2021 Ford Explorer vs Toyota Highlander
Need a new ride the whole family is sure to enjoy? Whether you’re packing up for beach trips, carpooling to various activities, or just heading out to shop around Pensacola, Crestview, and Fort Walton Beach, FL, the 2021 Ford Explorer and the 2021 Toyota Highlander are spacious SUVs ready for it all.
Which one has more room for you and your passengers? What kind of features do they offer? Find out by reading the 2021 Ford Explorer vs. Toyota Highlander comparison below put together by our World Ford Pensacola team.
A Comfortable Ride for You, Your Family, and Friends
With multiple rows of seats inside each of their cabins, both vehicles are ready for family road trips, carpool duty, and much more. The 2021 Explorer, though, provides everyone with more space thanks to its 152.7 cubic feet of passenger volume.
The Toyota Highlander has 141.3 cubic feet of passenger space inside its cabin. You’ll notice the extra space among all the rows of the Explorer, whether it’s the additional legroom up front or the headroom in the second row.
Passengers in the third row will also have a much more comfortable ride in the Ford Explorer. Back there, they’ll get to enjoy 38.9 inches of headroom and 32.2 inches of legroom. Space is more limited in the third row of the 2021 Highlander with just 36.1 inches of headroom and 27.7 inches of legroom.
Take All Your Things with You
When you don’t have a car full of passengers, both SUVs let you easily fold down the seats and pack up for vacation or make room to move furniture. When carrying bigger items, you’ll have an easier time fitting them in the Ford Explorer with its 87.8 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the first row.
The Toyota Highlander has a maximum 84.3 cubic feet of cargo volume. You can also pull larger gear along with you behind your SUV.
Both models have the capability of towing, but depending on your boat or trailer size, the Explorer might be the SUV that can safely tow your equipment. That’s because its available 400-horsepower 3.0L EcoBoost® V6 engine gives it a towing capacity that reaches 5,600 pounds. Meanwhile, the 295-horsepower V6 engine in the Highlander gives it a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.
2021 Explorer vs 2021 Highlander: Technology
Each vehicle has a range of technology, from the convenience of Amazon Alexa compatibility and comfort of the tri-zone electronic temperature control system to the added safety of standard driver-assistive packages.
There are some tech features, though, that are only offered in the 2021 Ford Explorer. These include:
- Active Park Assist 2.0—This available system makes parking along the street or in tight, crowded lots even easier. Just put the vehicle in Neutral, push a button, and the Explorer will take over to safely maneuver you into the open space.
- 360-Degree Camera—This available feature utilizes four cameras that enable you to see every side of your vehicle for better visibility. It also has split-view capabilities.
Want to learn more about the Explorer? Check out our Ford Explorer reviews!
Take a Test Drive in the Ford Explorer
This 2021 Ford Explorer vs. Toyota Highlander comparison shows how these two SUVs are both great options for families in Pensacola, Crestview, and Fort Walton Beach, FL, thanks to their seating capacities.
The 2021 Explorer, though, offers more space, additional technology features, and more versatility and capabilities overall than the 2021 Highlander, making it the ultimate 3-row SUV.
Come by World Ford of Pensacola to experience the Ford Explorer for yourself. Contact us now to schedule a test drive.