2021 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Ford Explorer had a striking family resemblance to its SUV siblings, the Escape, Edge, and Expedition, all starting with "E." This design choice was reminiscent of the 1950s, aiming to keep customers loyal to the brand as they moved up the price ladder. The Explorer's exterior was sporty, with raked belt lines and distinctive visages, making it hard to distinguish from the Edge at a quick glance. Depending on the trim, the grille varied from black to full chrome, with six trim levels ranging from the base model to the luxurious Platinum. Inside, the Explorer offered three rows of seats as standard, with cloth upholstery on the base model and leather available on higher trims. The dash was clean, featuring an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and a center console with a rotary gearshift, providing ample storage space.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander stood out in a crowd with its bold design. Its front end, while less dramatic than the Sienna minivan, featured wide headlights, a long hood, and an assertive trapezoidal grille. The side profile had a character line similar to the Supra sports car, and the taillights resembled those of a Lexus model. The Highlander looked longer and lower than its predecessor without sacrificing size. The new XSE trim added a sportier appearance with a restyled front end, 20-inch wheels, and a unique front fascia. Inside, the Limited trim shone with near-flawless fit and finish, tan leather seats, and dark brown trim. The wood details, though not real, looked fabulous, and the overall interior leaned towards luxury.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, at its lightest, weighed 4,345 pounds. Its base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, outperforming the Kia Telluride's V6 engine. All trims featured a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Limited Hybrid trim offered a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims had a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, delivering 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, while the sport-oriented ST trim boasted 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer excelled in towing, with capacities ranging from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the trim and engine.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered both front-wheel and all-wheel drive options. The Highlander Hybrid, covered separately, provided an alternative powertrain. While not designed for drag races, the Highlander performed well in everyday driving, with smooth and predictable operation. It compared favorably with competitors like the Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, and Honda Pilot. The XSE trim added sportier suspension tuning, higher-rated springs, retuned shock absorbers, and a rear stabilizer bar, enhancing driving excitement without compromising comfort.

The 2021 Ford Explorer's base model seated seven, while other trims with captain's chairs in the second row reduced capacity to six. It offered 39 inches of second-row legroom, ahead of the Nissan Murano and Buick Enclave, but slightly behind the Mazda CX-9 and Chevrolet Blazer. With the third row deployed, the Explorer provided 21 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 81 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, though this was less impressive compared to competitors.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander excelled in interior space and functionality. It featured shelves ahead of the front seats for storage, with a pass-through for charging cords. Second-row passengers enjoyed ample legroom, with seats that moved forward and backward to balance space between rows. The third row could accommodate adults if the second row was adjusted. However, rear-seat climate control vents were only on the ceiling. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the third row, 48.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.3 cubic feet with both rows down, offering plenty of room for various needs.

The 2021 Ford Explorer's base trim came with an 8-inch touchscreen, offering AM/FM radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system, and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trims included a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and an optional 10.1-inch touchscreen. Charging options included two USB ports in the center console and five 12-volt power points, with a 110-volt AC power outlet available on higher trims.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen available on the Limited trim and standard on the Platinum trim. Both systems were user-friendly, with standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The 12.3-inch screen was bright and crisp, though it only displayed certain apps in full width. The JBL audio system sounded good but not exceptional. Navigation was optional, with mixed performance in locating points of interest.

The 2021 Ford Explorer earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights. The base model included the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, featuring auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and dynamic brake support. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, forward sensing, rain-sensing wipers, and speed sign recognition.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander upgraded to Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support, road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. The NHTSA awarded the Highlander five out of five stars, and the IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick+.