2025 Ford Explorer vs 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was a standout in Toyota's lineup of crossovers and SUVs, offering a range of options from all-gas to hybrid-powered models. Built on the TNGA-K platform, it shared its underpinnings with the regular Highlander, RAV4, Sienna, and Camry, distinguishing itself from the body-on-frame Sequoia. With a length of 5,115 millimetres and a wheelbase of 2,950 mm, it was larger than competitors like the Kia Telluride, providing a spacious interior. Its design, inspired by rugged vehicles, featured a blockier style with a trapezoidal grille and narrow headlights, reminiscent of the 4Runner. The Grand Highlander was available in three trims: XLE, Limited, and Platinum, with interior options ranging from black Softex synthetic leather to real leather in higher trims. It offered a comfortable and well-built interior, making it an excellent choice for road trips.

The 2025 Ford Explorer, with its refreshed design, continued to impress with its balanced proportions and sleek appearance. The front end was restyled, giving it a wider and more rugged look, while new LED taillights and wheel designs added to its appeal. Inside, the Explorer saw significant improvements, with upgraded materials and design, making it competitive in its segment. Ford reduced the available trim levels in Canada to four, including the new base trim Active, sporty ST-Line, luxurious Platinum, and performance-tuned ST. Prices ranged from $52,830 to $71,430. During a Ford-sponsored event, the ST-Line with extra-cost blue paint and additional packages was a highlight, offering a delightful ride and handling experience.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options, starting with a 2.4-litre turbo four-cylinder engine producing 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. For those prioritizing fuel efficiency, a 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid option delivered 245 combined net horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. At the top, the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max powertrain boasted 362 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. All models in Canada came with all-wheel drive, and the Hybrid Max provided impressive acceleration with a zero-to-60 time of 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander was known for its solid brakes and adequate acceleration, though its steering feel was somewhat numb. It offered three drive modes—Sport, Eco, and Normal—with additional modes for gas-only and Hybrid Max models.

The 2025 Ford Explorer featured two EcoBoost engines. The turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine, standard on most trims, generated 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The ST and optional Platinum trim came with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. All Explorers in Canada had a 10-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The Explorer's turbo four provided quick acceleration, and the 10-speed automatic offered decisive shifts. The ST-Line's performance was enhanced with larger wheels and performance brakes. The Explorer ST showcased its performance capabilities on a short autocross course, while the Platinum trim with the V6 demonstrated fast acceleration and a pleasant engine sound. The Explorer's fuel consumption varied depending on the engine and trim, with the V6 averaging 12.3 L/100 km during testing.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was larger than its primary rivals, including the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade, and Kia Telluride. With a length of over 5 metres and a 2,950 mm wheelbase, it offered ample storage space, with a total cargo capacity of 2,761 litres. Behind the second-row seats, it provided 1,640 litres, and with all three rows up, there were 583 litres available. The Grand Highlander was known for its spacious and comfortable interior, with good visibility and plenty of room in every row.

The 2025 Ford Explorer seated six people in its standard configuration, with an optional second-row bench seat increasing capacity to seven. The ST-Line trim featured a heated steering wheel, heated power-adjustable front seats, and an optional Premium Package, adding ambient lighting and heated second-row seats. The front seats were comfortable, with black artificial leather upholstery and cloth inserts. The second-row captain's chairs were equally comfortable, but accessing the third row was challenging for adults. Cargo space measured 461 litres behind the third row, 1,302 litres behind the second row, and a maximum of 2,429 litres, making it competitive in its segment.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering a visually stunning interface. An intelligent assistant was available via a connected-services subscription, allowing voice commands for tasks like adjusting temperature and changing radio stations. The system included dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Limited and Platinum trims featured an 11-speaker JBL stereo, providing a good balance between bass and treble. Streaming audio integration and Sirius XM satellite radio were also available.

The 2025 Ford Explorer introduced the Ford Digital Experience, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included Google Built-in, Amazon Alexa Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. A 5G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and web browser apps provided internet access. The system was user-friendly, with Google Maps and Google Assistant offering excellent functionality. The Explorer offered B&O sound systems by Bang & Olufsen, with the ST-Line featuring 10 speakers and the Platinum and ST boasting 14 speakers and 980 watts of power.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard. This suite included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control with four following-distance settings was also standard.

The 2025 Ford Explorer featured Ford CoPilot 360 Assist+, which included adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist. The ST-Line trim and higher offered Ford CoPilot 360 2.0, adding a surround-view camera system and BlueCruise, Ford's hands-free highway driving system. The NHTSA had not fully rated the 2025 Explorer, but it earned five-star side-impact and four-star rollover resistance ratings. The IIHS rated its headlights as Marginal for some trims and Good for the Platinum.