Ford Explorer vs Toyota Highlander Insurance Cost
The Ford Explorer is cheaper to insure by about $10 a year for full coverage by our estimate ($1,400 vs. $1,410), and cheaper in 51 of 51 states.
Side-by-side insurance estimate
| Coverage | Ford Explorer | Toyota Highlander | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| State minimum | $550 | $560 | −$10 |
| Standard (100/300/100) | $800 | $810 | −$10 |
| Full coverage | $1,400 | $1,410 | −$10 |
National average base rates, driver in their 30s with a clean record, latest model year of each car. Difference = Explorer minus Highlander.
Why one costs more to insure
| Factor | Ford Explorer | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Midsize SUV | Midsize SUV |
| Powertrains | Gasoline, Hybrid, Flex-fuel | Gasoline, Hybrid |
| HLDI collision (100 = avg) | 85 | 88 |
| HLDI comprehensive | 81 | 88 |
| HLDI property damage liability | 84 | 87 |
| HLDI bodily injury liability | 92 | 94 |
| NHTSA overall rating | 5★ | 5★ |
| NICB most-stolen rank | Not in top 10 | Not in top 10 |
| Recalls (latest 3 model years) | 29 | 7 |
Collision losses are the biggest swing factor: the Toyota Highlander has 3 points higher relative collision losses, meaning its crash repairs cost insurers more on average.
Explorer vs Highlander insurance by state
By driver profile (full coverage)
| Driver | Explorer | Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Teen driver (18, own policy) | $3,850 | $3,880 |
| Young adult (22) | $2,240 | $2,260 |
| Adult in their 30s | $1,400 | $1,410 |
| Adult in their 50s | $1,290 | $1,300 |
| Senior (72) | $1,570 | $1,580 |
| 30s, one at-fault accident | $2,030 | $2,045 |
| 30s, DUI on record | $2,590 | $2,610 |
More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ford Explorer or the Toyota Highlander cheaper to insure?
By our estimate the Ford Explorer is cheaper, by about $10 a year for full coverage ($1,400 vs. $1,410) for a driver in their 30s with a clean record.
Why does insurance cost differ between the Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander?
Mostly because of insurance-loss history: HLDI collision indices of 85 vs. 88 and comprehensive indices of 81 vs. 88 (100 = average), plus repair costs, theft rates and segment.
How we estimate this
We start from the state's average liability, collision and comprehensive premiums published by the NAIC, then apply a location factor (population density and commute time from the Census ACS, weather hazard scores from FEMA's National Risk Index), a vehicle factor (HLDI insurance-loss data where available, otherwise vehicle segment), and a driver-profile multiplier. Results are rounded ranges for comparison, not quotes. Read the full methodology.