DecodedCarsFord Explorer vs Toyota Land Cruiser
2026 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser — two standard SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.
The short version
The Ford Explorer is more fuel-efficient: 24 vs 23 MPG combined in its best version.
That works out to about $750 a year less in fuel for the Ford Explorer (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).
The Ford Explorer is the bigger car, about 2 inches longer.
Across all model years since 2005, the Toyota Land Cruiser has had fewer recall campaigns (18 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 Land Cruiser is a standard SUV offered with a 2.4L 4-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and 4-wheel drive. It measures about 197 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,038 lb.
Buying used? The 2024 Explorer and the 2020 Land Cruiser have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2016 Explorer and the 2024 Land Cruiser.
Basics
Efficiency
Performance & space
Safety & reliability
Interest
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 Land Cruiser on any measure we track.
Choose the Toyota Land Cruiser if…
- You want a hybrid or electric option
- You want more standard driver-assist tech
- You put reliability history first (18 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 Land Cruiser
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 23 MPG combined — 15% better than the average 2026 standard SUV (20 MPG).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Full 2026 Ford Explorer specs →Full 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →