If you’re in the market for a crossover SUV, two likely options to consider would be the Ford Explorer and the Toyota Highlander. Both of these vehicles have been around for a few years and have solid track records, but which one is best? Let’s take a look at both vehicles, comparing specifications, performance, and fuel efficiency ratings to see which one has the advantage.
Specifications
To start our comparison, let’s talk about the specifications for the basic models of each:
| Ford Explorer | Toyota Highlander | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.3 liter turbocharged 4 cyl | 3.5 litre V6 |
| Horsepower | 300 horsepower | 295 horsepower |
| Acceleration 0 to 60 MPH | 5.6 seconds | 7.3 seconds |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft | 263 lb-ft |
| Cargo Volume | 87.8 cubic feet | 84.3 cubic feet |
| Towing Capacity | 5,300 lbs. | 5,000 lbs. |
| Payload | 1084 lbs. | 1485 lbs. |
| Seating Capacity | 7 passengers | 8 passengers |
| Passenger Volume | 152.7 cubic feet | 141.3 cubic feet |
| Wheelbase | 119.1 inches | 112.2 inches |
| Length | 198.8 inches | 194.9 inches |
| Height | 70.7 inches | 68.1 inches |
| Width excluding mirrors | 78.9 inches | 76.0 inches |
Warranties
When comparing the factory warranties for both vehicles, they’re very similar but with a couple of differences. The Ford Explorer comes with the following factory warranties
- Standard warranty: 3 years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles
- Hybrid system warranty: 8 years or 100,000 miles
- Hybrid battery warranty: 8 years or 100,000 miles (10 years or 150,000 miles in California emissions states)
- Roadside assistance: 5 years or 60,000 miles
In comparison, here’s the warranty information for the Highlander:
- Standard warranty: 3 years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles
- Hybrid system warranty: 8 years or 100,000 miles
- Hybrid battery warranty: 10 years or 150,000 miles
- Roadside assistance: 2 years and unlimited miles
Engine Options
The basic Ford Explorer is powered by a 2.3 liter turbocharged EcoBoost 4 cylinder engine. Other engine choices for the Explorer include a twin turbocharged 3.0 liter V6 gas engine, plus a hybrid 3.3 liter V6 combined with an electric motor system.
The Highlander is equipped with your choice of a 2.4 liter turbocharged 4 cyl, or a 2.4 liter 4 cylinder paired with an electric motor.
EPA Mileage Ratings
The fuel efficiency ratings for the Ford Explorer are 20 mpg for city driving and 28 mpg for highway. The hybrid model is rated at 27 mpg for city driving and 28 mpg highway.
For the Highlander, you can expect 21 mpg for city driving, 29 mpg for highway. If you select one of the hybrid models, those figures go up to 36 city, 35 highway.
Reliability
Repair Pal, a site that gathers repair information and ranks vehicles, rates the Ford Explorer with a 3.5 rating out of a possible 5. The average cost of repair for the Explorer is $732, and the frequency of repair visits averages .02 times per year.
The Highlander received a 4.0 rating from Repair Pal, and the average repair is $ 489, but the frequency of repair is higher with shop visits at .03 times per year.
Overall Ratings
JD Power ranks the Highlander as great and it earns a score of 81 for quality and reliability, which measures defects, malfunctions, and design flaws. The score covers the entire vehicle from the engine to the radio. The driving experience, however, is only rated average, and that’s one reason why Highlander gets second place in their comparisons.
The Ford beats the Toyota with an overall score of 82. The Explorer ranks great for quality and reliability and gets a much higher driving experience score.
Final Words
The Ford Explorer and the Toyota Highlander are two popular choices for a crossover SUV with a third seat. They’re both very practical vehicles, and they both offer models with regular gasoline engines as well as hybrids, combining the gas engine with an electric motor system for those seeking better gas mileage. While the Toyota offers slightly better EPA mileage ratings, the Explorer has superior power and towing capabilities, and you’ll find that it offers more competitive benefits across the board.
Where to Shop
If you’re in the market for a new Explorer, you can check in with the experts at Yankee Ford. We are the premier Ford dealership in South Portland, Maine, offering a diverse inventory of both new and used vehicles to choose from. Our highly trained sales team is ready to help you select your next vehicle, and our certified factory-trained service technicians are equipped to handle all of your service needs. If you have any automotive needs in the Portland area, we hope you will stop by and let us serve you. For more information, visit our website or contact us. We hope to see you soon!
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Car Comparison