2021 Ford Explorer vs 2020 Toyota RAV4

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 had a bold and angular appearance, a significant departure from its traditionally cute and compact look. The redesign aimed to reflect its proven durability. The Adventure trim, introduced in the previous year, enhanced off-roading capabilities with a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, multiple driving modes, and 8.6 inches of ground clearance. The new TRD Off-Road trim for 2020 took these features further with smaller, lighter matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, and a special TRD suspension setup. The TRD Off-Road trim also featured unique interior touches like TRD logos, rubber floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat, contrasting with the otherwise high-quality cabin materials.

The 2021 Ford Explorer maintained a family resemblance with other Ford SUVs, featuring sporty, raked belt lines and distinctive grilles varying by trim level. The Explorer offered six trim levels, from the base model to the luxurious Platinum, with prices ranging from $32,925 to $52,730. Inside, the Explorer provided three rows of seating as standard, with cloth upholstery on the base model and leather available on higher trims. The dash was clean and functional, dominated by an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and large knobs and buttons for audio and climate controls. The XLT trim, the most popular, offered better equipment and finishes, while higher trims provided even more luxury and technology.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 came with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The RAV4 Hybrid model offered 219 horsepower and up to 40 mpg in combined driving but was not available in the TRD Off-Road trim. The 8-speed automatic transmission generally performed well, though it occasionally struggled with gear selection. The TRD Off-Road model featured a torque-vectoring AWD system, multi-terrain select settings, and 8.6 inches of ground clearance, making it capable on various surfaces. Despite its off-road focus, the RAV4 TRD Off-Road handled urban environments well, though its all-terrain tires were not ideal for fast driving on mountain roads. The test vehicle averaged 23.4 mpg, slightly below the EPA estimate of 27 mpg.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, weighing 4,345 pounds at its lightest, offered a base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The Limited Hybrid trim increased power to 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims featured a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, delivering 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, with the sport-oriented ST trim offering 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. All trims used a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Explorer excelled in towing, with capacities ranging from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the configuration. However, it was not exceptional in this class, with competitors like the Subaru Ascent and Chevrolet Tahoe offering similar or higher towing capacities.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 offered easy entry and exit, with a low and sporty driving position in an 8-way adjustable driver's seat. The front passenger seat lacked height adjustment but provided good thigh support. The TRD Off-Road trim featured SofTex upholstery, which could trap sweat on hot days, but the Weather Package added heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat provided generous legroom, and the cargo space was ample, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 69.8 cubic feet with the seat folded down. The test vehicle also had a robust roof rack and an optional hands-free power liftgate.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered seating for seven in the base trim, with captain’s chairs in the second row reducing capacity to six in higher trims. The second row provided 39 inches of legroom, competitive with other midsize SUVs. With the third row deployed, the Explorer offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space, but the total cargo volume with the rear seats folded was 81 cubic feet, less than some competitors. The Explorer's interior was functional, with a clean dash, an 8-inch touchscreen, and ample storage options, including a rotary gearshift that freed up space in the center console.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 featured a user-friendly infotainment system with a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim. The system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, and multiple connected services packages. A 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was free for three months or 2GB of data usage. The TRD Off-Road trim impressed with its voice-recognition technology and optional Technology Package, which added wireless smartphone charging, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a digital rear-view mirror.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system. Higher trims featured a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and an optional 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Explorer provided multiple charging options, including two USB ports, five 12-volt power points, and a 110-volt AC power outlet in the ST trim. The Limited trim and above also included a wireless charging pad.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included advanced driving assist features like Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, radar adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, and blind spot assist with rear cross-traffic alert. Toyota also offered a free 1-year subscription to Safety Connect services. The RAV4 received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with top marks for crash protection and ADAS performance, though headlight performance was rated Marginal without full LED, curve adaptive headlights.

The 2021 Ford Explorer earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests and an Acceptable rating for adaptive headlights. The Explorer came with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and dynamic brake support. Higher trims offered additional features like adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and speed sign recognition.