Compare the2026 Toyota Grand HighlanderVS 2026 Ford Explorer

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Toyota Grand Highlander achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Ford Explorer has not been tested.

The Toyota Grand Highlander’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Ford Explorer does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Grand Highlander and the Explorer have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Grand Highlander is safer than the Ford Explorer:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Grand Highlander for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Ford doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Explorer.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 46 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 13th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. Ford is ranked 13th.

As tested in Motor Trend the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max is faster than the Ford Explorer turbo 4 cyl.:

On the EPA test cycle the Grand Highlander gets better mileage than the Explorer:

Regenerative brakes improve the Grand Highlander Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Explorer doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Grand Highlander has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Explorer. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota Grand Highlander higher (6 out of 10) than the Ford Explorer (5 to 6). This means the Grand Highlander produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Explorer every 15,000 miles.

The Grand Highlander Hybrid has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Explorer doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Grand Highlander stops shorter than the Explorer:

The Grand Highlander Platinum handles at .80 G’s, while the Explorer 4WD pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Grand Highlander Limited AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Explorer 4WD (27.4 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Grand Highlander has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Explorer (8 vs. 7.6 inches), allowing the Grand Highlander to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Grand Highlander Platinum is quieter than the Explorer ST 4WD:

The Grand Highlander offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Explorer can only carry up to 7.

The Grand Highlander has 3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Explorer (153.3 vs. 150.3).

The Grand Highlander has .8 inches more front headroom, 2 inches more rear legroom, 1.7 inches more third row legroom, 4.8 inches more third row hip room and 2.9 inches more third row shoulder room than the Explorer.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Grand Highlander’s middle and third row seats recline. The Explorer’s third row seats don’t recline.

The Grand Highlander’s cargo area provides more volume than the Explorer.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Grand Highlander Limited/Platinum/Nightshade’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Explorer doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Grand Highlander Platinum has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Explorer doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Grand Highlander’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Explorer’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the Grand Highlander the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Explorer can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

When the Grand Highlander Limited/Platinum is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Explorer’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Grand Highlander Limited/Platinum/Nightshade has standard front air conditioned seats and the Grand Highlander Platinum also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Explorer doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander retains 64.27% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 47.11% resale value of the 2025 Ford Explorer after five years, which can save the Toyota’s owner up to $6581 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Toyota Grand Highlander and the Ford Explorer, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Grand Highlander was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024. The Explorer has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.