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2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Toyota Highlander

If you're looking for a spacious, feature-packed SUV, look no further than the 2025 Ford Explorer! With powerful performance and family-friendly versatility, the Explorer delivers a confident, comfortable ride no matter where the road takes you.

But how does it compare to one of its biggest rivals: the Toyota Highlander? We’re putting the 2025 Ford Explorer head-to-head with the 2025 Highlander to help you decide which SUV is right for you.

Read on to see how they stack up, then visit us for a test drive!

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Performance and Efficiency

The 2025 Ford Explorer is powered by a standard 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine that delivers 300 horsepower. It provides strong acceleration, smooth highway cruising, and the power you need for towing and weekend getaways. Fuel economy comes in at an estimated 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, giving you a solid balance of performance and efficiency.

The 2025 Toyota Highlander is equipped with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 265 horsepower. While it provides a comfortable and composed drive, it doesn’t pack quite the same punch as the Explorer, especially when it comes to towing or passing power. It offers similar fuel economy, however, earning around 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.

If you want more horsepower and a more dynamic driving experience, the 2025 Explorer is the winner.

Interior Space and Passenger Comfort

Inside, the 2025 Ford Explorer offers generous space with seating for up to seven passengers. The flexible layout makes it easy to accommodate your whole crew and their gear. The roomy second row and available power-folding third row make longer trips more comfortable, especially for families. The Explorer also keeps you comfortable with tri-zone automatic climate control and available upgrades like heated and ventilated seats.

The 2025 Toyota Highlander seats up to eight passengers, but its third row feels a bit more cramped, making it better for kids than adults. While it offers quality materials and a quiet ride, there isn’t quite as much legroom or cargo space behind the third row as in the Explorer.

If passenger comfort and interior flexibility are priorities, the Explorer stands out with its spacious feel.

Safety and Technology

The 2025 Ford Explorer comes loaded with advanced tech and safety features, including the Ford Co-Pilot360™ suite. This standard package includes Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane-Keeping System, Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, and more. The Explorer also offers an available 12.3-inch digital cluster display, a large touchscreen with SYNC® 4, wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, plus available built-in navigation and a premium Bang & Olufsen® sound system.

The 2025 Toyota Highlander is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense™ 3.0, which offers a similar range of driver-assist features like Lane Departure Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Automatic Emergency Braking. Its infotainment system includes a responsive touchscreen, wireless smartphone integration, and available upgrades like a 12.3-inch display and JBL® sound system.

Both SUVs offer impressive safety and tech, but the Explorer has a slight edge thanks to its more intuitive interface, optional digital cluster, and available upscale audio system.

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Pricing and Ownership Experience

When it comes to value, the 2025 Ford Explorer provides a strong return on investment. The base model starts at around $38,000 MSRP and includes a powerful turbocharged engine, advanced safety tech, and spacious seating, all standard.

The 2025 Toyota Highlander starts slightly higher, with a base MSRP of around $39,000. While it offers many of the same features, the Highlander’s lower horsepower and tighter third-row space may make the slightly higher price feel less justified.

Ford provides additional value after the sale with its FordPass™ Rewards program and a 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty. In addition, you’ll have remote vehicle management available through the FordPass app, which gives you convenient control right from your smartphone.

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Test Drive the 2025 Ford Explorer in Florence, SC, Today

Ready to experience the 2025 Ford Explorer for yourself? Explore our inventory, then stop by Mike Reichenbach Ford in Florence, SC, and take this ever-popular SUV for a test drive today!

From its spacious interior to its impressive performance, the new Explorer is built to handle daily commutes, weekend adventures, and everything in between.

Have questions about trim levels, features, or availability? Contact us online or by phone. Or simply visit our Ford dealership in Florence and let us help you get behind the wheel of your next Explorer!

As your trusted Ford dealer in Florence, SC, we proudly serve drivers across South Carolina!

Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this site, absolute accuracy cannot be guaranteed. This site, and all information and materials appearing on it, are presented to the user "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. All vehicles are subject to prior sale. Price does not include applicable tax, title, and license charges. ‡Vehicles shown at different locations are not currently in our inventory (Not in Stock) but can be made available to you at our location within a reasonable date from the time of your request, not to exceed one week.