2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2020 Ford Expedition

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 SUV looked impressive, though the taillight shape and body-colored C-pillar were points of contention. Inside, the King Ranch featured Del Rio leather in Mesa over Ebony, with numerous King Ranch logos, which some found unsettling. Despite the luxurious feel, the presence of hard plastic, especially in lower trims, was disappointing for a vehicle in this price range.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited, priced at $42,083 with options, didn't visually distinguish itself from rental car lot models. It lacked the larger wheels of the non-hybrid Limited and an Adventure trim level. Despite this, the RAV4 Hybrid had a tough look, needing only bolder wheels to complete the image. Inside, it was stylish and practical, with a mix of quality materials and hard plastics. A rattle from the license plate was a minor annoyance. The interior was functional, with clear instrumentation and well-placed controls, though the graphics were a bit overdone. Storage was ample, with useful shelves and a roomy cargo area, though the subwoofer and all-weather mat were cumbersome.

The 2020 Ford Expedition featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, producing 375 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. The 10-speed automatic transmission delivered power to the rear wheels or an optional 4WD system. With 9.8 inches of ground clearance (9.7 for the MAX 4WD), the Expedition could tow up to 9,300 pounds with rear-drive and 9,200 pounds with 4WD. The driving experience was mostly pleasing, with the engine providing ample power and the 10-speed automatic finding the right gear. The adaptive damping suspension on the King Ranch helped with ride quality, though the 22-inch wheels sometimes made the ride busy. The independent rear suspension improved ride and handling, offering more interior space. Fuel economy averaged 17.7 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 19 mpg.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine with front and rear electric motors, producing 219 horsepower. The front motor generated 149 pound-feet of torque, and the rear motor 89 lb-ft. The RAV4 Hybrid offered several driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, Trail, and EV. Weighing between 3,690 and 3,780 pounds, it felt lively when accelerating, though the engine sounded unpleasant when revving. The EPA rated it at 40 mpg combined, and it averaged 39.7 mpg in testing. The CVT operated transparently, and the regenerative braking system was smooth. The steering was well-weighted, and the suspension design maximized ride and handling qualities, though the tires lacked grip. The RAV4 Hybrid handled well on roads and was comfortable as a daily driver, with 8.1 inches of ground clearance for light off-roading.

The 2020 Ford Expedition excelled at towing, carrying cargo, and hauling people. The King Ranch’s power running boards made entry easy, and the seats were comfortable, especially the heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row captain’s chairs provided first-class accommodations, and the third-row seat was genuinely comfortable for adults, thanks to the independent rear suspension. Cargo space was 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row in the standard-length Expedition and 34.3 cubic feet in the MAX. With the third row folded, space increased to 57.5 cubic feet (73.3 in the MAX), and with the second row down, it offered 104.6 cubic feet (121.5 in the MAX).

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered comfort with an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Rear-seat legroom was decent, with good foot space and reclining backrests, though the seat felt a bit low. The dashboard was well-arranged, with large climate control knobs and easy-to-use infotainment. Storage was ample, with useful shelves and a center armrest with cupholders. The cargo area offered 37.5 cubic feet, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The subwoofer and all-weather mat were minor inconveniences.

The 2020 Ford Expedition featured an 8-inch Sync 3 touchscreen infotainment system, which was easy to use but sometimes slow to respond. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, a navigation system, and an available Bang & Olufsen sound system. The rear-seat entertainment system and Pro Trailer Backup Assist were notable features, with the latter making trailer maneuvering easier.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered infotainment systems with either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen, all supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM. The top-shelf system included an 11-speaker JBL audio system, dynamic navigation, and voice recognition. The 8-inch display was user-friendly, with shortcut buttons and stereo knobs. The dynamic voice recognition was mostly accurate, though it couldn’t adjust climate settings. The JBL sound system was satisfactory, and camera-based technology like a 360-degree surround-view system and rearview camera mirror were available.

The 2020 Ford Expedition came with Ford Co-Pilot360, including 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 worked well, though the lane departure warning vibration was sometimes hard to distinguish from road surface vibrations. The Expedition earned 5-star ratings in NHTSA crash tests, with a 4-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and road-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning were standard on most trims, with rear automatic braking available on the Hybrid Limited. TSS 2.0 was generally effective, though lane-centering assistance and adaptive cruise control had some quirks. The RAV4 Hybrid earned five stars in NHTSA crash tests and top marks from IIHS, except for its headlights.