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Ford Explorer vs Toyota 4Runner

2026 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Toyota 4Runner — two standard SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Ford Explorer

2026 Ford Explorer

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WD
VS2 – 4Toyota 4Runner wins 4 of 6 categories
Toyota 4Runner

2026 Toyota 4Runner

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Ford Explorer is more fuel-efficient: 24 vs 23 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $100 a year less in fuel for the Ford Explorer (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Ford Explorer is the bigger car, about 4 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Toyota 4Runner has had fewer recall campaigns (38 vs 105).

The two cars

The 2026 Ford Explorer is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (2.3L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo) and rear-wheel drive and part-time 4-wheel drive. It measures about 199 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 119-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,458 lb (4dr SUV).

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner is a standard SUV offered with a 2.4L 4-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and part-time 4-wheel drive, 4-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive. It measures about 195 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,870 lb (4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2024 Explorer and the 2024 4Runner have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2016 Explorer and the 2015 4Runner.

Basics

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl turbo
Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

24 MPG
Best combined MPG
23 MPG
20 city
City / highway MPG (best)
23 city
$2,800
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$2,900

Performance & space

–
Horsepower (most powerful)
278 hp
–
Seats (most)
5
198.8 in
Length
194.9 in
78.7 in
Width
78 in
70.1 in
Height
73.2 in
4,458 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,870 lb

Safety & reliability

10
Driver-assist features standard
11
15
Recalls (2026)
2
105
Recalls, all years since 2005
38
42
Owner complaints (latest year)
7

Interest

23,294
Wikipedia views, 30 days
25,095

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2024
2016
Year to avoid
2015

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Ford Explorer if…

  • You want more room (4 in longer)

Choose the Toyota 4Runner if…

  • You want something easier to park (4 in shorter)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option
  • You put reliability history first (38 vs 105 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Ford Explorer

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • 15 recallsMore than similar models (about 1). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

2026 Toyota 4Runner

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 23 MPG combined — 15% better than the average 2026 standard SUV (20 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Full 2026 Ford Explorer specs →Full 2026 Toyota 4Runner specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →