Which three-row SUV feels more confident on the highway and when towing around Brighton, MI - the 2026 Ford Explorer or 2026 Toyota Highlander?

Lasco Ford - Which three-row SUV feels more confident on the highway and when towing around Brighton, MI - the 2026 Ford Explorer or 2026 Toyota Highlander?

Shoppers often ask one core question when cross-shopping these two family staples: which three-row SUV feels more confident on the highway and when towing, especially on busy routes around Brighton, MI? The answer tends to come down to platform dynamics, power reserves, and driver-assistance that reduces fatigue. Explorer’s rear-wheel-drive foundation provides a more balanced feel with reassuring on-center stability, and when equipped, its all-wheel drive adds secure traction in rain and snow. Its turbocharged engines offer strong torque for merging and passing, which matters when your SUV is fully packed or backed by a trailer. Highlander delivers a refined ride and offers a hybrid option many households value, but its front-drive-based layout and lower peak output give Explorer the edge in poise when you are hustling up to speed or cresting hilly highway stretches with gear in tow.

Beyond raw numbers, features that support stress-free road trips set the tone for how relaxing your SUV feels during a long day behind the wheel. Explorer’s available BlueCruise enables hands-free driving on prequalified divided highways and works with adaptive cruise and lane centering to reduce the small corrections that tire you out by the end of a multi-hour journey. The standard 13.2-inch touchscreen running the Ford Digital Experience, with built-in Google apps and select video streaming while parked, simplifies planning breaks and keeping passengers engaged at rest stops. Highlander counters with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, available Panoramic View Monitor, and user-friendly infotainment that includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Both are modern and capable, yet Explorer’s combination of rear-wheel-drive confidence, muscular turbocharged performance, and advanced highway assist makes it feel calmer and more controlled in the scenarios families face most.

To help you zero in on the right fit for your routine, consider these practical checkpoints as you compare:

• Highway composure: Does the SUV track confidently with minimal corrections at 70 mph, especially in crosswinds?
• Passing power: Can it accelerate assertively from 50 to 70 mph with passengers and cargo aboard?
• Towing assurance: How settled does it feel with a trailer attached on rolling grades and during lane changes?
• Driver relief: Are advanced assists available to reduce fatigue during long interstate segments?
• Cabin tech: Is the core infotainment display large, responsive, and useful without a phone connected?

Frequently Asked Questions:

Does rear-wheel drive really make a difference for family SUVs?

Yes. A rear-wheel-drive platform typically offers more balanced weight distribution and a more settled feel when accelerating, cornering, or towing. That planted character adds confidence on uneven surfaces and when highways turn blustery.

How do the driver-assist systems compare on longer trips?

Explorer’s available BlueCruise enables hands-free driving on prequalified divided highways, easing the constant micro-corrections that add fatigue over time. Highlander’s Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ delivers excellent active safety and driver assistance, but it is not a hands-free system.

What about cabin tech for families juggling devices?

Explorer includes a standard 13.2-inch touchscreen with built-in Google apps and eight USB ports, including third-row availability, which simplifies navigation, streaming while parked, and device charging. Highlander offers available large screens, wireless smartphone integration, and thoughtful charging solutions as well.

When you are ready to test how these differences feel in the real world, a back-to-back drive can be revealing. One route with highway segments, a few rolling hills, and a short stop to test cargo access will quickly highlight stability, response, and usability. For friendly guidance and an easy comparison drive, Lasco Ford is here with product specialists who know the details and can help you tailor a configuration to your needs, serving Grand Blanc, Brighton, and Hartland. Bring your family, bring your gear, and bring your questions—seeing and feeling the differences is the best way to choose with confidence.

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