2023 head-to-head · Midsize & Large SUV

2023 Ford Explorer Hybrid vs Toyota Highlander Hybrid

MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.

Swap sides
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,722/ year to fuel
27 MPG
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,292/ year to fuel
36 MPG

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,292 a year to fuel (36 MPG), versus $1,722 for the 2023 Ford Explorer Hybrid (27 MPG). That's roughly $431 a year, or about $2,153 over five years.

Your numbers

Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.

Fuel cost over 10 years

  • Ford Explorer Hybrid
  • Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Side by side

Ford Explorer HybridToyota Highlander Hybrid
$1,722 Your annual fuel cost $1,292
27 MPG Combined efficiency 36 MPG
27 MPG City 36 MPG
28 MPG Highway 35 MPG
324 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 245 g/mi
5/10 EPA fuel economy score 7/10
5/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 7/10
Hybrid Powertrain Hybrid
Regular gasoline Fuel Regular gasoline
3.3L 6-cyl Engine / motor 2.5L 4-cyl
10-speed automatic Transmission CVT
RWD Drivetrain FWD

✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.

Ford Explorer Hybrid vs Toyota Highlander Hybrid across model years

  • Ford Explorer Hybrid
  • Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.

How they differ

Among 73 2023 midsize & large SUVs, the Ford Explorer Hybrid ranks 11th and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid 9th for lowest fuel cost.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2023 Ford Explorer Hybrid or the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?

Measured by cost to drive, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The Ford Explorer Hybrid is rated 27 MPG combined and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid 36 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2023 Ford Explorer Hybrid vs. the Toyota Highlander Hybrid per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,722 for the Ford Explorer Hybrid and $1,292 for the Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

Ford Explorer Hybrid vs Toyota Highlander Hybrid in other years

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