2020 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Toyota Sequoia

The 2020 Ford Explorer was a striking vehicle, boasting a more refined and athletic design compared to its predecessors. Its widened headlights, large grille, and distinctive "Explorer" lettering on the hood gave it a recognizable and bold presence. The ST version, with its blacked-out trim and sporty features, was particularly eye-catching. However, the interior left much to be desired, with materials that felt subpar for its price range. Despite its high cost, the Explorer's interior did not match the luxury of similarly priced competitors, making it feel overpriced for what it offered.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Sequoia, though dated in design, offered a robust and imposing silhouette. The subtle updates from 2018, including the grille and headlights, were not enough to modernize its appearance fully. Inside, the Sequoia's design felt reminiscent of the mid-2000s, with a massive center dash and a small touchscreen that seemed out of place. Despite its age, the Sequoia provided a comfortable and spacious cabin, especially in the second row, where passengers enjoyed ample headroom and legroom. The seats were supportive, making long journeys more pleasant.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a range of powerful engines, with the standout being the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 in the ST trim, delivering 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided smooth and addictive power delivery. The Explorer's rear-wheel-drive chassis contributed to its nimble handling and flat cornering, making it a joy to drive. The Explorer also offered a 2.3-liter turbo inline-four engine with 300 horsepower and a hybrid option with a net 318 horsepower. Towing capacities varied, with the V6 AWD capable of towing up to 5,600 pounds.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a 5.7-liter V8 engine, producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, provided strong acceleration despite the Sequoia's hefty weight. The Sequoia's driving dynamics were reminiscent of a truck, with a soft suspension and strong brakes. It could tow up to 7,400 pounds, which was less than some competitors but still respectable. The Sequoia's driving experience was characterized by its robust V8 and truck-like feel, appealing to those who preferred a more traditional SUV experience.

The 2020 Ford Explorer excelled in providing ample interior space, with 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second row, and 88 cubic feet with all seats folded. The second row felt luxurious with air vents, USB ports, and a panoramic moonroof. The third row was more spacious than previous models, accommodating six-foot-tall adults for short trips. However, the Explorer's thick D-pillars and fuzzy 360-degree cameras created blind spots, detracting from its otherwise intuitive driving experience.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia offered a cavernous interior, with nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, over 66 cubic feet with the third row folded, and an impressive 120 cubic feet with all rear seats down. The Sequoia's power-retractable rear window was a unique feature, allowing easy access to the cargo area. While the front-row space could have been better utilized, the Sequoia provided deep in-door pockets and a massive center console, offering plenty of storage options. Despite its age, the Sequoia's interior was practical and spacious.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen featuring Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi. Higher trims offered a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. While the interface was well-organized, it lacked innovation, and system updates required an external WiFi connection. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ system offered semi-automated driving features but was not as refined as competitors' systems.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. Our test model had a larger 9-inch screen, which still felt small on the large dash. The older infotainment system was straightforward to use, with hard buttons for easy navigation. The digital trip computer was small but functional, offering a simple and user-friendly experience.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with Ford Co-Pilot 360, which included forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. The Assist+ option added adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking. The Explorer had not been fully tested by the NHTSA, but the IIHS rated it Acceptable in the small overlap test on the driver's side.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. It also included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. The Sequoia scored four out of five stars in the NHTSA's rollover test but had not been rated in other crash tests.