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The top-two selling SUVs this year so far are the Toyota Highlander and the Ford Explorer. They’re very similar midsize SUVs that that have three rows of seats, optional all wheel drive, and more that makes them popular choices for families. But, when it comes to reliability and cost of repairs of the Highlander and Explorer, does one come out on top?

Which is better, Highlander or Ford Explorer?

Front angle view of new 2023 Ford Explorer SUV with Forged Green exterior paint color
Forged Green 2023 Ford Explorer | Ford
The 2023 Toyota Highlander SUV in Cypress Green seen here
A 2023 Toyota Highlander | Toyota

J.D. Power ranks the 2022 Highlander as great, and it earns a score of 81 for quality and reliability, which measures defects, malfunctions and design flaws. The score covers the entire vehicle, from the engine to the radio. The driving experience, however, is only rated average, and that’s one reason the Highlander comes in second to the Ford.

However, the Ford beats the Toyota by one point at J.D. Power, and it has a score of 82 of 100. However, it ranks great for quality and reliability and gets a much higher driving experience score. Where the Ford is let down is in the resale value category. It still earns a great ranking, but the Toyota is worth more after a few years compared to the Ford.

Repair Pal ranks the Highlander as the winner

At Repair Pal, a site that gathers repair information and ranks vehicles, the Highlander ranks as above average, with a four (of five) star ranking. The average repair cost for a Highlander is $489 and owners take them to the shop 0.3 times per year, mostly for minor issues. The 2022 Toyota Highlander comes with a 3-year, 36,000 mile warranty, and the powertrain is warrantied for up to 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Ford, however, earns a solid average score of 3.5 stars. The average annual repair cost is $732 for the Explorer. Though the frequency of shop visits is lower than the Highlander, at 0.2 times per year, the repairs are generally more costly on the Explorer. The Explorer comes with a 3-year, 36,000 mile warranty, and the powertrain is warrantied for up to 5 years or 60,000 miles.

How much should you pay for a Ford Explorer or Toyota Highlander?

The interior of the Toyota Highlander in tan and black.
2023 Toyota Highlander interior | Toyota

The Ford Explorer was completely redesigned for 2021  and that update has made it the best-selling midsize SUV in America this year. It’s easy to see why with a variety of engine choices and trim levels, as well as good cargo room, the ability to tow up to 5,300 pounds and seats six or seven with three rows. It starts at $36,760.

The Toyota Highlander seems to be the large SUV that many others benchmark their three-row SUVs on. It seats seven or eight people, but the way back seat only has 27.7 inches of legroom, making it a kids-only spot. Also, for such a large SUV, the Toyota Higlander cargo hold is less than many others on this list with 84.3 cubic feet with the back seats folded. But, it does come with a 295 horsepower V6, optional all-wheel drive in the Hybrid version, and it comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense. In base trim it starts at $39,555.

Related

How Reliable Is the Toyota Highlander?

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Writer - Sedans & Coupes

Dan Mayfield

Dan joined MotorBiscuit in 2022 with over 20 years of experience in journalism and a lifelong passion for anything related to the automotive industry. He grew up wrenching a 1949 Ford pickup truck and an MGB with his dad, learning how not to wire a fuel pump (he inadvertently set the MGB on fire).

After earning a bachelor’s degree in photojournalism from the University of New Mexico, Dan has contributed his expertise to a range of local outlets, including the City of Albuquerque, US Eagle, and the Alliance for Local Economic Prosperity.

On weekends, Dan spends Saturdays enjoying “cars and coffee” chats and, on Sundays, he’s watching the Route 66 Cruise roll through town. He also races motorcycles, and it’s not unusual to find him elbows-deep in his latest cafe racer build.

Taking advantage of the local desert terrain, Dan also enjoys exploring and driving off-road in his trusty Ram Rebel pickup truck, which provides personal insights into his contributions to our Trucks, SUVs, & Crossovers coverage. Dan strives to give our readers unique information about the dynamic automotive market, reading anything that has to do with cars, trucks, bikes, 4X4s, and, in his words, “everything with a motor.”

Dan has earned a number of accolades from the Public Relations Society of America, and is a University of Southern California, Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism Fellow.