2026 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Toyota Highlander
Your busy life may include taking the kids to school and activities, traveling to New York’s exciting attractions, or enjoying some rare alone time, and you need an SUV that can keep up. You’ve probably found yourself debating between the 2026 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Toyota Highlander because these trusted SUV names are what countless drivers turn to when searching for a three-row crossover.
The Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander are considered two of the forerunners in the modern family adventure SUV class, with the Explorer debuting in 1991 and the Highlander in 2001. But their paths have diverged over the decades, and the SUV you should buy depends on what you want or need from a large vehicle.
Do you want your do-it-all SUV to actually do it all? Do you want to have a blast while doing it all and feel safe while doing it? Then the 2026 Ford Explorer is the right vehicle for you. With its added power, large and flexible interior, and high-level technology, this classic SUV has staked its place in modern times.
| 2026 Ford Explorer | VS | 2026 Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| $39,260[a] | MSRP | $45,870 |
| 295 | Horsepower | 265 |
| 31.8 in | Third-Row Legroom | 28 in |
| Yes | Hands-Free Driving | No |
Powertrains and Capability
A three-row SUV can’t feel weak, or else it defeats the purpose of buying a large vehicle. While the 2026 Toyota Highlander prioritizes efficiency at the expense of power, the 2026 Ford Explorer remembers why people look for a big SUV, reconnecting with this segment’s past as it rumbles toward the future.
The Explorer Is More Powerful and Exciting
While each of these SUVs has two powertrains, that’s the only way they’re comparable. The base 2.4L turbo-four and eight-speed automatic transmission in the 2026 Highlander produce an uninspiring 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Somehow, the hybrid powertrain is even worse, dropping to 243 hp. It also uses a CVT, which has drawn criticism for unengaging dynamics and frequent maintenance needs.
Meanwhile, Ford puts the excitement back in three-row SUVs. The standard 2.3L EcoBoost turbo-four is smaller than Toyota’s yet makes 35 more horsepower with equal torque. Then there’s the 3.0L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6. Available on select trim levels, it cranks output up to 385 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. Each has a 10-speed automatic transmission for added pop.
Furthermore, while Toyota has gone exclusively all-wheel drive on the 2026 Highlander for foul-weather driving, Ford has a rear-wheel drive option if you prefer its performance-inspired handling on dry roads. The Explorer also maintains a 5,000-pound towing capacity for each engine to haul your equipment and supplies, while Toyota’s hybrid powertrain drops to a 3,500-pound capacity.
The Explorer Has Legitimate Off-Road and Sport Capability
Toyota slimmed down its trim lineup for the 2026 Highlander, and the results are kind of bland. The XSE is a feeble attempt at sportiness, and there’s no off-roading grade. Everything is geared towards on-road driving with varying levels of sophistication.
When you choose the 2026 Explorer, you get the beyond-everyday options you crave. Ford introduced the Explorer Tremor this year, giving its most famous SUV true off-roading performance. Features such as standard all-wheel drive and all-terrain tires, a one-inch suspension lift, a limited-slip rear differential, and steel skid plates provide trail-ready performance without hurting on-road manners.
Do you prefer to charge up your adrenaline on the pavement? The 2026 Ford Explorer ST does the trick. Its beefy V6 engine is backed up by a sport-tuned suspension, large 21-inch wheels, and SelectShift paddle shifters. It looks like a “muscle SUV,” too, with blackout body accents and quad chrome exhaust tips.
Comfort and Amenities
Of course, given that both the Explorer and Highlander are frequently used as family SUVs, they should be well-equipped for all ages. Does the 2026 Explorer’s emphasis on fun come at the expense of practical features and comforts? The answer is a definite no, as it again rides higher than the Highlander.
The Explorer Has More Space
When you’re loading a lot of people into a vehicle, there needs to be plenty of room for everyone. The 2026 Explorer provides 43 inches of legroom in the first row, 37.5 inches in the second row, and 31.8 inches in the third row. The Highlander is decent in the first and second rows at 42 and 38.7 inches, but the puny 28-inch third row will leave even young kids feeling cramped.
Ford’s three-row SUV is superior in cargo space, too. The Explorer maxes out at 85.8 cubic feet behind the first row, while the Highlander has 84.3 cubic feet. There is also significantly more cargo room with all three rows of seats upright, so you can still fit a lot when you have a car full of passengers. Ford also offers a cargo management system, soft-sided organizer, and other ways to pack efficiently.
There Are More Ways to Configure Your Explorer
Both SUVs offer a lot of great amenities, from ventilated front seats to auto-dimming mirrors. However, you deserve to have the amenities you want without paying for things you don’t need. With more trim levels plus over a dozen factory packages, the 2026 Explorer offers more opportunities to get the amenities and convenience features just right.
Dial the perfect level of adjustability into your driver’s seat with six-way, eight-way, and 10-way options. Get your Explorer with or without a panoramic fixed glass roof. Choose from several steering wheel designs and seven different seating upholstery combinations. From the just-the-basics Explorer Active 100A to the all-the-frills Explorer Platinum, you have full control.
For good measure, several features key to Capital Region drivers are more readily available on the 2026 Explorer. Second-row heated seats are standard on four trim levels versus one on the 2026 Highlander. There is also greater availability of rain-sensing windshield wipers, power-folding third-row seats, roof rail crossbars, noise-reducing front windows, and other add-ons.
Technology and Safety
Every driver and their loved ones deserve the best infotainment, connectivity, and safety technology regardless of the destination. Despite Toyota’s reputation in these crucial areas, the 2026 Ford Explorer continues to outperform the Highlander, giving everyone the best possible experience.
The Explorer Goes Bigger on Infotainment
Your large SUV shouldn’t have puny screens, and Ford knows it. Every 2026 Explorer comes with a 13.2-inch Ford Digital Experience infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital gauge display. The 2026 Highlander has a mere eight-inch infotainment screen on lower trims and a 12.3-inch screen on higher trims—and the base XLE doesn’t even come with a digital gauge cluster.
Both models come with standard technology like wireless smartphone integration and SiriusXM, but Ford goes the extra mile. A minimum of six USB charging ports is standard, with an option for two third-row ports. And while Toyota only provides 30 days or 3 GB with its complimentary 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, the Ford Connectivity Package includes one year of unlimited 5G data plus onboard navigation, video conferencing, and more.
Then there are the sound systems that let you enjoy your music and shows. A six-speaker system is standard on both SUVs, but Ford has more ways to upgrade. The Highlander’s 11-speaker JBL system is only standard on the range-topping Platinum. With the Explorer, you receive a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system on the ST-Line, Tremor, and ST, while the Explorer Platinum uses a 14-speaker system.
The Explorer Is a Safety Leader
You should feel confident whenever you’re in a large SUV, and so should your passengers. Both SUVs have five-star NHTSA overall safety ratings, but only the 2026 Ford Explorer earned Top Safety Pick recognition from the IIHS. It’s one of the industry’s highest honors for crash testing and accident avoidance, and a designation the Highlander wasn’t deemed worthy of.
Most of the driver assistance technology is similar, with Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ and Toyota SafetySense 2.5+ offering advanced features such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and lane-keeping. But Ford also offers its BlueCruise hands-free driving on all trims except the base Active 100A, with several packages for guided highway driving.
Find the 2026 Ford Explorer at DePaula Ford
While the 2026 Highlander is a dependable, reasonable vehicle, you’re not one to settle for ordinary. The Ford Explorer elevates your driving on city streets, open highways, and remote trails. Not only that, but most 2026 Ford Explorer trim levels cost considerably less for what you get, and the Explorer is one of the most reliable SUVs in its segment.
If you’re ready to test-drive the 2026 Ford Explorer, visit DePaula Ford today. We are the leading Ford dealer for Albany, Troy, Rensselaer, and the surrounding areas. Our sales team is happy to show you the latest Explorer inventory and help you decide on the right trim level and packages. Or enjoy a convenient online shopping experience with model research tools and more.
As the home of the DePaula New Vehicle Advantage, you’ll get the best value from your 2026 Ford Explorer. Perks include a lifetime engine warranty, complimentary New York State inspections, complimentary window chip repairs, and enrollment in the Ford Rewards program. We’ll even deliver your 2026 Explorer to your driveway the day you buy it so you can start your ownership adventure!
