | $44,750
• Limited| $47,410
• Platinum | $50,810

Exterior & Colors

The 2023 Ford Explorer is rated at 199″ L x 79″ W x 70″ H, and it comes with 18" to 21" wheels. The 2023 Toyota Highlander is slightly smaller at 195-197″ L x 76″ W x 68″ H, and it offers 18" or 20" wheels. With either SUV, you can choose multiple colors. 

Interior Design & Seating

The 2023 Ford Explorer has three rows comfortable for six to seven people. There are also three rows in the 2023 Toyota Highlander, seating seven or eight people.

Infotainment & Features

The 2023 Ford Explorer includes a standard six-speaker stereo, four USB ports, an 8" touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The 2023 Toyota Highlander includes standard wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, five USB ports, an 8" touch screen, a six-speaker stereo, a Wi-Fi hot spot, satellite radio, and Bluetooth.

Cargo Capacity

The 2023 Ford Explorer is equipped to hold 18.2 cubic feet of cargo in the back, 47.9 cubic feet behind the second row, and 87.8 cubic feet when those seats are all down. In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Highlander holds 16, 48.4, and 84.3 cubic feet, respectively. 

Towing Capacity

The 2023 Ford Explorer tows more than the Highlander, with a max capacity of 5,600 pounds. The Highlander is just a little behind with a 5,000-pound tow rating.

Drivetrain & Suspension

The 2023 Ford Explorer comes with standard rear-wheel drive, while the Toyota Highlander is configured with front-wheel drive. With either SUV, you can choose all-wheel drive.

Engine

The 2023 Ford Explorer includes a 2.3L four-cylinder engine rated at 300 horsepower. Otherwise, you can choose the 400-hp 3.0L twin-turbo V6 or the hybrid configuration that includes a V6 engine with an electric motor. With the hybrid, expect 318 horsepower. All of the engine options include a ten-speed automatic transmission. The 2023 Toyota Highlander has one powertrain option, the 265-hp 2.4-L four-cylinder engine.

Performance & MPG

The 2023 Ford Explorer is rated at 21/28 mpg. With all-wheel drive, the rating is 20/27 mpg, while the V6 earns 18/26 mpg. The 2023 Toyota Highlander gets 22-23/28-29 mpg when using front-wheel drive or 21/28 mpg if you choose all-wheel drive.

Safety Features

The 2023 Ford Explorer comes with the MyKey driving system, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, driver drowsiness monitoring, forward automatic emergency braking, a rearview camera, and pedestrian detection. The 2023 Toyota Highlander includes lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, lane trace assist, a rear-seat reminder, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, traffic sign recognition, automatic high-beam headlights, and forward automatic emergency braking.

Ratings & Reviews

The 2023 Ford Explorer is an excellent choice for the family since it's an IIHS Top Safety Pick+. We are also proud that Car and Driver says, "The Ford Explorer is a perfectly adequate mid-size SUV." The 2023 Toyota Highlander also earned a spot as an IIHS Top Safety Pick+. Car and Driver says, "The Highlander offers plenty of overall competence, a fuel-sipping hybrid model, and many features."