You’ve whittled down your SUV search and now have your eyes on the Ford Explorer and the Toyota Highlander; two excellent choices, to be sure. Within them are some major differences that might sway your decision, however.
In this 2022 Ford Explorer vs. 2022 Toyota Highlander comparison from Ira Ford Saco, we’ll tell drivers in Saco, Portland, and Scarborough, Maine, what they are so they can make an informed buying decision.
Power comes in many forms with the Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander, but the catalyst is the engine. First, let’s look at the engines the Highlander has.
While those powertrains will heighten your adventures, the Ford not only gives you more options, but it also gives you more strength. In the chart below, we’ll look at the engines in the Explorer…
|
|
2.3L EcoBoost® I-4 |
3.0L EcoBoost® V6 |
3.3L Hybrid |
|
Horsepower |
300 |
400 |
318 |
|
Torque |
310 lb-ft |
415 lb-ft |
322 lb-ft |
As you can see, the most powerful engine of the bunch is the 3.0L EcoBoost® V6. Whichever one you choose, though, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you’ll have more force inside the Explorer than you would if you chose the Highlander.
If you’re deciding between the Explorer and Highlander, odds are you’re going to want to do more than just take to the streets. These rugged performing SUVs allow you to do just that and take heavy loads with you! The Explorer has the advantage, here, as it has a maximum towing capacity of 5,600 pounds while the Highlander can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
When you’re going off into the wilderness or you’re driving on unsavory road conditions, you want a vehicle that can adapt to your surroundings. You’ll find that the Explorer and Highlander have multiple standard drive modes that’ll provide proper handling and torque depending on the condition. Some of the modes you’ll find in these sets of wheels include:
Ford drivers will have the ability to choose from even more modes, including trail, slippery, and tow/haul.
While you’re creating new adventures with your friends and family inside your SUV, why not have your favorite songs playing through a sound system that produces booming noise? The Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander are smart and capable enough to do this and so much more!
At the center of it all are available 12.3-inch touchscreen displays that provide wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ support, along with built-in 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspots that can keep everyone’s device connected without any issues.
The touchscreen in the Ford is a little more intuitive, though, as you’ll have pinch-to-zoom capabilities and can receive over-the-air software updates. The Ford also has a more powerful speaker system, as it fits 14 available speakers from Bang & Olufsen in its cabin. The Highlander gives you 11 speakers from JBL®.
Technology doesn’t stop at infotainment. Each of these SUVs provide amazing safety features that allow you to drive with the utmost confidence, many of which are similar. These include:
In addition to these features, they both offer parking assists, which help make parking in a crowded lot or a busy street easier than ever! That being said, the Active Park Assist 2.0 in the Explorer can do more for you, as it can locate a spot and park itself at the push of a button.
The Front and Rear Parking Assist in the Toyota only provides audio and visual cues when an object is in your way, so you’ll still have to find a parking spot and park the vehicle as you normally would.
When choosing between the Ford Explorer and the Toyota Highlander to take you on adventures in Saco, Portland, and Scarborough, ME, you really can’t go wrong with either. However, Ira Ford Saco thinks the Explorer is the superior vehicle based on stronger powertrains, better capability, and more intuitive technology. To get a better feel for the Explorer, visit us today for a test drive!
