2020 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

The 2020 Ford Explorer emerged as a striking vehicle on the road, outshining even more expensive competitors like the Land Rover Discovery with its refined, utilitarian design. Its sleek body panels and lower, more athletic stance made it appear trim and agile despite its size. Key design elements included widened headlights, an extra-large grille, and distinctive italic "Explorer" lettering on the hood's edge. The ST version, with its blacked-out trim, 21-inch rims, quad exhaust pipes, and rich Rapid Red paint, was visually appealing and made a strong impression.

However, the interior of the 2020 Ford Explorer was a letdown, particularly at its price point. The so-called leather felt like vinyl, and the door panels comprised the same rough plastic as found on municipal garbage cans. The design included fake carbon-fiber trim that intersected with even more coarse plastic. While some details like padded dashboard tops, aluminum speaker covers, and white stitching helped break the monotony, the cabin lacked the luxury expected in this price range. Competitors like the Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander offered better interior quality at a lower cost, setting the Explorer up for disappointment.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 adopted a rugged SUV-inspired exterior, with boxy fender flares, chiseled taillights, and a scowling front end that made it stand out from the crowd. This aggressive styling helped create the perception that the RAV4 was more than just an ordinary family car and brought a breath of fresh air compared to previous generations and rivals.

Inside, the RAV4's cabin featured rugged styling touches such as large rubberized knobs and door handles. Material quality varied, with lower trims offering good quality, but higher trims not providing a proportional upgrade in refinement. The TRD Off-Road model had SofTex upholstery, noted for being lighter and fairly durable, but real leather wasn't available even on the top-tier Limited trim. Despite these functional elements, the interior design highlighted the RAV4’s utilitarian nature without elevating it to luxury.

For the 2020 Ford Explorer, performance was a significant strength. The available engines and rear-wheel-drive (RWD) chassis provided an edge over its predecessor's front-wheel-drive (FWD) platform. The Explorer ST model, in particular, offered a dynamic experience with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This configuration delivered smooth and addictive power, making the SUV nimble and enjoyable to drive with remarkable cornering and excellent brake feel.

Other available powertrains included a 2.3-liter turbo inline-four engine generating 300 hp and 310 lb-ft, which was no slouch given its shared existence with the Mustang and fiery Focus RS. The gas-electric hybrid option in the Limited trim combined a 3.3-liter V6 with a single electric motor for a net 318 hp. However, this hybrid did not offer significant fuel economy benefits, rated at 23 mpg city, 26 highway, and 25 combined with AWD. The Explorer could tow up to 5,600 pounds with its V6 AWD setup, making it practical for those needing significant hauling capabilities.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 featured a "Dynamic Force" 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While this engine achieved impressive thermal efficiency, the rest of the RAV4's performance didn't match up. The transmission was often hesitant, and the steering, although responsive, lacked feel. The buzzy engine felt somewhat misplaced within the otherwise ordinary driving dynamics of the RAV4.

For those seeking more power and refinement, the RAV4 Hybrid (219 hp) and RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid (302 hp) were better options. The Adventure and TRD Off-Road models of the RAV4 included a torque-vectoring rear axle, 8.6 inches of ground clearance, and off-road-specific enhancements for improved, albeit still limited, off-road capability. These models could tow up to 3,500 pounds, which was decent for the class but not on par with the Explorer’s towing prowess.

The 2020 Ford Explorer provided ample interior space and comfort for long trips. The second row, with its air vents, USB ports, and panoramic moonroof, felt first-class. The third row was suitable for short journeys for adults, thanks to its airy feel and easy-access features. However, the flat bench seat could become uncomfortable over long distances. Cargo space behind the third row was 18 cubic feet, behind the second row, it was 48 cubic feet, and with all seats folded, it expanded to 88 cubic feet, one of the largest cargo areas in its class.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 offered a tall, upright roof that assured competitive headroom in both rows and decent outward visibility. However, legroom lagged behind some competitors, and the rear seats had flat, hard cushions, detracting from long-trip comfort. The 60/40 split-folding rear bench was standard, but it didn't slide fore and aft like in some rivals. Cargo space was 37.6 cubic feet with the rear seats in place, a practical figure but still less than the segment-leading Honda CR-V. Loading cargo was facilitated by a wide aperture, though the cargo lip was higher than desirable.

The RAV4's ergonomics included easy-to-use oversized knobs and convenient steering-wheel controls, but the console storage traded off space for specific compartments. While the RAV4 emulated an old-school SUV style, it lacked the large cupholders and storage convenience some consumers might expect.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen featuring Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi. Additional features included keyless entry, remote start, 3-zone climate control, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The keyless entry keypad provided a convenient way to secure the vehicle. For higher-end trims like the ST and Platinum, a Premium Technology Package included a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, enhancing usability and visuals.

However, the digital instrument panel had limitations, such as wasted screen space and limited customization options. Despite these shortcomings, Ford's tech package, including a semi-automated driving system called Co-Pilot360 Assist+, showed promise but needed refinement to reach peak performance.

In comparison, all 2021 Toyota RAV4 models included standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Display sizes varied with trim levels, starting at a 7-inch screen and topping off with a 9-inch screen for the RAV4 Prime. The infotainment system, while user-friendly, was not particularly flashy. Unlike some models, the gasoline RAV4 didn’t offer a head-up display, which was only available on the Prime variant.

The system's interface was simple and effective, with positionally advantageous graphics and shortcut buttons for ease of use. While not cutting-edge, the RAV4's technology was sufficient for most users.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came equipped with Ford Co-Pilot 360, featuring standard safety technologies like forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. The Assist+ option added features like adaptive cruise control and reverse braking, though, in practice, the reverse braking function occasionally triggered false alarms. The Explorer scored “Acceptable” in the small overlap test by the IIHS but had not been fully tested by the NHTSA at the time.

For the 2021 Toyota RAV4, the IIHS awarded it a “Top Safety Pick” rating, with “Good” scores in all crash tests and a “Superior” rating for front-crash prevention. However, it missed the “Top Safety Pick+” award due to mixed results in headlight ratings. The NHTSA gave the RAV4 a five-star overall rating, indicating high safety performance across various tests.

The Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 package, standard on all RAV4 models, included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. Higher trims added features such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic emergency braking, and park assist, with a 360-degree camera system available in specific packages.