Ford Explorer vs Toyota Grand Highlander: cost to own

Verdict, over 6 years

They cost about the same

Within $1,128: too close to call. Closest matching trims: same fuel and drive where possible.

Explorer Active$1,470/moTrue cost

Grand Highlander XLE$1,485/moTrue cost

2027 Ford Explorer

Closest matching trim: Explorer Active

Sticker (MSRP)$52,700

+$10,460→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$63,160

+ running costs→↓− $23,152 resale

True cost$1,470/moA month to own, after resale

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander

Closest matching trim: Grand Highlander XLE

Sticker (MSRP)$52,135

+$10,261→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$62,396

+ running costs→↓− $25,842 resale

True cost$1,485/moA month to own, after resale

Line by line


Price
Sticker (MSRP)	$52,700	✓ $52,135	Grand Highlander by $565
Freight and fees, before tax	$3,194	✓ $3,083	Grand Highlander by $111
Sales tax (HST)	$7,266	✓ $7,178	Grand Highlander by $88
Drive-away price	$63,160	✓ $62,396	Grand Highlander by $764
Running costs, 6 years
Fuel or charging	$19,418	✓ $16,740	Grand Highlander by $2,678
Insurance (estimate)	✓ $13,396	$19,400	Explorer by $6,004
Maintenance (estimate)	✓ $7,750	$9,314	Explorer by $1,564
Loan rate	6.5%	6.5%	—
Loan interest	$12,232	✓ $12,071	Grand Highlander by $161
Lost return on your money	$12,921	✓ $12,774	Grand Highlander by $147
Resale after 6 yrs	−$23,152	✓ −$25,842	Grand Highlander by $2,690
Total
True cost	✓ $105,816	$106,944	Explorer by $1,128
True cost a month	✓ $1,470/mo	$1,485/mo	Explorer by $15
You pay each month	✓ $1,542/mo	$1,597/mo	Explorer by $55
Practical
Fuel type	Gas	Gas	—
Seats	7	8	—
Carry-ons, 2 people	Not published	8+	—
Towing, lb	5,000	5,000	—
Cargo behind row 2, litres	Not published	1,640	—
Length	—	5.11 m	—
Ground clearance	—	20 cm	—
Resale % after 6 yrs	44%	✓ 50%	—
US crash test	5★ (closest version)	5★	—

Price

Sticker (MSRP)

Explorer Active $52,700Grand Highlander XLE ✓ $52,135Cheaper by Grand Highlander by $565

Freight and fees, before tax

Explorer Active $3,194Grand Highlander XLE ✓ $3,083Cheaper by Grand Highlander by $111

Sales tax (HST)

Explorer Active $7,266Grand Highlander XLE ✓ $7,178Cheaper by Grand Highlander by $88

Drive-away price

Explorer Active $63,160Grand Highlander XLE ✓ $62,396Cheaper by Grand Highlander by $764

Running costs, 6 years

Fuel or charging

Explorer Active $19,418Grand Highlander XLE ✓ $16,740Cheaper by Grand Highlander by $2,678

Insurance (estimate)

Explorer Active ✓ $13,396Grand Highlander XLE $19,400Cheaper by Explorer by $6,004

Maintenance (estimate)

Explorer Active ✓ $7,750Grand Highlander XLE $9,314Cheaper by Explorer by $1,564

Loan rate

Explorer Active 6.5%Grand Highlander XLE 6.5%Cheaper by —

Loan interest

Explorer Active $12,232Grand Highlander XLE ✓ $12,071Cheaper by Grand Highlander by $161

Lost return on your money

Explorer Active $12,921Grand Highlander XLE ✓ $12,774Cheaper by Grand Highlander by $147

Resale after 6 yrs

Explorer Active −$23,152Grand Highlander XLE ✓ −$25,842Cheaper by Grand Highlander by $2,690

Total

True cost

Explorer Active ✓ $105,816Grand Highlander XLE $106,944Cheaper by Explorer by $1,128

True cost a month

Explorer Active ✓ $1,470/moGrand Highlander XLE $1,485/moCheaper by Explorer by $15

You pay each month

Explorer Active ✓ $1,542/moGrand Highlander XLE $1,597/moCheaper by Explorer by $55

Practical

Fuel type

Explorer Active GasGrand Highlander XLE GasCheaper by —

Seats

Explorer Active 7Grand Highlander XLE 8Cheaper by —

Carry-ons, 2 people

Explorer Active Not publishedGrand Highlander XLE 8+Cheaper by —

Towing, lb

Explorer Active 5,000Grand Highlander XLE 5,000Cheaper by —

Cargo behind row 2, litres

Explorer Active Not publishedGrand Highlander XLE 1,640Cheaper by —

Length

Explorer Active —Grand Highlander XLE 5.11 mCheaper by —

Ground clearance

Explorer Active —Grand Highlander XLE 20 cmCheaper by —

Resale % after 6 yrs

Explorer Active 44%Grand Highlander XLE ✓ 50%Cheaper by —

US crash test

Explorer Active 5★ (closest version)Grand Highlander XLE 5★Cheaper by —

✓ marks the better figure. Resale for both is typical for their type and brand (unless you lease). Their stickers differ by $565.