2020 Ford Expedition vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Ford Expedition, last redesigned in 2018, was a full-size SUV with a clean, albeit somewhat boring, design. This simplicity in styling was expected to age well, making it a good long-term investment. The King Ranch variant stood out with its 22-inch aluminum wheels, mesh grille insert, LED headlights, and exclusive gray-painted lower exterior trim. The Star White metallic paint on the test model looked impressive, though the taillight shape and roof C-pillar design were points of contention. Inside, the King Ranch featured special Del Rio leather in Mesa over Ebony, adorned with King Ranch cattle-brand logos, which sparked mixed reactions from passengers. Despite the luxurious feel, the presence of hard plastic in lower trims like the XLT was disappointing, especially given the high price tag.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V had a design that blended in with other compact crossovers, making it hard to distinguish from competitors. The CR-V's grille and some chromed plastic features were its few unique exterior elements. Available in eight colors, the palette was dominated by shades of gray, black, and white, with vibrant options like Aegean Blue Metallic and Radiant Red Metallic being rare finds at dealerships. Inside, the CR-V offered black, gray, and ivory cloth or leather, depending on the trim. Higher trims featured wood panels and more chrome for an upscale look. The seats had a modern, angular design, but competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson offered more distinctive styling.

The 2020 Ford Expedition was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 375 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided robust acceleration and a pleasant exhaust note. The Expedition offered rear-wheel drive as standard, with an optional four-wheel-drive system. It had a ground clearance of 9.8 inches (9.7 inches for the MAX 4WD) and impressive towing capacities of up to 9,300 pounds. The adaptive damping suspension on the King Ranch trim improved ride quality, though the large 22-inch wheels sometimes made the ride busy on imperfect roads. The independent rear suspension design enhanced ride and handling while maximizing interior space. Fuel economy averaged 17.7 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 19 mpg.

The 2021 Honda CR-V featured a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine across all nine trims, excluding the hybrid variants. It accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.8 seconds, which was competitive within its class. The CR-V's continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided smooth, steady acceleration but lacked engagement compared to competitors with conventional automatic transmissions. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The CR-V's suspension setup included MacPherson struts in the front and a multi-link rear suspension, offering decent handling and ride quality. While not designed for high-performance driving, the CR-V excelled in providing a comfortable and predictable driving experience.

The 2020 Ford Expedition excelled in towing, cargo capacity, and passenger comfort. The King Ranch trim featured power running boards for easy access, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The second-row captain’s chairs were heated and provided first-class accommodations, with easy access to the third-row bench. The third-row seat was genuinely comfortable for adults, thanks to the independent rear suspension design. Cargo space in the standard-length Expedition was 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 104.6 cubic feet with the second row folded. The long-wheelbase Expedition MAX offered even more cargo space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 73.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 121.5 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was designed to comfortably fit five people and their gear. It offered 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume, slightly more than the Toyota RAV4. With the rear seats folded, the CR-V provided 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space. Depending on the trim, the tailgate could be manually operated, power-operated, or hands-free. Roof rails were standard only on the top-tier Touring trim. The CR-V's interior featured practical storage solutions and a modern design, though it lacked some of the upscale touches found in competitors.

The 2020 Ford Expedition featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 3, which included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While Sync 3 was user-friendly, it occasionally lagged. The Expedition also offered FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, a navigation system, a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system, and a rear-seat entertainment system. Pro Trailer Backup Assist was a standout feature for those who frequently towed trailers, making it easier to maneuver.

The 2021 Honda CR-V's base LX trim had a 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity. All other trims featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Special Edition and EX trims had a 180-watt audio system with six speakers, while the EX-L added two more speakers. The Touring trim boasted a 300-watt system with a subwoofer and satellite navigation. Charging ports were plentiful, with USB ports in the front and second rows, and the Touring trim included a wireless phone charger.

The 2020 Ford Expedition's size and weight contributed to its crash safety, earning it 5-star ratings in NHTSA tests and a 4-star rollover resistance rating. It came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, which included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The ADAS technology was smooth and accurate, enhancing overall safety.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. However, it missed the Top Safety Pick+ rating due to lower scores in headlight evaluation and the updated side crash test. The CR-V's LATCH child safety seat anchoring system received an "Acceptable" rating. Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced safety features, was standard across all trims, including a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. Blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard from the EX trim upwards.