Have you found yourself searching for a capable SUV that can accompany your local commutes around Waldorf, Huntingtown, Clinton, Accokeek, and Upper Marlboro, Maryland? Whether you need something for those family adventures, weekend DIY jobs, or have another need you want to cater to, the Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander are two great options.

Is the Explorer or Highlander the better fit for you? Take the first step in finding out with this Ford Explorer vs. Toyota Highlander comparison from our team at Waldorf Ford.

Measuring Performance

One of the first areas you’ll want to inspect with these two vehicles is their engines and the corresponding outputs they offer. Here, you’ll find both offer impressive performances. However, it is the Ford that edges out the Toyota. The Highlander delivers up to 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque, while the Explorer’s 2.3L EcoBoost® engine pumps out 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.

The Ford also offers a better transmission, coming with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Meanwhile, the Toyota only comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission. So, it’ll be the Ford that can better optimize and distribute the force produced by its engine. This edge allows the Explorer to offer a better towing capacity, as well.

Filling Up the Tank

Sizing Up Dimensions

If you’re in the market for an SUV, the dimensions available to you in both vehicles will also prove important along your decision-making journey. Starting with passenger volume, the Ford Explorer will offer you 152.7 cubic feet. While also quite spacious, the Highlander cannot meet this mark, weighing in with 141.3 cubic feet of passenger volume.

You’ll see a similar disparity when it comes to storage space. The Highlander offers 16 cubic feet of cargo volume behind its third row, while the Ford Explorer offers 18.2 cubic feet of cargo volume under the same conditions.

Comfortable On the Go

While the dimensions found within these two SUVs play a role in their versatility, they are also quite important when it comes to comfort behind the wheel. For instance, the over 40 inches of headroom you have in the front row of both the Highlander and Explorer will have even the tallest drivers sitting comfortably.

You will find that the Explorer does offer a more comfortable all-around ride, especially when looking to its third row. In the Explorer, third-row occupants will enjoy 38.9 inches of headroom and 32.2 inches of legroom. Meanwhile, third-row passengers in the Highlander will only have 36.1 inches of headroom and 27.7 inches of legroom to work with.

Ford Explorer vs. Toyota Highlander: Which Is the Better Fit?

Excited about these SUVs after reviewing this Ford Explorer vs. Toyota Highlander guide? The next step may be getting behind the wheel of one of these vehicles. If you’d like to learn more and test drive the Explorer, reach out to our team at Waldorf Ford.

We’re proud to serve Waldorf, Huntingtown, Clinton, Accokeek, and Upper Marlboro, MD, drivers and hope to assist you soon!

* EPA-estimated city/hwy mpg for the model indicated. See fueleconomy.gov for fuel economy of other engine/transmission combinations. Actual mileage will vary. On plug-in hybrid models and electric models, fuel economy is stated in MPGe. MPGe is the EPA equivalent measure of gasoline fuel efficiency for electric mode operation.