2019 Ford Edge vs 2020 Toyota Highlander

The 2019 Ford Edge underwent a noticeable exterior update, featuring a new grille, headlights, and a redesigned lower front fascia. The rear of the vehicle also saw changes, with new taillights and a larger black panel replacing the previous red connector, giving the Edge a sportier look across all trims. Despite these exterior enhancements, the interior remained largely unchanged from previous models, retaining a dated feel reminiscent of the 2010 version. The cabin, while functional with features like a new rotary shifter, was criticized for its heavy use of plastics and outdated design elements. However, the Edge offered a range of trims with varying features, from the base SE with standard 18-inch alloy wheels and keyless entry to the performance-oriented ST with unique styling touches and advanced features.

In contrast, the 2020 Toyota Highlander presented a more refined interior with a focus on quality fit and finish. The cabin featured silver-painted accents and a multi-layered dash with an 8-inch touchscreen, creating a modern and inviting atmosphere. The Highlander's interior was praised for its attention to detail, with padded surfaces and rich textures, particularly in the higher trims like the Limited and Platinum. While the exterior design was considered somewhat bland, the interior offered a level of comfort and quality that stood out among competitors. The Highlander also provided a versatile seating arrangement and ample cargo space, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2019 Ford Edge offered a range of performance options, starting with the non-ST trims equipped with a 2-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, provided reliable performance with the option of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive for an additional cost. The Edge ST, however, took performance to another level with a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, exclusively paired with all-wheel drive. The ST's performance was impressive, offering swift acceleration and precise handling, particularly in Sport Mode. Despite its sporty nature, the ST maintained a comfortable ride, even on rough roads. Fuel economy for the Edge varied, with the base model achieving 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway, while the ST returned 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine, providing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. This engine, shared with the Lexus RX, offered smooth and quiet operation, though it required a firm foot for quick acceleration. The Highlander's performance was characterized by a soft suspension and loose steering, which, while comfortable for most buyers, lacked the precision expected from a new chassis. The Highlander excelled in providing a calm and isolated driving experience, ideal for long road trips. Fuel economy was commendable, with the FWD model achieving 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway, and the AWD model slightly lower at 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. The Highlander also offered selectable driving modes and torque vectoring on higher trims, enhancing its versatility.

The 2019 Ford Edge, despite its dated interior, offered practical storage solutions with a deep cargo bin in the center console and additional storage at the bottom of the center stack. The Edge's front seats were comfortable, though the ST's performance bucket seats were less accommodating for taller individuals. The rear seats provided ample space, with generous head- and legroom, and the cargo area offered 39 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expandable to 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. This made the Edge competitive with other midsize crossovers, offering more space than some rivals.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander excelled in interior space and versatility, seating up to eight passengers or seven with optional second-row captain's chairs. The second-row seats were highly adjustable, providing generous legroom and easy access to the third row. The Highlander's design allowed for easy ingress and egress, with a comfortable seating height for all passengers. Cargo space was abundant, with 16 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second, and 84 cubic feet with both rows folded. The Highlander also featured numerous storage solutions, including eight cupholders, four bottle holders, and innovative dash shelves for personal items. The interior was designed for convenience and comfort, with simple controls and a user-friendly infotainment system.

The 2019 Ford Edge's base infotainment system was basic, featuring a small 4.2-inch non-touchscreen operated by buttons. While it included essential functions like a USB port, WiFi hotspot, and Bluetooth, it felt outdated compared to competitors. The available 8-inch Sync 3 system, standard on higher trims, offered a more modern experience with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration, though the graphics were considered average.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander's infotainment system, despite being part of a new model, felt dated with low-resolution screens and a lack of onboard apps. The optional 12.3-inch touchscreen, while large, did not fully utilize its size, as climate and fuel economy information were always displayed. However, the Highlander included standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The vehicle's technology was bolstered by a 10-inch head-up display and a 7-inch instrument cluster display, providing useful information. The Highlander also featured a semi-automated driving system with adaptive cruise control and other advanced safety features.

The 2019 Ford Edge came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including a reversing camera, traction control, and a full array of airbags. Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite was standard, offering automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beams, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims could be upgraded with Co-Pilot360 Assist+, adding adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and a lane-centering system.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 as standard, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and rear emergency braking. The Highlander was awarded a 2020 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, achieving top ratings in all crash tests and for its emergency braking capabilities.