2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2020 Ford Edge

The 2020 Ford Edge, a crossover SUV, was built on the same platform as the Ford Fusion sedan, offering a car-like ride with ample cabin space. Its second generation, introduced in 2015, received a styling update in 2019, which carried over to 2020. This update gave the Edge a modern look with angular headlights and a large trapezoidal grille, reminiscent of the Fusion. Inside, the Edge's layout remained largely unchanged since 2015, with some updates in 2019. The cabin featured a mix of soft-touch materials and hard plastics, with awkwardly arranged controls on the center console. The Edge was available in SE, SEL, Titanium, and ST trims, each offering a range of features from power-adjustable seats and infotainment systems to premium audio and sportier styling in the ST variant.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its final year of the current form, offered a Heritage Edition to celebrate its 65th anniversary. The standard model, however, was more subdued in appearance, with a basic two-box shape adorned with chrome and large lights. Inside, the Land Cruiser combined high-quality materials with a mix of Toyota and Lexus design elements, including a traditional hand-operated parking brake and a CD player. The interior was plush, with premium leather upholstery and a commanding view from the driver's seat. Despite its dated appearance, the Land Cruiser's interior was comfortable, with heated and ventilated seats, a four-zone climate control system, and a third-row seat that could accommodate adults if the second row was adjusted.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided solid low-end acceleration, making it suitable for city driving, though it struggled at higher speeds. The Edge's suspension was designed for American roads, offering a balance between comfort and engagement. For those seeking more power, the Edge ST featured a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. The ST variant offered a sportier driving experience with heavy steering, excellent cornering, and a Sport mode to enhance throttle response and transmission mapping.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine, shared with the Toyota Tundra. The engine's roar was subdued, contributing to a quiet cabin, but the fuel economy was less than 15 mpg. An eight-speed automatic transmission and a full-time four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case provided the Land Cruiser with impressive off-road capabilities. The SUV featured a Torsen limited-slip differential, mud-and-snow tires, and a suite of off-road technologies like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select. On pavement, the Land Cruiser offered a refined ride, though its size required more steering effort when parking.

The 2020 Ford Edge excelled in cabin layout, offering a commanding view of the road and ample storage space. The second-row seats provided generous head- and legroom, and the absence of a third row allowed for spacious seating. The Edge offered 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This cargo capacity surpassed that of some competitors, and higher trims featured a hands-free power liftgate.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior was luxurious, with premium leather upholstery and supportive seats. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the steering wheel was heated. The second-row bench seat was roomy and included heated cushions, while the third-row seat could accommodate adults if the second row was adjusted. The Land Cruiser offered 16.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 82.8 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded. The split clamshell-style liftgate provided convenient access to the cargo area.

The 2020 Ford Edge featured the SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, offering easy navigation through its user-friendly interface. Standard features included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, with optional voice-activated navigation on higher trims. The Edge also offered a semi-digital instrument panel and an optional rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's technology was more dated, with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that required tapping rather than swiping. It lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but offered Siri Eyes Free voice control and a three-month SiriusXM subscription. The dashboard featured large buttons and knobs for easy control, and the rear-seat entertainment system included 11.6-inch displays with DVD and HDMI capabilities. A 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system provided good sound quality.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Ford Co-Pilot360 system added advanced driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Edge received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured 10 airbags and Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. However, the Land Cruiser lacked more advanced driving assistance systems like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and automated lane-keeping.