2020 Ford Explorer vs 2020 Toyota Highlander

The 2020 Ford Explorer presented a more handsome profile compared to rivals like the Land Rover Discovery. The latest model had refined its upscale, utilitarian design by slimming down the body panels and adopting a lower, more athletic stance. Key visual highlights included widened headlights, a prominent extra-large grille, and italic "Explorer" lettering on the hood's edge, creating a bold, recognizable face. The Explorer ST version, with its black 21-inch rims, blacked-out trim, red brake calipers, rich Rapid Red paint, and quad exhaust pipes, especially stood out and exuded a striking, sporty appeal.

However, the interior of the Explorer was a different story. Despite its attractive exterior, the cabin fell short of expectations, especially considering the price point. Materials like low-grade vinyl and rough-grained plastic dominated the interior, giving it a cheap feel. Even with some aluminum speaker covers and white stitching to break up the monotony, the overall impression was far from luxurious. Given that the Explorer competed in a segment where $40,000–$60,000 vehicles are expected to offer premium interiors, it struggled to justify its cost against more refined options, such as the similarly-priced Mercedes, Audi, Lexus, and even the more affordable Kia Telluride.

In contrast, the 2020 Toyota Highlander focused on subtle elegance and quality. From an exterior standpoint, the Highlander wasn't particularly exciting. The design tweaks, like the slanted tailgate glass and more pronounced body creases, maintained Toyota's trapezoidal theme but did little to break the monotony. Available paint colors, like the Blueprint on the Limited trim, were perhaps the most attractive aspects of its exterior.

Toyota, however, dedicated considerable effort to the cabin of the Highlander. Fit and finish were exceptional, with silver-painted accents on the armrests, steering wheel, and gear selector highlighting the interior's lines and angles. The 8-inch touchscreen and polished climate controls added a touch of sophistication to the layered dashboard. The color schemes were pleasing and varied, particularly in the Limited trim's three-tone interior. Aside from some hard plastics on the door panels, the interior quality rivaled competitors, standing out for its attention to detail and high-grade materials.

The 2020 Ford Explorer excelled in performance, credited largely to its available engines and rear-wheel-drive (RWD) chassis. The ST trim, tuned by Ford Performance, offered a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that produced 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided smooth and powerful acceleration, supported by precise steering and flat cornering. The all-wheel drive (AWD) option further enhanced its handling dynamics. The Explorer's fuel consumption, though, was less impressive. The ST and Platinum trims with AWD were rated at 18 mpg city, 24 highway, and 20 combined.

The Explorer also featured a 2.3-liter turbo inline-four engine delivering 300 hp and 310 lb-ft, suitable for those opting for a less powerful but still robust performance. A gas-electric hybrid option was available with a net 318 hp but offered minimal fuel economy benefits (23 mpg city, 26 highway, 25 combined) compared to the non-hybrid models.

On the other hand, the 2020 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. Available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and AWD, the engine provided smooth and relatively quiet performance, drawing on its Lexus RX roots. Despite a slower transmission kickdown, the eight-speed automatic managed the power efficiently. However, the Highlander's steering was loose, necessitating frequent adjustments, and its suspension was overly soft, making the ride somewhat floaty at higher speeds.

Fuel economy was one area where the Highlander shone brightly. The FWD model achieved 21 mpg city, 29 highway, and 24 combined, while the AWD recorded 20/27/23. The Highlander's hybrid model, though reviewed separately, boasted up to 36 mpg combined, making it a standout for fuel efficiency in its class.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a spacious and versatile interior, ideal for long trips and family outings. The second row featured a range of amenities, including air vents, USB ports, and a center console for drinks and devices. The expansive panoramic moonroof added to the luxurious feeling. The third row was also accommodating, with six-foot-tall adults able to fit comfortably for shorter journeys.

Cargo capacity in the Explorer was generous: 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second row, and 88 cubic feet with all seats folded. These figures marked an improvement from the previous model, making the Explorer one of the class leaders in cargo space.

CarGurus experts found the 2020 Toyota Highlander equally impressive in its interior versatility. The Highlander could seat eight or seven with second-row captain's chairs (standard on Limited and Platinum trims, optional on XLE). The second-row seats offered generous adjustments and easy access to the third row, though the latter was better suited for shorter or younger passengers.

Where the Highlander stood out was in its family-friendly ergonomics. Front and rear seats were positioned at heights that made getting in and out effortless. The rear doors opened wide for easy entry and exit, and the available three-zone climate control and heated second row in higher trims added to passenger comfort.

Cargo space in the Highlander was also ample: 16 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second, and 84 cubic feet with both rows folded. The vehicle's practicality was enhanced by eight cupholders, four bottle holders, and two dashboard shelves for additional storage.

Technology in the 2020 Ford Explorer included an 8-inch touchscreen with Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi. Higher trims offered a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, which provided vivid and detailed displays but suffered from limited customization options and occasional software hitches.

On the other hand, the 2020 Toyota Highlander's infotainment system left much to be desired. Despite a 12.3-inch touchscreen available on higher trims, the system was criticized for low-resolution graphics, a convoluted interface, and limited use of the screen real estate. Nevertheless, standards like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration were present, ensuring some level of modern connectivity.

The Highlander's 7-inch display in the instrument cluster and a comprehensive 10-inch head-up display were redeeming features, providing clear and useful information. Additionally, the vehicle came equipped with semi-automated driving aids, adaptive cruise control, road sign detection, and automatic high beams.

Safety was a priority in both vehicles with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite coming standard in the 2020 Explorer. This included forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. The Assist+ option added adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking, although it occasionally activated falsely.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, standard in the 2020 Highlander, offered automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optionally, blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and rear emergency braking could be added.

The IIHS awarded the 2020 Highlander as a Top Safety Pick, providing top ratings in all six crash tests. The Explorer, while scoring acceptably, did not achieve the same accolades.