Ford Explorer vs Toyota 4Runner
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Toyota 4Runner
Overview
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Active 100A | SR5 |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | rear wheel drive | rear wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2027 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $38,465 (best) | $42,270 |
| Lowest listing price | $11,345 (best) | $32,394 |
| Median listing price | $45,871 | $32,394 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $64,269 | $32,394 (best) |
| For sale now | 38 (best) | 1 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 24 MPG (best) | 22 MPG |
| City MPG | 20 MPG | 20 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 29 MPG (best) | 26 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 17.9 gal | 19 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 300 hp (best) | 278 hp |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft | 317 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 2.3 L | 2.4 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 6 seats (best) | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 85.8 cu ft | 90.2 cu ft (best) |
| Towing capacity | 5,300 lbs | 6,000 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | — | 4,455 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | 7.9 in | 8.1 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 119.1 in (best) | 112.2 in |
| Length | 198.8 in (best) | 194.9 in |
| Width | 78.9 in (best) | 78 in |
| Height | 69.9 in | 72.6 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | — | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (driver) | — | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | — | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (driver) | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (passenger) | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side pole | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Rollover | — | 3 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | 1 (best) | 2 |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Ford Explorer | Toyota 4Runner |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Active 100A $38,465 MSRP(Currently comparing) | SR5 $42,270 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Active 100A $40,465 MSRP | SR5 $44,270 MSRP |
| 3 | Active 200A $40,400 MSRP | TRD Sport $48,750 MSRP |
| 4 | Active 200A $42,400 MSRP | TRD Sport $50,750 MSRP |
| 5 | ST-Line $44,200 MSRP | TRD Off-Road $50,690 MSRP |
| 6 | ST-Line $46,200 MSRP | TRD Off-Road $53,490 MSRP |
| 7 | Tremor $49,200 MSRP | TRD Sport Premium $54,110 MSRP |
| 8 | Tremor $56,460 MSRP | TRD Sport Premium $56,110 MSRP |
| 9 | Platinum $50,660 MSRP | TRD Off-Road Premium $56,470 MSRP |
| 10 | Platinum $52,660 MSRP | TRD Off-Road Premium $59,270 MSRP |
| 11 | ST $53,660 MSRP | Limited $56,900 MSRP |
| 12 | ST $55,660 MSRP | Limited $58,900 MSRP |
| 13 | — | Limited $61,700 MSRP |
| 14 | — | Platinum $64,360 MSRP |
| 15 | — | Trailhunter $68,400 MSRP |
| 16 | — | TRD Pro $68,600 MSRP |
Live inventory
Ford Explorer38 for sale
See all
Used2025 Ford Explorer
Active
Gray•Gray79,005 mi$28,898Jay Hatfield Chevrolet Chanute
Chanute, KS
Used2018 Ford Explorer
Platinum
Platinum Dune Metallic Tri-Coat•Medium Soft Ceramic99,418 mi$19,480Jay Hatfield Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Ponca City
Ponca City, OK
Used2015 Ford Explorer
Sport
Tuxedo Black Metallic•Charcoal Black115,727 mi$11,345Jay Hatfield Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Ponca City
Ponca City, OK
Used2025 Ford Explorer
ST-Line
31,300 mi$36,209Jay Hatfield GMC of Pittsburg
Frontenac, KS
Used2025 Ford Explorer
Active
Gray•Gray79,005 mi$28,898Jay Hatfield GMC Chanute
Chanute, KS
Used2025 Ford Explorer
ST-Line
31,300 mi$36,209Jay Hatfield Chevrolet of Pittsburg
Frontenac, KS
Ford Explorer vs Toyota 4Runner FAQ
- Which is better: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Toyota 4Runner?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2027 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Toyota 4Runner on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Toyota 4Runner?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2027 Ford Explorer starts lower at $38,465. Live Ford Explorer listings start at $11,345. Live Toyota 4Runner listings start at $32,394.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Toyota 4Runner?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (38,465).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Toyota 4Runner?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (24).
- Which has better horsepower: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Toyota 4Runner?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on horsepower in this comparison (400).
- Which has better seats: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Toyota 4Runner?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on seats in this comparison (7).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Toyota 4Runner?
- The 2026 Toyota 4Runner leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (6,000).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2027 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Toyota 4Runner?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Toyota 4Runner (4/5 NHTSA overall).