2022 Ford Expedition vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was anything but mundane, standing out among the sea of midsize SUVs with its distinctive design. Its wide headlights, long hood, and assertive trapezoidal grille gave it a commanding presence. The character line along its side, reminiscent of the Supra sports car, and Lexus-like taillights added to its unique appeal. The Highlander XSE trim, with its aggressive front end and sporty appearance package, further enhanced its visual allure. Inside, the Limited trim exuded luxury with its near-flawless fit and finish, tan leather seats, and elegant wood details, making it a comfortable and upscale choice for families.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Expedition underwent significant styling revisions, presenting a fresh face with a new grille, headlights, and bumper. The rear also received updates with revised taillights and tailgate trim. The Expedition offered a range of trims, including the off-road-focused Timberline and the sporty Stealth Edition. Inside, the Expedition boasted a redesigned dashboard with the latest Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems. The spacious cabin featured leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a massive storage bin. The Expedition's interior was designed for comfort and convenience, making it a top choice for families seeking a full-size SUV.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it offered smooth and predictable performance, whether in front-wheel or all-wheel drive. While not a powerhouse, the Highlander provided adequate power for highway merging and city driving. Its suspension was tuned for comfort, making it a pleasant ride for families. The XSE trim added sportier suspension components, appealing to those seeking a bit more driving excitement without sacrificing practicality.

The 2022 Ford Expedition featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, producing 380 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. With a 10-speed automatic transmission, it offered impressive power and towing capabilities, ranging from 9,000 to 9,300 pounds. The Expedition's engine delivered a satisfying sound and performance, though it came at the cost of fuel efficiency, with observed fuel economy at 16.2 mpg. The Stealth Edition's sport-tuned suspension improved handling but resulted in a harsher ride. Despite its size, the Expedition was surprisingly easy to park, thanks to excellent visibility and advanced parking aids.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander excelled in interior space and functionality. It featured convenient shelves ahead of the front seats for storage, along with a wireless charging pad in higher trims. Second-row passengers enjoyed ample legroom, with seats that could slide to optimize space for the third row. However, the third row was best suited for children or shorter trips. Cargo space was limited to 16 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.3 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

The 2022 Ford Expedition offered exceptional comfort and space, with power-adjustable, leather-wrapped front seats and a spacious cabin. Second-row captain's chairs provided ample legroom and climate controls, while the third row offered power recline and USB ports. Cargo space measured 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 57.5 cubic feet with it folded, and 104.6 cubic feet with both rear rows down. The Expedition Max variant offered even more cargo capacity, making it ideal for families with extensive storage needs.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen in lower trims, with a 12.3-inch option available in the Limited trim. While the infotainment system was user-friendly, the navigation struggled with points of interest. Standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay provided seamless smartphone integration. The JBL audio system offered decent sound quality, though the larger screen's limited app display raised questions about its value.

The 2022 Ford Expedition featured Ford's next-generation Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems. The standard Sync 4 included a 12-inch touchscreen, while Sync 4A offered a larger 15.5-inch display. Both systems supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with advanced voice recognition and navigation. The Bang & Olufsen audio system provided good sound quality, though some quirks with Apple CarPlay and voice recognition were noted. The Expedition also offered an upgraded rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV, enhancing passenger entertainment options.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, featuring automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and intersection support. Additional safety features included road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Highlander received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2022 Ford Expedition offered a comprehensive suite of safety features through Ford Co-Pilot360 packages. Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and intersection assist. The Expedition also introduced Road Edge Detection and offered BlueCruise hands-free driving technology. While adaptive cruise control performed well, lane-centering assist had some issues, particularly in heavy traffic.