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Ford Explorer vs Toyota Sequoia

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

Ford Explorer

2026 Ford Explorer

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WD
VS2 – 4Toyota Sequoia wins 4 of 6 categories
Toyota Sequoia

2026 Toyota Sequoia

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Ford Explorer is more fuel-efficient: 24 vs 22 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $250 a year less in fuel for the Ford Explorer (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Toyota Sequoia is the bigger car, about 10 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Toyota Sequoia has had fewer recall campaigns (29 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 Sequoia is a standard SUV offered with a 3.4L 6-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and part-time 4-wheel drive. It measures about 208 inches long and 80 inches wide on a 122-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 6,151 lb.

Buying used? The 2024 Explorer and the 2022 Sequoia have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2016 Explorer and the 2023 Sequoia.

Basics

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid
2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Engines
3.4L 6-cyl turbo
Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

24 MPG
Best combined MPG
22 MPG
20 city
City / highway MPG (best)
21 city
$2,800
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$3,050

Performance & space

–
Horsepower (most powerful)
389 hp
198.8 in
Length
208.3 in
78.7 in
Width
79.5 in
70.1 in
Height
74.4 in
4,458 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
6,151 lb

Safety & reliability

10
Driver-assist features standard
12
15
Recalls (2026)
0
105
Recalls, all years since 2005
29
42
Owner complaints (latest year)
10

Interest

23,294
Wikipedia views, 30 days
11,539

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2022
2016
Year to avoid
2023

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

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Ford Explorer if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (24 vs 22 MPG)
  • You want something easier to park (10 in shorter)

Choose the Toyota Sequoia if…

  • You want more room (10 in longer)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech
  • You put reliability history first (29 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 Sequoia

  • Strong performanceUp to 389 hp, versus about 285 hp for similar 2026 models.
  • 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 Sequoia specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →