2021 Ford Explorer vs 2022 Toyota Venza

The 2021 Ford Explorer had a design that fit well within Ford's SUV lineup, sharing a family resemblance with models like the Escape, Edge, and Expedition. Its exterior was sporty, with raked belt lines and distinctive visages, though it could be hard to distinguish from the Edge at a quick glance. The Explorer offered six trim levels, each with varying grille designs and price points ranging from $32,925 to $52,730. Inside, the Explorer featured three rows of seats as standard, with cloth upholstery on the base model and leather available on higher trims. The dash was clean, with an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and a rotary gearshift that freed up storage space.

The 2022 Toyota Venza, reintroduced after a hiatus, rode on the proven Toyota New Global Architecture K platform. It measured 186.6 inches long, 73.0 inches wide, and 65.9 inches tall, with a 105.9-inch wheelbase. The Venza's exterior design was modern and Lexus-like, with a deeply scalloped body side and a prominent nose. Inside, the Venza featured an elegant layout with high-quality materials. The dash was layered, taking advantage of a steep windshield, and the touchscreen display was well-placed. The front seats were supportive, and the rear seats could comfortably accommodate three adults.

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. This engine outperformed the Kia Telluride's V6, though the Telluride was lighter. All Explorer trims featured a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Limited Hybrid trim had a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims came with a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, delivering 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, while the sport-oriented ST trim offered 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer's towing capacity ranged from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the trim and engine.

The 2022 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with three electric motors, producing a combined 219 horsepower. The Venza balanced electric and gas drive for optimal efficiency and performance, with drivers able to choose between EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport drive modes. Regenerative braking helped recharge the lithium-ion battery, and the Venza's hybrid setup required no special attention. The Venza offered sprightly performance and agile handling, with a ride and performance suited for a midsize family hauler.

The 2021 Ford Explorer had seating for seven in the base trim, with captain's chairs in the second row for other trims, reducing capacity to six. It offered 39 inches of legroom for second-row passengers, ahead of some competitors but behind others like the Kia Telluride. With the third row deployed, the Explorer provided 21 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 81 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Toyota Venza seated five in two rows, with bucket seats in the front and a 60/40-split folding second-row bench. The second row had 45.2 inches of hip room, adequate for three adults. The cabin felt roomy, especially with the available Star Gaze panoramic glass roof. Convenience features included an overhead console, power-adjustable front seats, an electric parking brake, and ample storage. The Venza offered 28.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 55.1 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2021 Ford Explorer's base trim came with an 8-inch touchscreen, AM/FM radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system, and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trims offered a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and up to 14 speakers. Charging options included two USB ports, five 12-volt power points, and a wireless charging pad from the Limited trim up.

The 2022 Toyota Venza featured an eight-inch touchscreen, AM/FM/HD Radio, SiriusXM, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and Bluetooth connectivity. The Limited trim added a nine-speaker JBL audio system, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and intelligent touch-capacitive controls. Toyota Connected Services included Safety Connect, Service Connect, Remote Connect, and WiFi Connect. An Advanced Technology Package offered a head-up display and rain-sensing wipers.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights. The Ford Co-Pilot360 suite included 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 added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and speed sign recognition.

The 2022 Toyota Venza's standard Toyota Star Safety System included stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, smart stop technology, and a rearview camera. It also had eight airbags, three-point seatbelts, LATCH anchors, and child safety locks. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, lane tracing assist, and road-sign assist. The Venza received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.