2023 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Toyota Highlander
Side-by-side EPA, NHTSA, and recall data. Winners highlighted in green when one car clearly leads.
- Best EPA combined MPG goes to the 2023 Ford Explorer at 27 MPG.
Car 1 2023 Ford Explorer | Car 2 2023 Toyota Highlander | |
|---|---|---|
Engine & efficiency | ||
| Cylinders | 6 | 4 |
| Displacement | 3.3L | 2.4L |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel type | Regular Gasoline | Regular Gasoline |
EPA fuel economy | ||
| City MPG | 27 | 21 |
| Highway MPG | 28 | 28 |
| Combined MPG | 27 | 24 |
| Annual fuel cost (EPA) | $2500 | $2800 |
| CO2 tailpipe | 324g/mi | 370g/mi |
NHTSA safety ratings | ||
| Overall | 5/ 5 | 5/ 5 |
| Frontal crash | 5/ 5 | 4/ 5 |
| Side crash | 5/ 5 | 5/ 5 |
| Rollover | 4/ 5 | 4/ 5 |
| Stability control | Standard | Standard |
Recalls, complaints, investigations | ||
| Recalls (NHTSA) | 14 | 9 |
| Complaints filed | 93 | 154 |
| Open investigations | 0 | 0 |
- BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERAFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
- POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Bronco, and 2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The transmission may contain a loose bolt which could prevent the transmission from engaging the park gear, although the gear shifter position may indicate that the vehicle has been shifted to "PARK."
- BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERAFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
- + 11 more on file at NHTSA.
- STEERING:COLUMNToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, 2023 Lexus RX350, RX350 Hybrid, RX500 Hybrid, 2023-2024 Lexus NX250, NX350, and NX350 Hybrid vehicles. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERSToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Highlander & Highlander Hybrid vehicles. During normal vehicle operation, minor impact to the front lower bumper cover may result in the cover coming loose or detaching.
- TIRESGulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2022-2024 model year Highlander L and Highlander LE vehicles equipped with the Blackout Package that includes 20" black alloy wheels and tires. The installed tires have an insufficient load rating. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
- + 6 more on file at NHTSA.
Sources: US DOT NHTSA (api.nhtsa.gov) for safety ratings, recalls, and complaints. US EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov for engine, fuel economy, and emissions data. Both are free public datasets, updated by the federal agencies that own them.
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