2021 Ford Expedition vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of Honda’s fifth generation of compact crossovers, had a design that was both familiar and fun. Its exterior featured curvy, car-like lines with a family resemblance to Honda’s sedan lineup, giving it a station wagon look rather than a traditional SUV appearance. Inside, the CR-V’s interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery in higher trims clashing with some low-quality plastics. This reminded drivers that even the pricier CR-V models were still upgrades of a commodity car rather than true premium products.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Expedition Platinum was the epitome of luxury in Ford’s full-size SUV lineup. Starting from the base XL STX trim and culminating in the Platinum, the Expedition offered a range of features and options. The Platinum trim, with its Magnetic gray paint, 4WD, and Heavy Duty Trailer Tow Package, was a sight for sore eyes after a long flight. However, it struggled to accommodate all the luggage for six passengers, highlighting the utility of minivans over full-size SUVs. Despite this, the Expedition Platinum’s chrome grille, 22-inch wheels, and brightwork gave it a bold presence, and its leather-lined cabin provided comfort for all passengers.

The 2020 Honda CR-V featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This powertrain, previously reserved for higher trims, replaced the older 2.4-liter engine. The CR-V’s CVT was well-tuned, providing a quick response once the vehicle was moving, especially in Sport mode. The CR-V’s car-like road manners, nimble handling, and low curb weight of 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model contributed to its excellent performance. Fuel economy was also a strong point, with FWD models achieving 30 mpg combined and AWD models 29 mpg, making it one of the most fuel-efficient in its class.

The 2021 Ford Expedition, on the other hand, was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque in most trims, with the Platinum trim getting a boost to 400 hp and 480 lb-ft. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and offered either RWD or 4WD. The Expedition’s towing capacity ranged from 9,000 to 9,300 pounds, and it featured Ford’s Pro Trailer Backup Assist technology. Despite its size, the Expedition’s acceleration was impressive, and its adaptive damping suspension provided a comfortable ride, although the 22-inch wheels on the Platinum trim transmitted road shock into the cabin. The Expedition averaged 17.1 mpg in combined driving, according to our evaluation.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and clever storage solutions. Its cabin was roomy, with excellent head- and legroom for both the driver and passengers. The CR-V’s seating position and low cowl provided great front visibility. The cargo compartment was spacious, offering 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The CR-V also featured a smart two-position load floor and large door pockets, making it easy to store and access items.

The 2021 Ford Expedition, while spacious, had limitations in its regular-length version, which struggled to transport more than five people and their luggage simultaneously. However, the Expedition MAX addressed this issue with significantly more cargo space. The Expedition’s interior was comfortable, with large, wide seats for all passengers and plenty of storage for odds and ends. The cargo volume expanded from 19.3 cubic feet to 57.5 cubic feet with the third-row seat folded, and up to 104.6 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Expedition MAX offered even more space, with a maximum of 121.5 cubic feet of cargo room.

The 2020 Honda CR-V’s infotainment system showed its age, with a standard 5-inch screen in the LX trim and a 7-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, and even Apple CarPlay and Android Auto felt tacked on. However, the CR-V did offer plenty of USB ports in the EX trim and above, and the Touring trim included a wireless phone charger.

The 2021 Ford Expedition featured the Sync 3 infotainment system, which, despite its age, provided a user-friendly interface. The 8-inch touchscreen display was small by modern standards, but Sync 3 included features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a navigation system. The Expedition also offered Amazon Alexa compatibility and an impressive 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. However, the test vehicle did not include the available dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came standard with the “Honda Sensing” system, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. EX trims and above also featured blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic monitoring. The CR-V earned a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, although only the Touring trim’s LED headlights scored well in nighttime visibility tests.

The 2021 Ford Expedition, with its substantial curb weight, had a safety advantage over many other vehicles. It earned a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA, although its rollover-resistance rating was lower for RWD models. The Expedition came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims offered additional features like adaptive cruise control, semi-autonomous parking assistance, and a 360-degree camera system.