2020 Toyota Highlander vs 2020 Ford Edge

The 2020 Toyota Highlander presented a moderately conservative design that did not overly stand out from its competitors. Changes from the previous model were noticeable, including a more slanted tailgate glass and exaggerated creases in the body panels that drew wide arcs around the front and rear fenders. The trapezoidal theme Toyota used was evident in various aspects of the exterior, from the license plate cutout on the tailgate to the shape of the grille and lower front bumper. With projector-beam LED headlights and fog lights on all except the base L trim, the higher trims like Limited and Platinum also featured LED running lamps and new 20-inch wheels.

Inside, Toyota invested considerable effort into the Highlander's cabin, where the quality of fit and finish was a highlight. The vehicle showcased silver-painted accents on the armrests, steering wheel, and gear selector, complemented by an 8-inch touchscreen. The dashboard's multi-layered design carried a mix of pleasing color palettes. The Limited trim's interior boasted a three-tone layout. Quality materials extended across the cabin, with padded surfaces and rich textures, placing the Highlander on par with the Kia Telluride in terms of interior quality.

Conversely, the 2020 Ford Edge retained a sense of familiarity with its design, which had been updated for the 2019 model year and carried over into 2020. The update maintained the Edge's resemblance to the Ford Fusion, with angular headlights and a large, trapezoidal grille. Although the Edge showed signs of aging, particularly in the interior layout first introduced in 2015, it still offered some contemporary touches, like the rotary shifter which addressed space and packaging concerns.

Inside, the Edge's cabin prioritized practicality with ample storage spaces and a design geared towards comfort and convenience. The overall layout remained familiar and functional, with durable materials but a noticeable use of hard plastics detracting from the otherwise solid fit and finish. Across its trims—from the base SE to the luxurious Titanium and sporty ST—the Edge catered to various preferences, each offering specific features to enhance the driving experience.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander came equipped with a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine, available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. This large V6 engine, shared with the Lexus RX, offered smooth and quiet operation with 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, managed through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The engine's performance was generally brisk, although achieving quick acceleration required a firm nudge on the accelerator. The Highlander's steering felt loose and required frequent adjustments at highway speeds, and its soft suspension contributed to a bouncy ride, which might not inspire confidence during spirited driving. However, this soft setup did align with the preferences of many Highlander buyers, who valued comfort over sporty handling.

The 2020 Ford Edge, on the other hand, provided a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivered 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, driving the front wheels or, optionally, all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup ensured strong low-end acceleration suitable for city driving, though highway merging required more effort. Those seeking more performance gravitated towards the Edge ST, which featured a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine generating 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, coupled with standard AWD. The ST’s sporty demeanor included heavy steering and excellent cornering capabilities, with an engaging Sport mode that adjusted the throttle response and transmission for a livelier drive.

For interior space and versatility, the 2020 Toyota Highlander seated eight passengers or seven with second-row captain's chairs (standard on Limited and Platinum trims). The flexibility of these seats, with generous legroom and easy access to the third row, was notable, particularly when compared to other competitors. The Highlander's cargo space measured 16 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 48 cubic feet with the third row folded, and reaching a maximum of 84 cubic feet with both rows down. This, combined with convenient features like a 120-volt outlet for rear passengers and multiple storage compartments, made the Highlander highly practical for families.

In contrast, the 2020 Ford Edge provided substantial space for five passengers with roomy second-row accommodations, ensuring comfort without the need to adjust the front seats. Cargo capacity in the Edge was considerable, offering 39.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down—a storage space competitive with peers like the Jeep Grand Cherokee but slightly less than the Honda Passport. The Edge also featured numerous cubbies and compartments designed for the rigors of daily use or extended road trips.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander continued using an older-generation infotainment system that felt outdated compared to rivals. Its maps lacked detail, and the process for using onboard apps through a connected phone was cumbersome. Both the 8-inch standard touchscreen and the 12.3-inch optional unit failed to utilize their full screen potential effectively. However, standard integration of Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa provided some modern conveniences. High trims benefited from a useful 10-inch head-up display and a 7-inch instrument cluster display. Semi-automated driving features like adaptive cruise control were proficient, contributing to overall driver convenience.

Ford's Edge impressed with its standard SYNC 3 infotainment system, touted for its ease of use and intuitive interface on an 8-inch touchscreen. The system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, eliminating the need for optional navigation if desired. Available voice-activated navigation with real-time traffic updates enhanced the technology suite. Additional tech features included a semi-digital instrument panel and optional rear-seat entertainment systems on higher trims.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, a comprehensive suite of safety features including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features such as blind-spot monitoring and rear emergency braking further enhanced safety. The Highlander received a 2020Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and was highly rated in crash tests, though its NHTSA ratings were pending at the time.

Similarly, the 2020 Ford Edge included a full suite of airbags and standard safety features, such as AdvanceTrac traction control with Roll Stability Control and Curve Control, tire pressure monitoring, and child seat anchors. The Ford Co-Pilot360 system, standard across all trims, featured advanced driver assistance technologies including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control and active lane centering for enhanced semi-autonomous driving capabilities. The Edge earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.