2021 Ford Explorer 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 enjoyable. Its exterior styling was characterized by soft, curvy lines that resembled Honda's sedan lineup, giving it a station wagon-like appearance rather than a traditional SUV look. This design approach made the CR-V a modern family transportation staple. However, the interior told a different story, with a mix of textures and materials. While higher trims featured appealing wood-look trim and leather upholstery, these elements clashed with the lower-quality plastics, reminding drivers that even the more expensive CR-V versions were essentially upgraded commodity cars. The CR-V offered four trim levels, starting with the base LX at an MSRP of $26,270, and included features like alloy wheels, fabric or leather seating, and a retractable moonroof on higher trims.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, part of Ford's SUV lineup, showcased a design that was both attractive and consistent with its family of vehicles. Its sporty, raked belt lines and distinctive front end made it stand out from other brands' SUVs. The Explorer offered six trim levels, ranging from the base model to the luxurious Platinum, with prices starting at $32,925. Inside, the Explorer provided three rows of seating as standard, with cloth upholstery on the base model. The dashboard featured a clean design with an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and a rotary gearshift, creating ample storage space. The XLT trim, the most popular choice, offered additional features like a power front passenger seat and nicer finishes, while leather upholstery was standard on higher trims.

The 2020 Honda CR-V featured a simplified lineup with 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 provided a well-matched driving experience, with the CVT offering a smooth and responsive performance. The CR-V's car-like demeanor translated into excellent road manners, with nimble handling and minimal body roll. Its lightweight design, with a curb weight of just 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model, contributed to its impressive fuel economy. FWD models achieved 30 miles per gallon combined, while AWD models managed 29 mpg, placing the CR-V at the top of its class in terms of fuel efficiency.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, at its lightest, weighed 4,345 pounds. Its base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivered 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, outperforming some competitors. The Explorer's 10-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift capability provided smooth gear changes. The Limited Hybrid trim offered a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque. Higher trims featured a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 engine, delivering up to 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque in the sport-oriented ST trim. The Explorer excelled in towing capacity, with the ability to tow between 5,000 and 5,600 pounds, depending on the configuration.

The 2020 Honda CR-V was known for its masterful packaging, offering a spacious cabin comparable to larger vehicles like the Volkswagen Tiguan. It provided ample head- and legroom for both the driver and passengers, thanks to its excellent seating position and low cowl. The cargo compartment was roomy, with a two-position load floor that allowed for flexible storage options, providing up to 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space. Clever storage solutions, such as a deep center console and large door pockets, made the CR-V easy to live with.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered seating for seven in the base trim, with captain's chairs in the second row for other trims, reducing seating capacity to six. It provided 39 inches of legroom for second-row passengers, making it competitive with other midsize SUVs. With the third row deployed, the Explorer offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space, and with the rear seats folded, it provided a total of 81 cubic feet of cargo room. While this was competitive, it was not exceptional for its class.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a 5-inch screen in the base LX trim and a 7-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were only available with the larger screen. However, the CR-V offered plenty of USB ports, with two in the front and two high-powered ones in the backseat. The Touring trim added a wireless phone charger.

The 2021 Ford Explorer came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, offering features like AM/FM radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G WiFi hotspot. Higher trims offered a 10.1-inch touchscreen and a premium Bang & Olufsen audio system with up to 14 speakers. The Explorer provided multiple charging options, including USB ports and 12-volt power points, with a 110-volt AC power outlet available on higher trims.

The 2020 Honda CR-V included the "Honda Sensing" system as standard, offering features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. It earned a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), with some caveats for lower trims due to headlight performance.

The 2021 Ford Explorer received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests. It offered the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features as standard, including blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist.