2019 Ford Edge vs 2020 Toyota RAV4

The 2019 Ford Edge received a facelift that included a new grille, headlights, and lower front fascia, giving it a sportier appearance. The rear also saw updates with new taillights and a larger black panel replacing the red connector between the taillights. Despite these exterior updates, the interior remained largely unchanged from previous models, feeling dated and heavily reliant on plastics. The cabin did offer useful features like a new rotary shifter and plenty of standard and available features across its SE, SEL, Titanium, and ST trims.

In contrast, the 2020 Toyota RAV4 underwent a redesign in 2019, giving it a bolder and more angular appearance. The TRD Off-Road trim, new for 2020, added off-roading capabilities with smaller, lighter matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, and a special TRD suspension setup. The interior featured TRD logos, rubber floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat, contrasting with the quality construction and soft-touch materials. The RAV4's trim levels ranged from the base LE to the top-tier Limited, with the TRD Off-Road residing near the top.

The 2019 Ford Edge offered a 2-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine across all non-ST trims, producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, could be configured with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The ST trim featured a more powerful 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, exclusively with all-wheel drive. The ST provided impressive acceleration and cornering abilities, though its fuel economy was lower, averaging 19.9 mpg in spirited driving.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 came with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The RAV4 Hybrid model offered 219 horsepower and up to 40 mpg in combined driving but was not available in the TRD Off-Road trim. The 8-speed automatic transmission generally performed well, though it occasionally struggled with gear selection. The TRD Off-Road model featured a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system with multiple terrain-specific driving modes and 8.6 inches of ground clearance, making it capable on various surfaces. The test vehicle averaged 23.4 mpg, slightly below the EPA estimate.

The 2019 Ford Edge's cabin, though dated, was practical with deep storage bins, USB ports, and available wireless charging. The front seats were comfortable, but the ST's bucket seats were not ideal for taller individuals. The rear seats offered ample space, and the cargo area provided 39 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expandable to 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 offered easy entry and exit, with a low and sporty driving position in the 8-way adjustable driver's seat. The TRD Off-Road trim featured SofTex upholstery, with heated and ventilated front seats available through the Weather Package. The rear seats provided generous legroom, and the cargo space measured 37.6 cubic feet, expandable to 69.8 cubic feet. The test vehicle also included a robust roof rack and an optional hands-free power liftgate.

The 2019 Ford Edge's base infotainment system featured a small 4.2-inch non-touchscreen with basic functionality, including a USB port, WiFi hotspot, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered an 8-inch Sync 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration, providing a more user-friendly experience despite middling graphics.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4's infotainment system, available with a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen, included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The system was user-friendly, with menu shortcut buttons and separate climate controls. Upgrades included an embedded navigation system and a JBL premium sound system. The TRD Off-Road trim's voice-recognition technology was particularly impressive, and the optional Technology Package added features like wireless smartphone charging and a 360-degree surround-view camera.

The 2019 Ford Edge came standard with a reversing camera, traction control, and a full complement of airbags. Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assistance features included 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 the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package, adding adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and a lane-centering system.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) as standard, featuring advanced driving assist safety features like Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, radar adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, and more. Toyota also offered a free 1-year subscription to Safety Connect services. The RAV4 received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though only models with full LED, curve adaptive headlights achieved this rating.