Ford Explorer vs Toyota Highlander: resale value, depreciation and costs
We compared 4,122 listing observations from the 2026 market cycle to see which model retains more value, costs less used, and brings the stronger ownership numbers.
By CarResaleValue Editorial · Updated August 2026 · Sources: observed used-car listings, EPA, NHTSA and RepairPal
Toyota Highlander holds more value after five years
In the 2026 market cycle, the Ford Explorer is estimated to retain 54.1% of its original value after five years, while the Toyota Highlander retains 70.1%. That is a 15.9-point edge for the Toyota Highlander; year, trim, mileage, condition and local demand still determine the price of a specific vehicle.
Comparison Scorecard
The numbers that change the decision
Green cells mark a measurable advantage, not an overall verdict. Price and coverage are shown without declaring a winner because the right tradeoff depends on your budget and the exact vehicle.
Ford Explorer vs Toyota Highlander resale value and ownership metrics
Metric
Ford Explorer
Toyota Highlander
5-year value retainedSmoothed estimate in the 2026 market cycle
54.1%
70.1%
5-year depreciationEstimated share of original value lost
45.9%
29.9%
Average used asking priceMedian asking prices averaged across covered model years
$24,826
$29,724
Average original MSRPOriginal sticker prices averaged across covered years
$43,966
$42,145
Latest combined fuel economy2026 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Toyota Highlander
21 MPG
31 MPG
Average annual repair costRepairPal model-level estimate
Not available
Not available
RepairPal reliability ratingOut of 5.0
Not available
Not available
Latest NHTSA overall rating2025 vs 2026
5 / 5 stars
5 / 5 stars
Listing observationsEvidence behind the model-level curves
2,204
1,918
Year By Year
Compare overlapping model years
These 12shared model years make age-matched shopping easier. Depreciation compares each year's normalized asking price with its original MSRP.
Shared model-year depreciation and median asking prices for the Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander
Start with the tradeoff you care about, then verify the exact year, trim, mileage and service history. A model-level advantage can disappear when two individual used cars are not equivalent.
Choose the Ford Explorer if...
Its average median used asking price is $4,898 lower across the covered model years.
You found a specific example with the stronger year, trim, mileage, condition or service history; those details can outweigh a model-level average.
Its $24,826 average median asking price fits your budget after you check the same-year rows below.
Resale value is only one part of the choice. Segment role, supply and the mix of years on sale help explain why two similarly priced vehicles can depreciate differently.
Ford Explorer
Ford Explorer coverage spans 2015-2026.
Toyota Highlander
Toyota Highlander coverage spans 2015-2026.
Go Deeper
Open the full model-year research
Compare trims, mileage, recalls, fuel costs and current listing examples before deciding on one specific car.
Which holds its value better, the Ford Explorer or Toyota Highlander?
Toyota Highlander has the stronger five-year result in this comparison. The Ford Explorer is estimated to retain 54.1% of its original value after five years versus 70.1% for the Toyota Highlander, using the same 2026 observation cycle. The difference is 15.9 percentage points. This is a model-level curve, not an appraisal for one VIN; trim, mileage, condition, options and location can change an actual resale price.
Is the Ford Explorer or Toyota Highlander cheaper to buy used?
Across the model years in this dataset, the Ford Explorer has the lower average median asking price at $24,826, about $4,898 below the Toyota Highlander average. That broad average is a starting point, not a like-for-like quote, because each model can have a different year range, trim mix and mileage distribution. The year-by-year table is the better place to compare vehicles of the same age before checking listings near you.
Which is less expensive to maintain, the Ford Explorer or Toyota Highlander?
The available model data does not provide a complete annual repair-cost estimate for both vehicles, so this page does not name a maintenance-cost winner. Use the RepairPal ratings where shown, review recalls and complaints in each model-year guide, ask for service records, and budget for an independent pre-purchase inspection. Age, mileage, powertrain and previous maintenance usually matter more than a single broad reliability score.
How does CarResaleValue compare the Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander?
CarResaleValue normalizes observed used-car asking prices to a standard 12,000 miles per year, applies a 5% asking-to-sale adjustment, and compares the result with original MSRP references. A smoothed retention curve produces the five-year estimate when the data contains an observed five-year cohort. This page combines 4,122 listing observations across 24 model-year records, then adds EPA fuel economy, NHTSA safety data and RepairPal ownership indicators where available.
Comparison methodology
This page combines 4,122 listing observations across 24 model-year records. Asking prices are mileage-normalized to 12,000 miles per year, adjusted by a 5% asking-to-sale estimate, and compared with original MSRP references. Five-year figures use a smoothed curve only when an observed five-year cohort exists. EPA, NHTSA and RepairPal fields are shown independently and may cover different model years. Read the full CarResaleValue methodology. You can also browse the suv resale value ranking.
