The 2026 Ford Explorer® and 2026 Toyota Highlander are exceptional three-row SUVs packed with family-friendly amenities ready to elevate your daily driving experience. With both vehicles featuring advanced safety capabilities, strong engines, and indulgent interior amenities, how can you find which one is right for you? Continue reading this 2026 Ford Explorer vs. 2026 Toyota Highlander comparison created for you by the team at Westfield Ford in Countryside, IL, to learn key differences and find out which best suits your family.
If you’re eager to experience the Ford Explorer in person, find one that catches your eye in our inventory and get behind the wheel for a test drive. We’re always happy to help, so feel free to contact us online or over the phone at (866) 306-5556.
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2026 Ford Explorer
Stand out from the crowd with the exceptional exterior designs of the 2026 Ford Explorer and 2026 Toyota Highlander. You can find 18-, 20-, or 21-inch wheel designs on the Ford Explorer, or 18- or 20-inch wheels on the Toyota Highlander. Both SUVs are complemented by available LED lighting, including headlights, fog lights, and taillights. You’ll also be able to easily access the cargo area with an available power liftgate in either vehicle. The Ford Explorer has several rugged features available, including all-terrain tires and steel underbody protection.
Available Explorer exterior features include:
2026 Ford Explorer
2026 Ford Explorer
The 2026 Ford Explorer and 2026 Toyota Highlander have premium interiors packed with sophisticated technology, ready to keep your family comfortable and connected. Recline into unique cloth, ActiveX®, ActiveX and cloth, or leather seats in the Ford Explorer, or SofTex® or leather in the Toyota Highlander. Stay cozy year-round thanks to available heated and ventilated front seats and heated second-row seats in either SUV. The Ford Explorer offers a reconfigurable interior with the available PowerFold® third-row seats, and uniquely provides multicontour front seats with an Active Motion® massage feature.
The Ford Explorer features the Ford Digital Experience with a 13.2-inch touchscreen, while the Toyota Highlander has the standard 8-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen. You can access wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ and navigation capabilities in either vehicle. Stay on top of key vehicle information with the standard 12.3-inch instrument cluster display in the Ford Explorer or the 7-inch multi-information display in the Toyota Highlander. Enjoy premium audio in the Ford Explorer with its available 14-speaker B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen®, or the 11-speaker JBL® Premium Audio in the Toyota Highlander.
Available Explorer interior and technology features include:
Take on your commutes with capable power found under the hoods of the 2026 Ford Explorer and 2026 Toyota Highlander. The Ford Explorer has two engines available, including the 2.3L EcoBoost® inline four-cylinder (I4) and 3.0L EcoBoost V6 engines, with a maximum of 400 horsepower. The Toyota Highlander has a 2.4L four-cylinder turbo engine and a 2.5L hybrid engine available, which offer a maximum of 265 horsepower. While the Toyota Highlander has all-wheel drive (AWD) standard, the Ford Explorer can have either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or intelligent four-wheel drive (4WD), depending on your traction needs. Both SUVs share a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.
View performance specifications in the following table.
| 2026 Ford Explorer | 2026 Ford Explorer | Model | 2026 Toyota Highlander | 2026 Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L EcoBoost I4 | 3.0L EcoBoost V6 | Engine | 2.4L four-cylinder turbo | 2.5L hybrid |
| 300 HP | 400 HP | Horsepower | 265 HP | 243 net HP |
| 310 lb.-ft. | 415 lb.-ft. | Torque | 310 lb.-ft. | 175 lb.-ft. |
| Ten-speed automatic | Ten-speed automatic | Transmission | Eight-speed automatic | (ECVT) |
| RWD / intelligent 4WD | RWD / intelligent 4WD | Drivetrain | AWD | AWD |
| 20 / 29 | 18 / 25 | MPG (City/Hwy) | 21 / 28 | 35 / 35 |
| 5,000 lbs. | 5,000 lbs. | Max. Towing Capacity | 5,000 lbs. | 3,500 lbs. |
The 2026 Ford Explorer and 2026 Toyota Highlander have roomy three-row designs ready to help you take on your family’s driving needs. Depending on your seat configuration, the Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander can accommodate either seven or eight passengers. Overall, you’ll find more comfortable accommodations in the Ford Explorer with 43 inches of front legroom and 40.7 inches of front headroom, while the Toyota Highlander has 42 inches of front legroom and 39.6 inches of front headroom. When it comes to storage capabilities, the Ford Explorer offers more room with a maximum cargo volume of 85.8 cubic feet compared to the maximum 84.3 cubic feet in the Toyota Highlander.
View interior specifications in the following table.
| 2026 Ford Explorer | Model | 2026 Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| 198.7 in. | Exterior Length | 197.4 in. |
| Seven or eight | Seating Capacity | Seven or eight |
| 40.7 / 40.5 / 38.9 in. | Headroom (First/Second/Third Row) | 39.6 / 39.4 / 36.1 in. |
| 43 / 37.5 / 31.8 in. | Legroom (First/Second/Third Row) | 42 / 38.7 / 28 in. |
| 16.3 cu.-ft. | Cargo Volume Behind Third Row | 16 cu.-ft. |
| 46 cu.-ft. | Cargo Volume Behind Second Row | 48.4 cu.-ft. |
| 85.8 cu.-ft. | Max. Cargo Volume | 84.3 cu.-ft. |
2026 Ford Explorer
2026 Ford Explorer
Bolster confidence and enjoy sophisticated driver assistance capabilities in the 2026 Ford Explorer and 2026 Toyota Highlander. Both SUVs feature expansive safety suites, including Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist+ in the Explorer and Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+ in the Highlander. Shared safety features include rearview cameras, collision detection and avoidance, and lane management assistance. You can also find next-level vision with 360-degree cameras available in either vehicle. The Ford Explorer uniquely has BlueCruise hands-free highway driving capability available, which lets you relax on long stretches of compatible roadways.
Available Ford Explorer safety features include:
The 2026 Explorer offers up to 20 city and 29 highway MPG. The Highlander, when equipped with the hybrid engine, offers up to 35 city and 35 highway MPG.
The 2026 Ford Explorer offers 16.3 cubic feet of cargo volume and 31.8 inches of legroom, whereas the 2026 Toyota Highlander offers 16 cubic feet of cargo volume and 28 inches of legroom.
When you’re ready to take the next step, you can find your 2026 Ford Explorer for sale at Westfield Ford in Countryside, IL. Browse through our inventory selection and see what exciting models we have for you to choose from. Should you have any questions, you’re more than welcome to contact us online or over the phone at (866) 306-5556.
