2016 Toyota Highlander vs 2016 Ford Explorer

Are you in charge of the neighborhood carpool to football practice? Do you enjoy family adventures and road trips? When it comes to family, there are few automotive segments better equipped than the midsize SUV segment and the 2016 Toyota Highlander is at the head of the class. A versatile interior, athletic engine options, a sleek style and an arsenal of standard features allow the Toyota Highlander to outdistance competitors. Take a closer look at the best-in-class pedigree of the Toyota Highlander against elite competition in a 2016 Toyota Highlander vs 2016 Ford Explorer comparison.

Available in four loaded trim levels - Highlander LE, LE Plus, XLE and Limited - the Toyota Highlander can be tailored to fit your needs. Three reliable and energetic engine options are available when you choose the Highlander and include a standard 2.7-liter four-cylinder a 3.5-liter V-6 and a Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain. These thrilling engine options are complemented by a sleek style and a versatile interior that has a standard Toyota Entune multimedia system at its epicenter. With a vivid 6.1-inch touchscreen, hands-free Bluetooth connectivity and an integrated backup camera, stock Toyota Highlander models provide many standard elements that competitors cannot match.

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2016 Toyota Highlander vs 2016 Ford Explorer
2016 Toyota Highlander VS 2016 Ford Explorer
$30,490 Starting Price $31,050
270-Hp 3.5-Liter V-6 Engine 290-Hp 3.5-Liter V-6
7-8 Passenger Capacity 7
Yes Available Hybrid No

Family-Friendly Toyota Highlander Outclasses the Ford Explorer

When it comes to the midsize SUV segment and its family-friendly representatives, price and affordability are key elements. In this category, the Toyota Highlander proves to be a more budget-friendly option in the 2016 Toyota Highlander vs 2016 Ford Explorer comparison. A more affordable price tag for the Toyota Highlander is a trend that continues throughout each model lineup with top-of-the-line Toyota Highlander Limited grades starting at $40,915 compared to the Ford Explorer Platinum priced at $52,465.

In terms of what is under the hood, the Ford Explorer puts an emphasis on power and performance while the Toyota Highlander design provides the best of both worlds. Stock Toyota Highlander editions employ a 185-horsepower 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that can be upgraded to the fan favorite 270-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6. With the potent 3.5-liter V-6 under the hood, the Toyota Highlander makes an impressive 19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. What sets the Toyota Highlander apart from the Ford competition is an available hybrid powertrain that blends the power of a 3.5-liter V-6 with a high-torque electric motor to make 280 horsepower in addition to 27 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

Base Ford Explorer models employ a 290-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 that provides a lackluster 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. Additional turbocharged EcoBoost variants improve power output and fuel-economy ratings, though none of the Ford Explorer engine options will deliver the frugal efficiency numbers of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

Another advantage that the Toyota Highlander possesses in this Toyota vs Ford comparison is a more versatile interior. Ford Explorer models make room for seven passengers in a cramped cabin. Toyota Highlander editions possess an incredible 158.7 cubic feet of passenger space and can be equipped with luxurious second-row captain’s chairs that limit seating to seven or a second-row bench seat that will expand passenger space to eight.

Red 2016 Toyota Highlander in the Driveway
2016 Toyota Highlander Cargo Space
2016 Toyota Highlander Rear Hatch
Toyota Highlander Interior Dashboard
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