2021 Ford Edge vs 2022 Toyota RAV4

The 2021 Ford Edge maintained a consistent styling since its 2019 refresh, which aligned its exterior with Ford's contemporary design language. This refresh effectively blended the current Ford aesthetic with the existing Edge body, offering a cleaner look compared to the more elaborate designs of competitors like the Chevy Blazer and Hyundai Santa Fe. The Edge Titanium models featured additional chrome accents to signify their premium status, while the Edge ST trim boasted a blacked-out grille, standard 20-inch wheels, and a body kit. The ST-Line offered similar exterior styling without the performance enhancements and higher cost of the ST. Inside, the Edge's design began to show its age, with a less modern feel compared to the exterior. The interior had been awkwardly modified over the years to incorporate new features, such as a larger touchscreen. Titanium models included leather upholstery, while ST models offered sporty front seats with extra bolstering and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, both featuring contrast stitching.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4, a staple in the crossover SUV market since its North American debut in 1996, evolved significantly over its five generations. Initially embraced by young buyers as a compact alternative to larger SUVs, the RAV4 grew in size and sophistication, becoming a sales leader and a mature crossover SUV. The 2022 model, part of a 2019 redesign, often topped the SUV sales charts in the United States. While its exterior styling blended with the current crossover design trends, closer inspection revealed unique details like angular wheel arches and crisp lines contrasting with organic body-side shapes. The RAV4's expressive headlights and distinctive grille created a playful yet aggressive look. Inside, the RAV4 featured a layered dash with contrasting textures and colors, anchored by a straightforward center stack. The touchscreen interface was positioned for minimal driver distraction. Unique design elements, such as a circuit-board-inspired pattern, tied the cabin together, appearing in seat inserts, sill plates, and dash pieces. The Adventure-trim test vehicle showcased 19-inch matte gray alloy wheels, further enhancing its distinctive style.

The 2021 Ford Edge offered a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It came with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The Edge ST performance model featured a twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 engine, producing 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque on 93-octane fuel, with standard AWD and model-specific suspension tuning. An optional package included upgraded brakes and 21-inch wheels with summer tires. The Edge ST, introduced in 2019, aimed to compete with performance SUVs like the Porsche Macan, though some enthusiasts questioned the ST badge on an SUV. While the Porsche comparison seemed ambitious, the Edge ST offered a sporty driving experience, especially since its competitors didn't focus on performance. The Edge demonstrated impressive refinement despite its aging platform, though the turbo-four engine in non-ST models felt somewhat sluggish. Towing capacities ranged from 3,958 pounds for the base FWD four-cylinder Edge to 4,525 pounds for the V6-powered Edge ST, respectable but lower than some competitors like the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 provided three powertrain options. The gasoline-only model, tested for this review, featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with Toyota direct injection and variable valve timing, producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque on regular gas. It came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard FWD, with optional AWD. Fuel economy for FWD models was 27-28 mpg city/35 mpg highway/30 mpg combined, while AWD models achieved 25-27 mpg city/32-34 mpg highway/28-30 mpg combined. The RAV4 Hybrid used a 2.5-liter engine with an electric motor, producing 217 combined net hp and achieving 41 mpg city/38 mpg highway/40 mpg combined. The RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid, with a 2.5-liter engine and a larger battery pack, delivered 302 hp, standard AWD, and an eCVT setup, with an EPA rating of 40 mpg city/36 mpg highway/38 mpg combined and up to 42 miles on electricity alone. The RAV4 Prime's charging options included a 3.3-kilowatt on-board charger, with faster charging available on XSE models. The gasoline Adventure AWD model tested offered adequate power for everyday driving, with smooth power delivery and no turbo lag. The eight-speed transmission provided familiar sensations, with quick kickdowns during acceleration. The RAV4's car-like handling, aided by MacPherson struts and a multi-link suspension, made it popular among drivers. AWD models featured Multi-Terrain Select tuning and dynamic torque vectoring, enhancing handling and fuel efficiency.

The 2021 Ford Edge, a five-seat midsize crossover, offered competitive interior space, with the most rear-seat headroom among its peers and ample legroom in both rows, second only to the Hyundai Santa Fe. Standard dual-zone automatic climate control added to passenger comfort. 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 Edge's rotary shift knob aimed to free up center console space, but the console's narrow width limited its effectiveness. A storage nook below the raised console provided additional space, though its location made it less accessible and easy to forget.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4, classified as a small SUV by the EPA, offered 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. It boasted a payload capacity of 1,050-1,230 pounds, depending on configuration. Towing capacities varied, with LE, XLE, XLE Premium, and Limited grades capable of towing up to 1,500 pounds, while Adventure and TRD Off-Road models could tow up to 3,500 pounds. RAV4 Hybrid models had a towing capacity of 1,750 pounds, and RAV4 Prime models could tow 2,500 pounds. Inside, the RAV4 accommodated four comfortably, with room for a fifth passenger in a pinch. The front row offered ample legroom, hip room, shoulder room, and headroom, with individual bucket seats separated by a spacious center console. Cupholders and bottle holders were plentiful, and storage options included a roomy glove compartment and covered storage beneath the center armrest. The middle seat in the second-row bench was less desirable but not uncomfortable.

The 2021 Ford Edge featured the latest Sync 4 infotainment system, with standard wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and a 12-inch touchscreen. Bluetooth, SiriusXM with 360L satellite radio, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot were also standard. Edge ST models included a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Edge offered four USB ports, with two rear USB ports, including one USB-C, added for the 2021 model year. While not tested in the Edge, Sync 4 in other Ford models received positive feedback for its simple graphics and straightforward menu layouts. Notably, not all competitors offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 came with a robust technology suite, starting with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, six-speaker audio, and compatibility with Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and Apple CarPlay. SiriusXM satellite radio, Safety Connect, Service Connect, and Wi-Fi Connect were included with trial subscriptions. Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity and streaming audio were standard. RAV4 XLE models and above upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen, while the Premium Audio setup on Limited models and the RAV4 Prime XSE featured an 11-speaker JBL audio system and navigation. The RAV4 Prime showcased advanced technology, with five USB ports, auxiliary power outlets, blue ambient illumination, a wireless smartphone charging pad, a bird’s-eye view camera system, and a 10-inch color head-up display.

The 2021 Ford Edge earned an IIHS "Top Safety Pick" designation, with top "Good" ratings in all crash tests and a "Superior" rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention. It received an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention, "Acceptable" ratings for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use, and varying headlight ratings. The NHTSA awarded 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 under Ford Co-Pilot360 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 2022 Toyota RAV4 featured Toyota's Star Safety System, including enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock braking, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. LATCH child-seat anchors and child-guard locks were standard. Safety Connect offered emergency assistance, stolen vehicle locator, roadside assistance, and automatic collision notification. Eight airbags protected the cabin. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, standard on all RAV4 models, included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, lane-tracing assist, and road sign assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking assist with automatic braking. The 2022 RAV4 was an IIHS Top Safety Pick, with the RAV4 Prime earning a Top Safety Pick+ designation. The NHTSA awarded the RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid five-star ratings.