2026 Ford Explorer vs. Toyota Highlander Exterior Design

Distinctive styling sets both the 2026 Ford Explorer and 2026 Toyota Highlander apart, each delivering confident road presence with its own design signature. The Explorer offers 18-, 20-, and 21-inch designs; the Highlander features 18- or 20-inch wheels. Both models feature available LED lighting and an optional power liftgate. The Highlander features an optional power tilting and sliding moonroof with sunshade, while a panoramic fixed glass moonroof with a power shade is available on the Explorer. For trail-ready capability, the Explorer offers available steel underbody protection, front tow hooks, and all-terrain tires.

Available shared exterior features include:

• 18- and 20-in. wheels
• LED fog lamps and taillamps
• Automatic high-beam headlamps
• Power liftgate
• Power, heated exterior mirrors with turn signal indicators

Available Explorer exterior features include:

• 21-in. wheels
• LED headlamps with courtesy delay and Autolamp
• Security approach lamps on side view mirrors
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• All-terrain tires
• Roof rack side rails
• Panoramic fixed glass moonroof with power shade
• Unique front tow hooks
• Steel under-body protection
• Black-painted roof
• Class III Trailer Tow Package

Available Highlander exterior features include:

• LED projector headlamps
• Roof rails
• Power tilt/slide moonroof with sunshade
• Dual chrome exhaust tips

2026 Ford Explorer vs. Toyota Highlander Interior Design & Technology

Discover plush interior comfort and other premium amenities in the 2026 Ford Explorer and 2026 Toyota Highlander. Both models offer leather seat upholstery options. Indulge in a range of other seat upholstery options like unique cloth and ActiveX® in the Explorer and SofTex® in the Highlander. Heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel are optional in either model. Settle into relaxed comfort and convenience in the Explorer with multicontour front seats with Active Motion® massage and available PowerFold® third-row seats. Provide optimal cabin comfort in either model with tri-zone automatic temperature control.

Cutting-edge technologies are at your fingertips in both SUVs, keeping you connected on the go. Enjoy the standard Ford Digital Experience with a 13.2-inch touchscreen in the Explorer and an available 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen in the Highlander. Both support smartphone integration with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, along with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Explorer offers an available 14-speaker B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen®, while the Highlander features an available 11-speaker JBL® premium audio system.

Available shared interior design and technology features include:

• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Heated rear seats
• Ten-way power driver’s seat
• Eight-way power front passenger’s seat
• Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Tri-zone automatic temperature control
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• 12.3-in. instrument cluster display
• Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™
• Head-up display
• 12V outlets

Available Explorer interior design and technology features include:

• Unique cloth, ActiveX and cloth, ActiveX and Miko®, leather, or leather seat upholstery with tri-diamond micro-perforated inserts
• Multicontour front seats with Active Motion
• PowerFold third-row seats
• Second-row captain’s seats with E-Z Entry and armrests
• Active noise cancellation
• Ford Digital Experience with 13.2-in. center touchscreen
• 14-speaker B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen
• 110V/150W AC power outlet
• USB ports in first, second, and third rows

Available Highlander interior design and technology features include:

• SofTex or leather seat upholstery
• 60/40 split, fold-flat second-and third-row seats
• Ambient interior lighting
• 12.3-in Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen
• 11-speaker JBL premium audio system
• Three 120V outlets
• Five USB ports

2026 Ford Explorer vs. Toyota Highlander Engine Specs & Fuel Economy

Find confident capability in both the 2026 Ford Explorer and 2026 Toyota Highlander, each offering two athletic engine configurations. The Explorer boasts a 2.3L EcoBoost® inline four-cylinder (I4) engine and 3.0L EcoBoost V6 engine. The Highlander features 2.4L four-cylinder turbo and 2.5L hybrid engine options. The Explorer delivers up to 400 horsepower and up to 29 highway MPG, while the Highlander brings a maximum 265 horsepower and 35 highway MPG. Both SUVs offer a 5,000-pound towing capacity; the 2.5L hybrid engine in the Highlander has a 3,500-pound tow rating.

View performance specifications for both models in the accompanying table.

2026 Ford Explorer vs. Toyota Highlander Size & Cargo Space

Three spacious rows of seating are standard in the 2026 Ford Explorer and 2026 Toyota Highlander. Both models seat up to seven when equipped with second-row captain’s chairs. The Highlander increases passenger capacity to eight when configured with a second-row bench seat. The Explorer also offers a second-row 35/30/35 split-fold-flat bench seat. Find increased front- and third-row legroom in the Explorer. While the Highlander has a slight edge in cargo volume behind the second row with 48.4 cubic feet, the Explorer prevails in available space with 85.8 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume.

View interior specifications for both models in the accompanying table.

2026 Ford Explorer vs. Toyota Highlander Safety Options & Features

Confidence comes standard in the 2026 Ford Explorer and 2026 Toyota Highlander, with a range of advanced safety technologies in both. Each model features its own safety suite, including the Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist+ in the Explorer and Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+ in the Highlander. An array of safety features is shared by both models, including a 360-degree camera, rearview camera, and blind spot monitoring. The Explorer is equipped with available BlueCruise hands-free highway driving capability for added ease on extended journeys.

Available shared safety features include:

• 360-degree camera
• Pre-collision assist
• Lane keeping system
• Blind spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert
• Rearview camera
• Automatic emergency braking
• Rear parking sensors
• Trailer sway control
• Speed sign recognition
• Hill start assist

Available Explorer safety features include:

• Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+
  • Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centering
  • Intersection assist
  • Rear cross-traffic braking
  • Rear parking sensors
  • Post-collision braking
• BlueCruise hands-free highway driving capability
• SecuriLock® passive anti-theft system
• Perimeter alarm

2026 Ford Explorer vs. Toyota Highlander FAQs

Which infotainment and driver assist systems do the 2026 Ford Explorer and 2026 Toyota Highlander offer?

The 2026 Ford Explorer features the standard Ford Digital Experience with a 13.2-inch center touchscreen and the BlueCruise hands-free highway driving capability. The 2026 Toyota Highlander offers a standard eight-inch or available 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen and a ten-inch head-up display.

Does the 2026 Ford Explorer or the 2026 Toyota Highlander have more trim options?

The 2026 Ford Explorer offers six trim options, while the 2026 Toyota Highlander features seven trims, which include three hybrid trim configurations.

2026 Ford Explorer vs. Toyota Highlander For Sale in Bainbridge, GA

Riverbend Ford is where you’ll find the 2026 Ford Explorer for sale. View our inventory to find the Explorer trim that drives your passion for the open road. Schedule a test drive to get behind the wheel at our Ford dealership in Bainbridge, GA. Take advantage of an attractive Explorer offer. Questions? Call us at (229) 246-0860 or message us online.