2021 Toyota 4Runner vs 2021 Ford Explorer

If you’re in the market for an SUV that can handle a heavy load, is great on fuel, and has a ton to offer in the interior, look no further than the Toyota 4Runner and the Ford Explorer. These SUVs have served drivers around Zanesville, Cambridge, Coshocton, and Newark, OH, for years, making either of them a great choice.

However, there are some differences. Zanesville Toyota wants to point them out in order to help guide you towards making a decision as to which SUV is better suited for you.

Toyota 4Runner vs Ford Explorer: Trims

You’re a driver who loves options—and the Toyota 4Runner and the Ford Explorer are chock full of them.

If you like to choose from more than a few trim levels, the 4Runner offers you a whopping nine trims. These include the SR5, the Trail Special Edition, the SR5 Premium, the TRD Off-Road, the TRD Off-Road Premium, the Venture Special Edition, the Limited, the Nightshade Special Edition, and the TRD Pro.

By comparison, the Ford Explorer offers you seven trims, including the Explorer, the XLT, the Limited, the Timberline, the ST, the King Ranch, and the Platinum.

If you want more options, the 4Runner stands out over the Explorer in this regard.

4Runner vs Explorer: First Row Cargo Volume

For many SUV shoppers, cargo volume is incredibly important. The 4Runner and the Explorer both offer tons of room. However, the 4Runner can give you more cargo space behind the front row.

Behind the front-row seats, the 4Runner offers 89.7 cubic feet of cargo volume, compared to the 87.8 cubic feet behind the front row in the Ford.

The 4Runner provides 88.8 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the first-row seats with a sliding cargo deck as well, which still eclipses the Ford.

Both vehicles offer comparable second-row cargo volume. If you need more space behind the front row, the 4Runner would be the way to go.

Toyota 4Runner vs Ford Explorer: Interior

When you want a stylish interior with tons of connectivity, the Toyota 4Runner and the Ford Explorer go a long way toward helping you achieve that goal. Standard in the base model of each vehicle is cloth seating. Leather-trimmed seating becomes standard as you upgrade to the higher trim levels.

Each vehicle also offers specialty seating. The 4Runner features SofTex®-trimmed seats, which can be heated in the front row and recline in the second row for maximum comfort. The Ford offers ActiveX seating material; however, the second-row seats do not recline.

So, if you want more comfort, the 4Runner can do more for you.

The 4Runner also offers a better standard audio system than the Ford. In the Toyota, you get an 8-inch screen with eight speakers and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. The Ford also gives you a standard 8-inch screen with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot but with only six speakers. Your music and calls will not be as clear in the Explorer.