After coming from a full redesign in 2020, the Ford Explorer returns with minor changes for 2021. It’s a midsize SUV that delivers a smooth, comfortable ride with its powerful engine and three rows of seating. The 2021 Toyota Highlander also received a full redesign for 2020, gaining few updates this model year. Let’s see how the two compare.
Design
The 2021 Ford Explorer is a midsize three-row SUV with seating for up to seven, with optional second-row captain’s chairs. The front seats are spacious and comfortable, but the rear seats provide a tighter fit for passengers. Cargo space gives you 18.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 47.9 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and up to 87.8 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded down. Cloth upholstery and power-adjustable front seats are standard; and leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, front sport seats, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, power-folding third-row seats, and massaging front seats are available. A power liftgate comes standard; an available hands-free liftgate and a cargo management system that adds under-floor storage and a reversible cargo floor is an option. The Explorer is available in base, XLT, Limited, ST, and Platinum trim levels.
The 2021 Toyota Highlander is a midsize SUV that seats up to eight people in three rows with standard three-person bench seats for the second and third row. The XLE, Limited, and Platinum trims come with middle-row captain’s chairs that drop the capacity to seven. The middle row slides and reclines for adjustable legroom. The third row has less space and is better for smaller passengers. Additional standard features include cloth upholstery and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Available features include synthetic or genuine leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a four-way power-adjustable passenger seat, heated second-row seats, second-row sunshades, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and a heated steering wheel. Cargo space is limited to 16 cubic feet of space behind the third-row seats. If you’re not transporting any passengers, you can get up to 84.3 cubic feet with both rows folded down. The Highlander comes in six trims, offering a new XSE trim: L, LE, XLE, XSE, Limited and Platinum.
Safety and Technology
The Ford Explorer has an impressive list of safety and tech features, including a highly rated SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touch screen that quickly connects to your smartphone with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Six speakers, satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and four USB ports are also standard. Available features include a 10.1-inch touch screen with a portrait layout, a 12.3-inch customizable driver display, a 14-speaker Bank & Olufsen sound system, a rear-seat entertainment system, and wireless device charging. For added assistance, the Explorer comes with Ford Co-Pilot360 technology and driver-assist features to add ease and safety to your driving. Standard safety features include blind spot monitoring, rearview camera, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and auto high-beam headlamps.
The Highlander’s features plenty of standard and available technology equipment including an 8-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, Android Auto, five USB ports, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hot spot, satellite radio, and a six-speaker stereo. Available infotainment features include a 12.3-inch touch screen, wireless device charging, navigation, and an 11-speaker JBL premium stereo. An auto-dimming rearview mirror, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster display, and Driver Easy Speak that amplifies the driver’s voice through speakers to the back rows are also available. For safety on the road, the Highlander comes with standard driver assistance features that include forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, automatic high-beam headlights, lane trace assist, traffic sign recognition, and a rearview camera.
Power
The Ford’s standard turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 hp comes with a smooth and sturdy 10-speed automatic transmission and a rear-wheel-drive platform. There are two available twin-turbocharged V6s that will put out 365 and 400 horsepower and are also paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel drive comes standard in the two highest trims, but you can add four-wheel drive to the other trims for added cost. The base engine is not short on power, but the V6 options are quicker. Estimated fuel economy is 21/28 mpg in the city and on the highway with its base engine and 18/26 mpg city/highway with the twin-turbo V6 engines. When properly equipped, the Explorer can tow up to 5,600 pounds. The base Explorer has a starting price of $33,000 and ranges to a starting price of $59,000 for the Platinum.
The Highlander comes standard with a 295-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine, with 263 pound-feet of torque. While this is the only engine offered, it delivers sharp acceleration and gets up to higher speeds easily. This engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel-drive is available. It gets an average of 21/29 mpg city and highway with front-wheel-drive and 20/27 mpg in the city and on the highway with all-wheel-drive. When properly equipped, the Highlander can tow up to 5,000 pounds. The starting price for the L trim is $34,810 and ranges to a starting price of $46,965 for the range-topping Highlander Platinum.
Conclusion
The 2021 Ford Explorer will carry your heavy load and cargo, while delivering a smooth and comfortable ride, at a higher price tag. The 2021 Toyota Highlander comes with some quality features, including a great performance, comfortable cabin with sliding and reclining second-row seats, and a long list of features, but it can’t beat Explorer’s power and towing.