For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Ford Explorer have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Toyota 4Runner doesn't offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Explorer has standard Cross Traffic Alert with Cross Traffic Braking, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Only the 4Runner Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro offers Parking Support Brake.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Explorer uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The 4Runner uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Explorer and the 4Runner have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Ford Explorer has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS' rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The 4Runner has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

There are over 2 times as many Ford dealers as there are Toyota dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Explorer's warranty.

The Explorer has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine's coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The 4Runner doesn't offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck's engine.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Explorer second among midsize suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The 4Runner isn't in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in initial quality. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated lower.

The Explorer has more powerful engines than the 4Runner:

On the EPA test cycle the Explorer gets better mileage than the 4Runner:

Regardless of its engine, the Explorer's engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Toyota only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the 4Runner Limited/i-FORCE MAX.

The Explorer V6 Turbo's standard fuel tank has 1.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the 4Runner (20.2 vs. 19 gallons).

The Explorer has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it's removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The 4Runner doesn't offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Ford Explorer, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the 4Runner.

For better stopping power the Explorer's front brake rotors are larger than those on the 4Runner:

The Explorer stops much shorter than the 4Runner:

For better traction, the Explorer's optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 4Runner (275/45R21 vs. 265/70R17).

The Explorer's standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 65 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 4Runner SR5's standard 70 series tires. The Explorer's optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the 4Runner TRD Sport/Limited/Platinum's 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Explorer has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the 4Runner SR5. The Explorer's optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the 4Runner TRD Sport/Limited/Platinum.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the Explorer can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The 4Runner doesn't offer self-sealing tires.

The Explorer's drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The 4Runner doesn't offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Explorer's wheelbase is 6.9 inches longer than on the 4Runner (119.1 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

The Explorer ST 4WD handles at .86 G's, while the 4Runner Trailhunter pulls only .74 G's of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Explorer ST 4WD executes Motor Trend's “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium (26.4 seconds @ .72 average G's vs. 28 seconds @ .6 average G's).

For better maneuverability, the Explorer's turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the 4Runner's (38.4 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

Unibody construction lowers the Explorer's center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The 4Runner doesn't use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

The front grille of the Explorer uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The 4Runner doesn't offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Explorer Active 4WD is quieter than the 4Runner Trailhunter (66 vs. 70 dB).

The Explorer has 1 inch more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front legroom, 4 inches more front hip room, 3.8 inches more front shoulder room, 2.7 inches more rear headroom, 4.2 inches more rear legroom, 3 inches more rear hip room and 4.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the 4Runner.

The Explorer's cargo area provides more volume than the 4Runner.

The Explorer offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The 4Runner doesn't offer a remote starting system.

The Explorer (except Active)'s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver's seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The 4Runner doesn't offer an easy entry system.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don't have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Explorer's available exterior PIN entry system. The 4Runner doesn't offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Explorer's standard Intelligent Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Key standard on the 4Runner doesn't offer a sensor on the cargo door or the rear doors, so you'll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The Explorer's standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn't have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The 4Runner's standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Explorer has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the 4Runner only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn't as good.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Explorer to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The 4Runner doesn't offer rear side window sunshades.

The Explorer's optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The 4Runner offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don't dim.

The Explorer (except Active) offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren't available in the 4Runner.

The Explorer has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won't have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the 4Runner Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Ford Explorer, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Ford Explorer outsold the Toyota 4Runner by almost two to one during 2024.