2023 Toyota Highlander vs. Ford Explorer: Which is Better?

The 2023 Toyota Highlander is a midsize crossover SUV with a spacious interior and powerful engine options. It comes as a gasoline-only version or as a hybrid for increased fuel economy. Another capable and popular four-door midsize SUV, the 2023 Ford Explorer, also comes with a hybrid version and several trim options. To help you decide which of these SUVs is the best fit for your driving needs and lifestyle, explore this list of features our team at Red McCombs Toyota in San Antonio, Texas, has put together for you.

Exterior Features

Both the Highlander and the Explorer have similar-looking exteriors with bold, sporty designs.

Toyota Highlander

The 2023 Highlander has a very distinct appearance with its massive front grille, wing-shaped LED headlights bracketing the Toyota badging, and deep vertical air scoops under the headlights. Your eye is drawn to the sculpted door panels, sloped roofline, and handsome multispoke wheels.

Toyota offers the Highlander in several trim levels, with six gasoline trims and five hybrid trims. If you choose the base gasoline-only 2023 L Highlander trim, the MSRP is $36,620 and runs up to $49,475 for the top-tier Platinum trim. When you move up to the 2023 hybrid trims, the MSRP starts at $40,620 for the base Hybrid LE and climbs to $51,075 for the top Hybrid Limited trim.

Ford Explorer

You’ll find similar features on the 2023 Ford Explorer with a large front grille and rectangular-shaped LED headlights. You’ll notice the sleek lines that flow from the front of this SUV that end in the squared-off rear hatch with large LED taillights. Ford offers the Explorer in eight trim levels with two hybrid options. The base Explorer trim has an MSRP of $36,760, and the top-tier Platinum trim comes in at $58,820. For the hybrid versions, the Hybrid Limited has a starting MSRP of $53,005, and the Platinum has an MSRP of $53,820.

Performance and Capability

The 2023 Toyota Highlander and Ford Explorer offer great performance and amazing capability.

Toyota Highlander

All trims of the gasoline-only Highlander come with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 265 horsepower under the hood. A smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission pairs with this mighty engine. Front-wheel drive comes standard across the lineup with the option to upgrade to the available dynamic torque vectoring all-wheel-drive system.

If you plan on taking your Highlander on backcountry adventures, consider choosing the XSE trim with its unique sports-tuned suspension system. You can easily tow a boat or small trailer with your Highlander, which has a 5,000-pound capacity when properly equipped. The Highlander gets a combined driving estimate of 25 mpg.

The Hybrid versions of the Highlander come with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a hybrid electric motor and continuously variable transmission with an output of 243 horsepower. This system gives this SUV a combined 36 mpg.

Ford Explorer

Under the hood of the lower trims of the Explorer, you’ll find a 2.3-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine with an output of 300 horsepower. The upper trims get a turbocharged 3-liter six-cylinder engine that delivers 400 horsepower, and the hybrids get a 3.3-liter hybrid system with an output of 318 horsepower. All engines pair with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Rear-wheel drive is standard, or you can opt for the all-wheel-drive system. When properly equipped, the Explorer can haul up to 5,600 pounds, and the hybrid version can tow up to 5,000 pounds. The gas version of the Explorer achieves 27 mpg combined, and the hybrids achieve 29 mpg combined.

Interior Design

You’ll find lots of contemporary features and room inside both of these three-row midsize SUVs.

Toyota Highlander

You’ll notice the well-appointed features inside the cabin of the roomy 2023 Highlander, which has up to 84.3 cubic feet of storage space with the two back seats folded down. A manual liftgate comes standard across the lineup, with the option for a hands-free power liftgate. The Highlander can seat between seven and eight people, and the upper trims come with several luxury features, such as leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer can seat six to seven people, depending on the seating configuration, with up to 87.8 cubic feet of storage space. As you move up the trim levels, you’ll find luxurious features such as ultra-supple heated and ventilated front leather seats and tri-zone automatic climate control.

Technology and Entertainment

While the Highlander and Explorer are capable SUVs, they also have modern technology you’re sure to appreciate.

Toyota Highlander

Toyota equips the 2023 Highlander with its new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system featuring an 8-inch standard touch screen or an available 12.3-inch touch screen, which is standard on the upper trims. For entertainment, you can sync your smartphone with the infotainment system via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto and listen to your playlists with the optional 1,200-watt 11-speaker JBL premium sound system.

It’s a breeze to charge your devices with the available wireless charging pad and the five USB ports. Driver-assist features that the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ technology comes with include a pre-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic high-beam headlights, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

Ford Explorer

The 2023 Explorer comes with Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch or 10.1-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Ford equips all but the base trim of the Explorer with a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. With a subscription to FordPass Connect, you can get a Wi-Fi hotspot and remote functions. With Ford Co-Pilot360 driver-assist technology, the Explorer comes with a lane mitigation system, rear cross-traffic alert, and a forward-collision warning with emergency braking.

Take the Family for an Adventure in the 2023 Toyota Highlander

While both the 2023 Toyota Highlander and 2023 Ford Explorer have top-notch features, bold styling, and roomy interiors, the Highlander stands out as a fully capable and reliable SUV that you’ll feel comfortable taking on city streets and off-road. Stop by our dealership at Red McCombs Toyota in San Antonio, Texas, today to learn more about the handsome 2023 Toyota Highlander and take one for a test drive. Our finance team  can help you find the perfect auto loan to fit your budget and lifestyle needs.