Highlander vs Explorer: Efficient and Powerful Engineering

In exploring a new SUV, you’ll definitely want to ensure it provides a versatile and powerful driving experience. Fortunately, both of these vehicles do just that. The Highlander comes equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine, while the Explorer was built with a 2.3L 4-cylinder engine. Further, the Highlander will arm you with a larger engine under the hood.

Another key area to evaluate is how efficiently these SUVs run to determine if they’ll save you any money at the pumps. Again, both of these vehicles prove up to the task here. The Highlander earns an EPA-estimated 21 city/29 highway MPG.* In that regard, either SUV would be perfect for your next family road trip since the Explorer also earns 29 highway MPG.

The Highlander comes with an additional efficiency feature, though. The standard Stop and Start Engine System (S&S) will work to conserve even more fuel. The S&S system accomplishes this by turning off the engine when you’re stopped for a period of time—such as at a stoplight—and restarting it immediately after you release the brake pedal.

Interior Design Competition

Both SUVs have plenty of space for your passengers, but the Toyota Highlander has an 8-passenger capacity, whereas the 2021 Explorer only has a 7-passenger capacity. These larger interior cabins will also afford the ability to store cargo, gear, and more. Just fold down the rear seats to transform the interior of either of these SUVs for a versatile drive.

Additionally, both SUVs come with three-zone automatic climate control systems. So, your first-, second-, and third-row passengers will all be able to find a comfortable in cabin-temperature.

The Highlander does have an additional available interior feature that could improve your comfort if equipped. The available Driver Easy Speak uses an overhead microphone to amplify your voice through rear speakers so all your passengers can hear you.

Driver-Assistive Safety Features

This year’s Highlander comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), a suite of driver-assistive systems meant to ease your drive and help keep you safe. While offering some of the same assistive technologies, the Ford Explorer does not come equipped with a full driver-assistive suite like TSS 2.5+.

Some features consistent across both the Highlander and the Explorer include:

• Trailer Sway Control
• Lane Departure Alert
• Backup Camera

The Highlander’s TSS 2.5+ comes with these additional systems to further improve your safety behind the wheel:

• Pre-Collision System with Low-Light Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD)
• Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)
• Road Sign Assist

The PCS w/PD will alert you of an imminent frontal collision with another vehicle or pedestrian and help reduce impact speed by applying brake pressure. The DRCC allows you to preset a cruising speed and will automatically slow your Highlander without turning off cruise control if the system notices the vehicle in front of you is traveling at a slower speed.

While some similar features are available in the Ford Explorer, they are not standard.