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Best Car Deals for April 20252023 Toyota Highlander vs Ford Explorer
It’s a battle of the family-friendly three-row crossovers in this head-to-head comparison of the 2023 Toyota Highlander vs. 2023 Ford Explorer.
Which is the Best Family Friendly SUV?
Competition is fierce in the three-row crossover segment as evidenced by this 2023 Toyota Highlander vs. 2023 Ford Explorer comparison. Both SUVs offer hybrid and traditional powertrains, long lists of technology, the latest advanced driver aids, and more amenities than you can shake a stick at.
The 4th-gen Highlander rolled out in 2020, the same year that Ford debuted its 6th-gen Explorer. Targeted squarely at families that need to tote occupants and stuff with a little trailering on the weekend, these mid-sizers have been competing head-to-head for a very long time. So, which one does it best? Read on to find out!
Specs
The standard powertrain on the 2023 Highlander is a turbocharged 2.4L inline-4 coupled with an 8-speed automatic that spins the front wheels. It makes 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, which is respectable, but sub-par compared to the Explorer. Fuel economy measures 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway with both figures dropping by 1 mpg when the optional AWD kit is fitted.
A hybrid power plant – optional on LE, XLE, Limited, and Platinum or standard on the Bronze Edition – blends a 2.5L four-pot with 2 electric motors and a battery pack to generate a combined 243 hp. This setup utilizes regenerative braking, offers a dedicated electric mode for short distances, and boasts fuel efficiency figures of 36 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. Adding AWD drops only the city value by 1 mpg.
Ford’s marginally smaller displacement base engine is a turbocharged 2.3L EcoBoost 4-cylinder that pairs with a 10-speed automatic to drive the rear wheels. It’s rated for 300 hp and 310 torques, offers AWD, and comes in at 21/28 mpg for city/highway driving in RWD. ST and King Ranch models boast a twin-turbo 3.0L V6 punched up to 400 horses and 415 lb-ft of twist. Naturally, fuel economy suffers with ratings of 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.
Opting for the hybrid-powered Platinum Explorer brings a hybridized 3.3L V6 with 318 hp and 322 lb-ft of torque capable of 27/28 mpg in city/highway driving. Like the other two powertrains, a 10-speed automatic transmission is standard and the optional AWD system drops fuel economy by 1-2 mpg across the board.
Driving and Performance
With its RWD platform, the Explorer will generally feel more planted on windy roads than the FWD Highlander. And in ST trim, the Explorer is in a different league with a sport-tuned suspension. Not only does the Hihglander not offer a comparable performance perspective, but it also doesn’t have an option to match the Explorer Timberline.
Featuring 8.7 inches of ground clearance, steel skid plates, an off-road-tuned suspension, all-terrain tires, and Hill Descent Control, the Timberline can do a fair bit of rough roading. The picture doesn’t improve for the Toyota Highlander in the towing department either, something you can learn more about here.
All 2023 Highlanders come with trailer sway control and gas-powered models can tow up to 5,000 pounds, but the hybrid powertrain is only good for 3,500 pounds. Ford also makes trailer sway control standard Explorer equipment and in hybrid form, it can tow 5,000 pounds. Stepping up to the twin-turbo powertrain moves the towing capacity needle up to 5,600 pounds.
Comfort and Interior
Both SUVs in this 2023 Toyota Highlander vs 2023 Ford Explorer matchup come standard with 3 rows of seating, but technically the Highlander can seat 8, while the Explorer can manage 7. That’s really an on-paper advantage though as only 3 very small humans would be able to squeeze into the Toyota’s 3rd-row bench. Each model also offers 2nd-row captain’s chairs that reduce overall seating by 1 position.
But the Ford is 4 inches longer than the Toyota and that comes with notable interior advantages. For instance, both crossovers have 39 inches of 2nd-row legroom, but the Explorer has an additional 4 inches of 3rd-row legroom. As well, the Explorer maxes out at 88 cubic feet of cargo space to the 84 in the Highlander and can squeeze an extra 2 cubes of stuff behind the 3rd row. Climatized front seats and heated rear seats are offered by both automakers, but once again Ford steps ahead by offering massaging front seats.
One area the Toyota takes the podium is with infotainment. Both SUVs come standard with an 8-inch touchscreen display and smartphone mirroring for Apple and Android devices. But Toyota’s integration is wireless and while the Explorer can be upgraded to a 10-inch display, the Highlander offers a 12-inch setup plus a fully-digital gauge cluster.
Trims and Features
The list of trims and features is exceptionally deep for these SUVs, so be sure to consult our in-depth reviews of the 2023 Toyota Highlander and 2023 Ford Explorer for more detail. But in general, the Highlander costs less across the board as it starts at about $38,000 for a base L model.
Like all 2023 Highlanders, forward collision mitigation, a lane-keeping system , and adaptive cruise control are standard. As are LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, cloth seats, triple-zone automatic climate control, and a 6-speaker stereo.
For $40,415, LE trim brings a power liftgate, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. For another $3,000, the XLE adds a moonroof, leatherette upholstery, heated front seats, and a wireless phone charging pad. The $45,000 XSE variant is sporty-looking with 20-inch black rims and the option for Cockpit Red leather.
Running $47,775, the Bronze Edition is hybrid-only and fitted with exclusive bronze-colored bits and unique seat fabric. For nearly the same money, a Highlander Limited is nicely equipped with a hands-free liftgate, leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, an 11-speaker audio system, and parking sensors front and rear.
The fully-loaded Platinum model approaches $51,000 for which you get rain-sensing wipers, adaptive headlights, a panoramic moonroof, a heated second row, special leather upholstery, a head-up display, and a surround-view monitor.
Ford’s 2023 Explorer starts a bit higher at $39,000 for the base model that includes forward collision mitigation, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, a power liftgate, triple zone automatic climate control, and rear parking sensors. For just about $41,000, XLT trim adds heated and power-adjustable front seats, more USB ports, and captain’s chairs.
The ST-Line is well-equipped, as it should be for a bit more than $48,000, with power-folding side mirrors, ActiveX upholstery, a heated steering wheel, navigation, a wireless charging pad, surround view monitoring, and automatic cruise control. Running $49,310, Explorer Limited sports 20-inch rims, leather seats, a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo, ventilation for the front seats, and heat for the rears.
Timberlines are ready to go overlanding with more ground clearance, knobby tires, skid plates, and an off-road-tuned suspension that starts just over $51,000. For lead foots, check out the $56,510 ST model with its thundering powertrain, sweet ST logos, and quad chrome exhaust tips.
Atop the 2023 Explorer lineup are the $56,000 Platinum and similarly priced King Ranch. The Platinum trim level comes with the hybrid powertrain, 21-inch rims, fancy upholstery, the option for a 14-speaker stereo, and an automatic parking system – the latter of which is one of our favorite vehicle features. With the King Ranch, it’s a Western-themed bonanza of two-tone looks, exclusive Del Rio leather, and real wood trim.
The Verdict
The 2023 Toyota Highlander vs. 2023 Ford Explorer is a fairly lopsided contest in favor of the Ford. Aside from a larger available infotainment screen, a more efficient hybrid powertrain, and some models that cost less, the Highlander isn’t quite on the same level as the Explorer.
With more standard power, a LOT more optional power, a bigger cabin, the Timberline’s overlanding abilities, and a higher towing capacity, the 2023 Explorer is a compelling SUV. It can’t match the Highlander’s 2 years of complimentary maintenance as Ford offers none, but the rest of the warranty coverage is largely identical. Our money would be on the Ford.
