2026 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Toyota Highlander: Why Explorer Is the Better Three-Row SUV in Ontario
Ontario families cross-shopping three-row SUVs this fall keep landing on the same two names: the Ford Explorer and the Toyota Highlander. Both promise room for the whole crew, but they take different approaches to getting you there.
If your weekends involve a trailer, a load of hockey bags, or a gravel road to the cottage, the differences between these two SUVs matter more than they look on paper. Here is how the 2026 Explorer and Highlander compare where it counts.
2026 Ford Explorer vs. Toyota Highlander: Key Specs
| Spec | Ford Explorer | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Available horsepower | 400 hp (3.0L EcoBoost V6) | 265 hp (2.4L Turbo) |
| Available torque | 415 lb-ft | 309 lb-ft |
| Max towing | 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) | 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) gas / 3,500 lbs (1,588 kg) hybrid |
| Max cargo, seats folded | 2,430 L (Active/ST-Line) | 2,387 L |
| Touchscreen | 13.2 in | up to 12.3 in |
| Seating capacity | up to 7 | up to 8 |
| Ground clearance | 193-208 mm (trim-dependent) | 203 mm |
Performance and the Everyday Drive
Every 2026 Explorer starts with a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder producing 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, numbers that already edge past the Highlander's 265-horsepower, 309-lb-ft 2.4-litre turbo four. Step up to the available 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6, standard on the ST, Platinum, and Tremor, and output climbs to 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft.
That is a wider gap than either Highlander path closes. The Highlander Hybrid's 2.5-litre system tops out at 243 horsepower, trading some punch for efficiency. Drivers who want stronger passing power on the highway will feel the difference behind the wheel of the V6 Explorer.
Towing capability follows a similar pattern, with one honest caveat. A properly equipped Explorer tows up to 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg), matching the Highlander's gas-powered towing rating. Choose the Highlander Hybrid instead, and that number drops to 3,500 lbs (1,588 kg), enough for a small utility trailer but short of what a mid-size boat needs for a cottage run.
The Highlander's turbo models add Trailer Sway Control to help settle a moving trailer at highway speed. The Explorer answers with a standard Torsen limited-slip differential on the Tremor and 4-wheel drive across its off-road-focused trims, keeping power planted when a loaded trailer shifts weight on a climb.
Seating, Cargo, and Family Utility
The Highlander XLE seats up to eight, thanks to a 60/40 split-bench second row, one more than the Explorer's seven-passenger maximum. But that extra seat comes at a cost: move up to the Highlander XSE, Limited, or Platinum, and the bench gives way to a pair of captain's chairs, dropping capacity back to seven, the same as most Explorer trims (six on the performance-tuned ST).
Cargo space tells the more useful story for active families. Even with all three rows in place, the Explorer's 462 litres behind the third row edges past the Highlander's 453 litres. Fold the third row down, and the Explorer's Active and ST-Line trims open up to 2,430 litres, ahead of the Highlander's 2,387 litres behind the front row.
Both third rows fold 60/40 for weekend guests, but it's the Explorer's cargo hold, not an extra middle seat, that does the heavier lifting for families hauling gear rather than passengers.
Exterior Character, Ground Clearance, and Tech
The Explorer Tremor pairs 18-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires with auxiliary off-road lighting and tow hooks, plus an off-road-tuned suspension that adds roughly 25 mm of ride height for backroad clearance. It's a look built for gravel cottage roads and trailheads, not just the mall parking lot.
Ground clearance varies by trim, from 193 mm on the Active to 208 mm on the Platinum, against a consistent 203 mm across the Highlander's trims. The Highlander's design leans on a low, wide body for an aerodynamic, sleek profile and a lower centre of gravity; the Explorer leans the other way, with a taller stance built around trail readiness and towing.
Inside, the Explorer's 13.2-inch touchscreen outsizes the Highlander's largest available 12.3-inch unit, and the Tremor's available 14-speaker premium audio system outnumbers the Highlander's 11-speaker JBL setup on the XSE and Limited grades.
Why the Explorer Fits Ontario Drivers
For Ontario families who tow a trailer, haul gear for weekend trips, or want an SUV that looks ready for it, the Explorer's case is straightforward. Its available 400-horsepower V6 outperforms both Highlander powertrains, its towing rating matches the Highlander's gas model and beats its hybrid, and its cargo room holds more with the third row folded down.
Add the Tremor's trail-focused hardware and the larger touchscreen, and the Explorer reads as the more assertive choice for buyers who want performance and utility to lead the spec sheet, not just seat count.
