2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2021 Ford Edge

The 2021 Ford Edge retained much of its styling from the 2019 refresh, which successfully integrated the current Ford design language with the existing Edge body. This refresh gave the Edge a cleaner look compared to the more elaborate designs of competitors like the Chevy Blazer and Hyundai Santa Fe. The Edge Titanium models featured extra chrome accents, while the ST trim boasted a blacked-out grille, 20-inch wheels, and a body kit. The ST-Line offered the same exterior styling as the ST but without the performance enhancements and higher price tag. Inside, the Edge's design showed its age, with awkward tweaks to accommodate new features like a larger touchscreen. The Titanium models had leather upholstery, and the ST models included sporty front seats with added bolstering and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with contrast stitching.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited, priced at $42,083 with options, looked like a standard RAV4 despite its fully-loaded status. It lacked the larger wheels of the non-hybrid RAV4 Limited and didn't offer an Adventure trim level due to its electronic AWD system. The RAV4 Hybrid had a tough appearance, needing only bolder wheels to enhance its look. Inside, it was stylish, functional, and practical, with a mix of impressive materials and glossy hard plastics. The test vehicle had a rattle from the license plate vibrating on the tailgate. Overall, the RAV4 Hybrid's interior was well-designed, with clear instrumentation and easy-to-use controls.

The 2021 Ford Edge featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The Edge ST performance model came with an EcoBoost twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 engine, delivering 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque on 93-octane fuel, standard AWD, and model-specific suspension tuning. The ST also had an option package with upgraded brakes and 21-inch wheels with summer tires. The Edge ST aimed to compete with performance SUVs like the Porsche Macan, though it fell short of that benchmark. The Edge's towing capacities ranged from 3,958 pounds for the base FWD model to 4,525 pounds for the V6-powered ST, though competitors like the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered higher towing capacities.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine with front and rear electric motors and a lithium-ion battery pack, producing 219 horsepower. The front electric motor generated 149 pound-feet of torque, and the rear motor produced 89 lb-ft. The RAV4 Hybrid offered several driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, Trail, and EV, with a whirring noise in EV mode to alert pedestrians. The hybrid weighed between 3,690 and 3,780 pounds, providing lively acceleration despite the four-cylinder engine's unpleasant sound when revving. The EPA rated the RAV4 Hybrid at 40 mpg in combined driving, and it averaged 39.7 mpg in testing. The continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) operated smoothly, and the regenerative braking system was effective. The RAV4 Hybrid's suspension and steering provided a comfortable and agreeable driving experience, though the all-season tires lacked grip in corners. The SUV handled well on various road conditions and offered 8.1 inches of ground clearance for off-road capability.

The 2021 Ford Edge offered competitive interior space, with the most rear-seat headroom among two-row midsize crossovers and ample legroom in both rows. It featured dual-zone automatic climate control as standard. Cargo space measured 39.2 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 73.4 cubic feet with them folded, trailing only the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. A foot-activated power liftgate was available on higher trims. The rotary shift knob freed up space on the center console, though the narrow console width limited its usefulness. The raised console provided a storage nook below, but its out-of-the-way location made it easy to forget items placed there.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered comfort with an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a tilt/telescopic steering wheel with a heated rim, and heated and ventilated front seats. The passenger seat lacked height adjustment but didn't need it. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed decent legroom, excellent foot space, and a reclining backrest, though the seat felt a bit low. The test vehicle included heated rear seats and air conditioning vents. The dashboard layout was user-friendly, with oversized climate control knobs and rubberized stereo knobs for better grip. The infotainment system was easy to use, and storage options included useful shelves and a center armrest with cupholders. The cargo area measured 37.5 cubic feet, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The test vehicle's premium sound system subwoofer and all-weather mat took up some cargo space.

The 2021 Ford Edge featured the latest Sync 4 infotainment system with a 12-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM with 360L satellite radio, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Edge ST models included a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Edge had four USB ports, including two rear USB ports added for the 2021 model year. Sync 4's simple graphics and straightforward menu layouts made it user-friendly, and not all competitors offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered several infotainment systems with either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen display, all supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The test vehicle had the top-shelf system with an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system, dynamic navigation, voice recognition, and various connected services. The 8-inch display was mounted at the top of the dashboard with shortcut buttons and stereo knobs. The dynamic voice recognition technology was fast and accurate, though it couldn't adjust climate settings. The JBL sound system was satisfactory. The RAV4 Hybrid also offered a 360-degree surround-view camera system and a rearview camera mirror.

The 2021 Ford Edge was an IIHS “Top Safety Pick,” scoring top ratings in all crash tests and front crash prevention tech in vehicle-to-vehicle situations. It received lower ratings for vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention, LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use, and headlights. The NHTSA gave the Edge a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover tests. Standard safety features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, post-collision braking, dynamic brake support, and rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control and Evasive Steering Assist were standard on all but the base SE trim.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high beams, and road-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning were standard on all but the Hybrid LE trim, and rear automatic braking was available on the Hybrid Limited. The NHTSA gave the RAV4 Hybrid a five-star overall rating, and the IIHS awarded top marks in all assessments except for headlights, with only the adaptive front headlights on the Hybrid Limited receiving a top rating.