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Ford Explorer vs Toyota Grand Highlander

2026 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander — two standard SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Ford Explorer

2026 Ford Explorer

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WD
VS1 – 5Toyota Grand Highlander wins 5 of 6 categories
Toyota Grand Highlander

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Toyota Grand Highlander is more fuel-efficient: 36 vs 24 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $950 a year less in fuel for the Toyota Grand Highlander (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Toyota Grand Highlander is the bigger car, about 2 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Toyota Grand Highlander has had fewer recall campaigns (7 vs 105).

The two cars

The 2026 Ford Explorer is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (2.3L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo) and rear-wheel drive and part-time 4-wheel drive. It measures about 199 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 119-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,458 lb (4dr SUV).

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 201 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 116-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,464 lb (4dr SUV).

Basics

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

24 MPG
Best combined MPG
36 MPG
20 city
City / highway MPG (best)
37 city
$2,800
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$1,850

Performance & space

–
Horsepower (most powerful)
265 hp
198.8 in
Length
201.2 in
78.7 in
Width
78.3 in
70.1 in
Height
70.1 in
4,458 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,464 lb

Safety & reliability

10
Driver-assist features standard
11
15
Recalls (2026)
4
105
Recalls, all years since 2005
7
42
Owner complaints (latest year)
46

Interest

23,294
Wikipedia views, 30 days
5,779

Buying used

2024
Best used year
–
2016
Year to avoid
–

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Ford Explorer if…

It doesn't clearly beat the Toyota Grand Highlander on any measure we track.

Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (36 vs 24 MPG)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option
  • You put reliability history first (7 vs 105 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Ford Explorer

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • 15 recallsMore than similar models (about 1). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 36 MPG combined — 66% better than the average 2026 standard SUV (21.7 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Full 2026 Ford Explorer specs →Full 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →