2026 head-to-head · Midsize & Large SUV

2026 Ford Explorer vs Toyota Grand Highlander

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

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✓ Cheaper to run
$1,938/ year to fuel
24 MPG
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,938/ year to fuel
24 MPG

On fuel costs these two are nearly tied. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, the most efficient 2026 Ford Explorer (24 MPG) costs about $1,938 a year to fuel and the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander (24 MPG) about $1,938.

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
  • Toyota Grand Highlander

Side by side

Ford ExplorerToyota Grand Highlander
$1,938 Your annual fuel cost $1,938
24 MPG Combined efficiency 24 MPG
20 MPG City 21 MPG
29 MPG Highway 28 MPG
377 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 371 g/mi
5/10 EPA fuel economy score 5/10
5/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 5/10
Gas Powertrain Gas
Regular gasoline Fuel Regular gasoline
2.3L 4-cyl turbo Engine / motor 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
10-speed automatic Transmission 8-speed automatic
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 vs Toyota Grand Highlander across model years

  • Ford Explorer
  • Toyota Grand Highlander

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 91 2026 midsize & large SUVs, the Ford Explorer ranks 31st and the Toyota Grand Highlander 32nd for lowest fuel cost.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 Ford Explorer vs. the Toyota Grand Highlander per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,938 for the Ford Explorer and $1,938 for the Toyota Grand Highlander.

Ford Explorer vs Toyota Grand Highlander in other years

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