2020 Toyota Highlander vs 2021 Ford Edge

The 2020 Toyota Highlander presented a design that was subtly refined from its predecessor, with a slanted tailgate glass and more pronounced body panel creases. The trapezoidal theme was evident in various elements, including the tailgate's license plate cutout and the grille. Higher trims like the Limited and Platinum featured projector-beam LED headlights and fog lights, along with new 20-inch wheels. The interior was where the Highlander truly shone, with quality fit and finish, silver-painted accents, and a multi-layered dash. The color palettes were pleasing, and the Limited trim boasted a three-tone interior. The Highlander's cabin was noted for its padded surfaces and rich textures, offering a level of detail and quality that was unmatched by most competitors.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Edge maintained a consistent exterior design since its 2019 refresh, which successfully integrated Ford's current look with the existing Edge body. The Edge Titanium models featured additional chrome, while the ST trim had a blacked-out grille and a body kit. Inside, the Edge's design was starting to show its age, with awkward tweaks to accommodate new features like a larger touchscreen. The Titanium models offered leather upholstery, and the ST models had sporty front seats with contrast stitching. Despite its aging platform, the Edge remained a cleaner-looking alternative to some of its more stylistically aggressive competitors.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. This engine delivered 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, providing smooth and brisk acceleration. The eight-speed automatic transmission made full use of the engine's power, although it required a heavy foot for kickdown. The Highlander's steering was loose, and its suspension was soft, leading to a ride that was more about comfort than precision. Despite these limitations, the Highlander offered a calming driving experience, especially on long road trips. Fuel economy was commendable, with the FWD model achieving 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined.

The 2021 Ford Edge primarily used a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. It came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered both FWD and AWD. The Edge ST performance model featured a more powerful 2.7-liter V6 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. The Edge ST was equipped with AWD and had model-specific suspension tuning. While the Edge ST aimed to compete with performance SUVs, it was more of a sporty option within its class. The Edge's towing capacities were respectable, with the V6-powered ST capable of towing up to 4,525 pounds.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander offered seating for eight, or seven with the second-row captain's chairs available on higher trims. The second-row seats were versatile, with generous adjustments and easy access to the third row. The Highlander excelled in ergonomics, with wide-opening rear doors and comfortable seat heights. Cargo space was ample, with 16 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second, and 84 cubic feet with both rows folded. The Highlander also featured practical storage solutions, including shelves integrated into the dash and multiple cupholders.

The 2021 Ford Edge, a five-seater, was competitive in interior space, offering the most rear-seat headroom among two-row midsize crossovers. It provided ample legroom in both rows, second only to the Hyundai Santa Fe. Cargo space was generous, with 39.2 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 73.4 cubic feet with them folded. The Edge's rotary shift knob was designed to free up console space, but the narrow console limited its effectiveness. The Edge also featured a storage nook below the console, though its location made it less accessible.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander's infotainment system was considered outdated, with low-resolution screens and a lack of onboard apps. The 12.3-inch touchscreen, optional on the Limited and standard on the Platinum, was criticized for its limited usable area. However, the Highlander offered standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. Upper trims featured a 10-inch head-up display and a 7-inch instrument cluster display. The semi-automated driving system was effective, and the optional JBL audio system provided decent sound quality.

The 2021 Ford Edge was equipped with Ford's latest Sync 4 infotainment system, featuring a 12-inch touchscreen and standard wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The Edge also included Bluetooth, SiriusXM with 360L satellite radio, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The ST models came with a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Edge's infotainment system was praised for its simple graphics and straightforward menu layouts, making it user-friendly.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear emergency braking. The Highlander received a 2020 Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, scoring top ratings in all crash tests.

The 2021 Ford Edge was also an IIHS Top Safety Pick, with top ratings in crash tests and front crash prevention tech. However, it received lower ratings for vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention and headlight performance. The NHTSA awarded the Edge a five-star overall safety rating. The Edge included standard safety features under the Ford Co-Pilot360 banner, such as automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. Adaptive cruise control and Evasive Steering Assist were standard on all but the base trim.