We proudly carry the Ford Explorer for sale near San Lorenzo because we’ve seen time and again that drivers in our area find a lot more success on the roads with this three-row SUV than any of its three-row rivals. When it’s time to journey around the area, this SUV will always serve you well. However, we’ve noticed that it is an especially effective choice for families who want to broaden their destinations and recreational activities. With spacious seating, great infotainment, and a potent engine, there’s no automotive category the Explorer doesn’t excel in. Drivers who have kids or a large social circle are especially appreciative of what the Explorer offers, but we know that there are other three-row SUVs on the market today, and you might not be ready to take our word for it that the Explorer is better. So what makes the Explorer truly stand out? What puts it above its competition? The answer is a lot. We figure the best way to prove it to you is to show you a comparison. Let's compare it to one of its noteworthy challengers, the 2026 Toyota Highlander. By taking a closer look at both models, we're confident you’ll soon see why the Explorer needs to be your next purchase.

The Ford Explorer Provides You With Stellar Engine Power

The 2025 Ford Explorer pulls up with a turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder engine that’s standard on the entry trim. Don’t let the word standard fool you, though. Right out of the gate, the Ford Explorer impresses as its base engine cranks out 300 hp and 310 lb-ft torque. This standard engine easily surpasses the Highlander’s 2.4L engine, which produces 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Further highlighting the superiority of the Ford is that the Highlander doesn’t have another gas powered engine option; you’d have to opt for a hybrid if you wanted a different powertrain. The Explorer, however, offers an available upgraded engine: a 3.0L V6 engine that produces 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The ability to choose between two engines also allows you to have the SUV that best suits the feel that you like when you’re behind the wheel. So, how does the Explorer excel thanks to these performance numbers? We’re glad you asked.

Spacious and Comfortable Seating So Your Passengers Feel Cared For

The potent engine options the Explorer offers are undoubtedly a huge reason for its success, but the interior of this SUV is just as important. For families, doubly so, because you don’t want any of your passengers feeling like they’re stuck in too cramped a seat. One unhappy passenger can ruin a trip for everyone else.

Rear Passenger Space

If you’re headed out for a day of fun with the family, the Explorer will make sure everyone gets there feeling good. It offers a third row with 36 cu.ft. of space, which means an adult can sit back there without being squashed. Compare this to the Toyota Highlander, which only offers 31 cu.ft. of space, resulting in a third row that’s really only usable for smaller individuals. It’s the same story for the first and second rows. The Explorer offers 63 cu.ft. of room in the front and 56 cu.ft. in the second row. The Highlander only offers 55 cu.ft. and 49 cu.ft. for those respective rows. The extra room in the Explorer will make a huge difference. Your passengers will feel less fatigued and more eager to enjoy wherever the day’s journey takes you. Considering the two SUVs have almost equivalent starting prices, you’re getting a lot more bang for your buck if you buy smart and go for the 2025 Ford Explorer. After all, isn’t spacious seating a big part of the reason one goes for a three row SUV?

The Explorer Offers Quick Acceleration and Superior Command

Great performance numbers mean that driving at high speeds is easy, allowing you to set the pace as you drive out of San Lorenzo. You’ll find that the Ford Explorer doesn’t drag, nor does it feel like the engine is coughing as you try to catch up with highway traffic. This is not to say that the Toyota Highlander cannot handle fast speeds; however, its lower performance numbers mean you won’t have the steady hand you’re looking for, nor will the Highlander be as capable at tackling difficult terrain. The horsepower and torque stats give the Explorer another advantage over its competition: the ability to accelerate quickly. With the base engine, the Explorer can go from zero to 60 mph in six seconds. The upgraded engine can do it in 5.1 seconds. The Highlander, however, cannot quite keep up. It takes a lethargic 7.2 seconds to reach 60 mph. In other words, the Highlander will have you stuck on a freeway entrance while the Explorer will be able to glide right onto the road. Why cause yourself more stress by making every trip on the highway frustrating? Go for an Explorer that’ll make every venture smooth.

The Ford Explorer Offers Top-Tier Infotainment and Safety

The Explorer's Wide Range of Must-Have Tech

No modern vehicle should get away without having excellent technology, ways to make your trip entertaining, efficient, and safe. The Ford Explorer is able to do all that thanks to the many intelligent programs built into the vehicle. The standard 13.2-inch touchscreen will make your tech easy to manipulate even if you’re a tech novice; the screen’s size means you’re never squinting to see what it says or where to press. The Explorer provides you with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, both of which allow you to connect your device right to the crystal clear touchscreen. You can also use Google and Amazon services thanks to the Ford Digital Experience software, further expanding what you can do while behind the wheel. You’ll be able to enjoy your tunes and podcasts with the 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo; better yet, the stereo is standard on all but the base trim. Last but far from least, Ford’s safety system will work overtime while you’re driving. It’ll keep an eye out for potential collisions or lane veering; it can even take action on your behalf, potentially helping you avoid a collision.

With the Highlander, Great Tech Features Will Cost You

The 2026 Toyota Highlander also comes with plenty of tech. It, too, has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Highlander’s safety systems are also excellent; you’ll be able to drive while knowing it has your back. However, when compared to the Explorer, it doesn’t quite rise to the same level as Ford is at. The Highlander’s standard touchscreen is only eight inches. Even if you upgrade to the larger touchscreen, which will require a higher trim, it’s still about an inch smaller than the Explorer’s, making it less intuitive to use. You also have to select the highest trims to have access to the Highlander’s top sound system. And that sound system only comes with 11 speakers; it’s one shy of the Explorer’s. As with most things between these two SUVs, the Highlander does a decent job, but the Explorer does better. Why pay the same price as an Explorer for a Highlander and get less?

While the Highlander Is a Good SUV, the Explorer Is Great

The Toyota Highlander has plenty to offer, but it cannot reach the heights of the Ford Explorer. It doesn’t really matter the category, either, as you’ve seen. The Explorer comes out ahead of the Highlander in most cases. Where it doesn’t, it comes out even, such as with towing, where both can manage 5,000 lbs. We think that San Lorenzo drivers will be better off with the Ford Explorer if they’re looking for a new three-row SUV. Its engine options, spacious interior, and ample, easy-to-use infotainment make this a smart purchase. This is especially true when you consider the Explorer’s economical price. If you’re ready to take the Explorer for a test spin or have more questions about how it compares to other SUVs, then it’s time for you to schedule a visit with us here at The Ford Store San Leandro.