2023 Ford Explorer vs. 2023 Toyota Highlander

For quite some time, SUVs have captured the hearts of Chicagoland drivers, and among the top contenders in 2023 are the Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander. While both vehicles bring many impressive features, a solid collection of factors have propelled the Explorer to be the favored pick.

With its spacious accommodations, potent engine options, towing capability, and off-road prowess, the Explorer brings together a perfect blend of functionality and dependability that makes it stand out in the crowd.

So, please continue reading as we’ll delve into the top five reasons why, for Windy City drivers, the 2023 Ford Explorer shines as the ultimate choice.

Passenger Space

When purchasing an SUV, one of the main advantages is available space, and while both the Explorer and Highlander provide plenty of it, the Explorer comes out on top by simply being the larger of the two.

The 2023 Explorer provides a maximum passenger volume of up to 152.7 cubic feet. In comparison, the 2023 Highlander comes up short while only offering up to 141.3 cubic feet of total passenger volume.

Cargo Volume

It should come as no shock that since the Explorer is bigger than the Highlander, it also provides far more cargo volume, meaning you'll have no issue finding space for your and your family's belongings and gear.

The Explorer offers up to 87.8 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume, while the Highlander offers only up to 84.3 cubic feet.

Engine Options

The 2023 Ford Explorer gives you more choices when it comes to engines. On top of that, they are all more potent than the scant array of engines available on the 2023 Toyota Highlander. These options consist of a 300-horsepower 2.3-liter EcoBoost® I-4 engine, a 318-horsepower 3.3-liter V6 hybrid, and a 400-horsepower 3-liter EcoBoost® engine.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Toyota Highlander only offers two engines, including a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine that produces 265 horsepower and a 243-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid, leaving much to be desired.

Towing

Another area where the Explorer outshines the Highlander is its towing capability. When loading up for a great adventure, the last thing you want is not to be able to haul all your equipment, and with a 2023 Explorer, you won't ever have to worry about that, thanks to its maximum towing capacity of up to 5,600 pounds.

The 2023 Highlander comes up short yet again while only possessing a maximum towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds.

Off-Road Capability

The Explorer is the superior pick if you're an avid off-roader and value blazing trails. The Explorer provides standard two-wheel drive or an optional intelligent four-wheel drive system and comes standard with a Terrain Management System™. The Terrain Management System™ is engineered to optimize the vehicle driving dynamics for various terrain.

The Explorer also equips you with up to seven selectable drive modes: Normal, Trail, Deep Snow/Sand, Slippery, Sport, Tow/Haul, and Eco Mode. It’s also important to note that the Ford Explorer features an off-road-centric trim, the Timberline. Plus, the Explorer has a ground clearance of up to 8.7 inches.

On the flip side, the Highlander also comes standard with front-wheel drive and offers an optional all-wheel drive system. However, it pales in comparison to the Explorer's sophisticated system. The Highlander also has a lower ground clearance than the Explorer while only providing up to 8.0 inches.

The 2023 Ford Explorer Reigns Supreme

The 2023 Ford Explorer truly shines in comparison to its rivals. It outpaces the 2023 Toyota Highlander regarding passenger and cargo room, engine alternatives, towing power, and off-road performance.

If you’re a Chicagoland driver hunting for the ultimate SUV, we encourage you to schedule a test drive online and visit us at Ford of Homewood, where we can help you find the 2023 Ford Explorer of your dreams!