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Toyota Highlander vs Ford Explorer: fuel economy and fuel cost

In model year 2026 the Toyota Highlander is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $1,860 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Highlander Hybrid LTD/PLAT, 35 MPG combined), against $2,780 for the Ford Explorer (Explorer, 24 MPG combined). That is $920 a year, or $4,600 over five years.

Both are classed as Standard SUVs by the EPA. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.

The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.

Illustration: Standard SUVs
  • Hybrid
  • Standard SUVs

Toyota Highlander

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Highlander Hybrid LTD/PLAT

35 MPG
Combined
35 MPG
City
34 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$1,860

$12.40 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

3 configurations in MY2026

Illustration: Standard SUVs
  • Gas
  • Standard SUVs

Ford Explorer

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Explorer

24 MPG
Combined
20 MPG
City
29 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$2,780

$18.53 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

6 configurations in MY2026

What the fuel costs

Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration

  • Toyota Highlander$1,860 a year · $12.40 per 100 mi
  • Ford Explorer$2,780 a year · $18.53 per 100 mi

Difference per year

$920

Toyota Highlander costs less to fuel

Over 5 years

$4,600

$920 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

Head to head, MY2026

Toyota Highlander and Ford Explorer compared on their lowest fuel cost configuration
Measure Toyota Highlander Ford Explorer
Lowest-cost configuration Highlander Hybrid LTD/PLATExplorer
Powertrain HybridGas
Combined rating 35 MPG (better)24 MPG
City rating 35 MPG (better)20 MPG
Highway rating 34 MPG (better)29 MPG
Annual fuel cost $1,860/yr (better)$2,780/yr
Cost per 100 miles $12.40 (better)$18.53
Annual cost range, all configurations $1,860–$2,750$2,780–$3,440
Configurations in MY2026 36
EPA class Standard SUVsStandard SUVs

Best configuration by powertrain

Lowest-cost configuration of each powertrain, Toyota Highlander and Ford Explorer
Powertrain Toyota Highlander Ford Explorer
Gas 24 MPG · $2,750/yr Highlander 24 MPG · $2,780/yr Explorer
Hybrid 35 MPG · $1,860/yr Highlander Hybrid LTD/PLAT Not offered in MY2026

Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.

Where each one comes out ahead

Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.

Toyota Highlander

  • Lower annual fuel cost: $1,860 vs $2,780
  • Higher combined rating: 35 MPG vs 24 MPG
  • Higher city rating: 35 MPG vs 20 MPG
  • Higher highway rating: 34 MPG vs 29 MPG
  • Lower annual cost for the best gas configuration: $2,750 vs $2,780
  • Offers hybrid configurations in MY2026; the Ford Explorer does not

Ford Explorer

Not ahead on any measure listed here.

Year by year

Combined rating and annual fuel cost by model year, Toyota Highlander and Ford Explorer
Model year Toyota Highlander Ford Explorer
CombinedPer yearCombinedPer year
2026 24–35 MPG $1,860–$2,750 19–24 MPG $2,780–$3,440
2025 24–35 MPG $1,860–$2,750 20–24 MPG $2,780–$3,230
2024 24–36 MPG $1,820–$2,750 20–24 MPG $2,730–$3,280
2023 24–36 MPG $1,820–$2,750 20–27 MPG $2,380–$3,340
2022 23–36 MPG $1,820–$2,860 19–27 MPG $2,390–$3,460
2021 23–36 MPG $1,820–$2,870 19–27 MPG $2,380–$3,460
2020 23–36 MPG $1,820–$2,860 19–28 MPG $2,360–$3,490
2019 22–29 MPG $2,260–$3,030 18–22 MPG $3,000–$3,670
2018 22–29 MPG $2,260–$3,030 18–22 MPG $3,000–$3,570
2017 22–29 MPG $2,260–$3,030 18–22 MPG $3,000–$3,560
2016 20–28 MPG $2,320–$3,200 18–22 MPG $3,000–$3,560
2015 20–28 MPG $2,320–$3,200 18–23 MPG $2,900–$3,570
2014 20–28 MPG $2,320–$3,200 18–23 MPG $2,880–$3,560
2013 19–28 MPG $2,370–$3,470 18–23 MPG $2,890–$3,550
2012 19–28 MPG $2,370–$3,470 19–23 MPG $2,890–$3,450
2011 19–28 MPG $2,360–$3,470 19–20 MPG $3,240–$3,450
2010 19–26 MPG $2,510–$3,440 15–17 MPG $3,840–$4,360
2009 19–26 MPG $2,510–$3,440 15–17 MPG $3,840–$4,360
2008 19–26 MPG $2,510–$3,440 15–16 MPG $4,080–$4,360
2007 19–26 MPG $2,510–$3,440 15–16 MPG $4,080–$4,360
2006 19–27 MPG $2,420–$3,440 15–16 MPG $4,080–$4,360
2005 19–22 MPG $2,970–$3,440 14–16 MPG $4,080–$4,670
2004 19–22 MPG $2,970–$3,440 15–16 MPG $4,080–$4,360
2003 18–22 MPG $2,970–$3,630 15–17 MPG $3,840–$4,360
2002 18–22 MPG $2,970–$3,630 14–17 MPG $2,390–$4,670
2001 18–22 MPG $2,970–$3,630 15–18 MPG $2,390–$4,360

Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year. Electric configurations are not included in the MPG range of a year that also has other powertrains.

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper to fuel, the Toyota Highlander or the Ford Explorer?

The Toyota Highlander is cheaper: about $1,860 a year against $2,780 for the Ford Explorer, a difference of $920 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.

How much would the Toyota Highlander save over five years?

About $4,600 ($920 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.

Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Toyota Highlander or the Ford Explorer?

The Toyota Highlander is rated 35 MPG combined against 24 MPG for the Ford Explorer. City: 35 MPG vs 20 MPG. Highway: 34 MPG vs 29 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.

How is the annual fuel cost calculated?

Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.

Are the Toyota Highlander and the Ford Explorer in the same class?

Yes. The EPA classes both as Standard SUVs.

Explore these cars

More comparisons

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. avg, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal); residential electricity, U.S. avg, Jul 2026 (18.3¢/kWh) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city, same prices for both vehicles