For families in the Inland Empire, choosing the right midsize SUV means balancing space, safety, tech, and comfort. The Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander have long been top contenders in the segment. Let's break down what each offers to help Chino Hills families make the best choice.
Room for Family and Cargo
The Ford Explorer offers a three-row cabin that seats up to seven passengers. It provides flexible cargo solutions, including fold-flat third-row seating and generous in-floor storage, making it a smart pick for road trips or after-school pickups. It's a well-rounded choice if your family needs both room and flexibility.
The Highlander seats up to eight but focuses more on passenger comfort than sheer cargo room. Its third row is best suited for kids, trading space for a more compact footprint. Highlander ranks slightly behind Explorer in utility but still earns solid marks for comfort.
Powertrain and Fuel Efficiency
The Explorer's turbocharged EcoBoost® engines deliver robust performance, with some trims offering hybrid capability. Most models achieve an EPA-estimated 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway-strong for a vehicle of its size and power.
While the Highlander edges ahead in MPG with its available hybrid powertrain, the Explorer's available Co-Pilot360 safety suite and stronger powertrain lineup make it the more dynamic of the two.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Inside the Explorer, tech lovers will appreciate Ford SYNC® 4 with a 13.2-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, voice recognition, and cloud-based updates. This next-gen infotainment system creates a seamless in-cabin experience-one that you'll also find in many of our new Ford SUVs.
The Highlander offers a more modest tech package by comparison, with an 8-inch screen standard and a 12.3-inch option on higher trims. While both SUVs provide smartphone integration, the Explorer's larger screen and enhanced voice control offer a premium edge.
Safety and Driver Assistance
Ford Explorer models come standard with Ford Co-Pilot360™, which includes blind spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and available Active Park Assist 2.0 for self-parking. These features contribute to the Explorer's status as one of the best family SUVs in Chino Hills, especially when safety is a top concern.
Highlander models come with Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+, which also offers a full suite of assistance features-but lacks some of the more advanced parking and towing aids found in the Explorer lineup.
Comfort, Refinement, and Ride Quality
The Explorer's cabin feels upscale with soft-touch surfaces, ambient lighting, leather seating, and available Recaro performance seats. It's designed to support long drives and growing families without compromising on refinement.
The Highlander focuses on simplicity and comfort, offering three-zone climate control and supportive seating. It does the job well but doesn't offer the same premium cabin feel found in Explorer trims like the Platinum or ST-Line.
If you're unsure which trim is right for you, you can always get pre-qualified online and compare lease or finance options based on your budget.
Which SUV Is Best for Chino Hills Families?
If you want advanced safety tech, sharper handling, and a premium cabin, the Explorer is ideal.
If fuel efficiency, hybrid power, and strong safety ratings are your priority, the Highlander shines.
Both offer strong family-friendly features, but your choice depends on whether you lean toward sporty refinement or budget-conscious efficiency. Take both for a test drive around Chino Hills to see which suits your family's lifestyle best. Then visit Chino Hills Ford to explore our current new inventory and experience the Explorer firsthand.