2022 Ford Expedition vs 2022 Toyota 4Runner

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner held onto its roots stemming from the SUV craze of the 1980s. It maintained a rugged construction, closely related to the Toyota Tacoma pickup, emphasizing its off-road capabilities. Toyota wasn’t stubborn in keeping the 4Runner this way; rather, it allowed the Highlander to serve as the family-friendly option, leaving the 4Runner as a niche adventure vehicle. The 4Runner's adventurous character was evident through its high ride height, boxy proportions, and sharply angled front bumper. Inside, the functionality reigned supreme despite reminders of its outdated design, such as the late-2000s dash layout.

The 4Runner offered various trims like SR5, Trail Special Edition, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro, and Limited. Even the base SR5 came well-equipped with features like an 8-inch touchscreen, multiple USB ports, satellite radio, and a WiFi hotspot. Higher trims introduced more specialized features: the Trail Special Edition had 17-inch alloy wheels and a Yakima cargo basket, while the TRD Sport and Limited trims focused more on road-oriented enhancements. The TRD Pro excelled off-road, thanks to features like enhanced shock absorbers and a 15-speaker JBL stereo system.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Expedition showcased significant updates in both exterior styling and infotainment technology. Its fresh face was defined by a new grille, headlights, and bumper at the front, and revised taillights and tailgate trim at the rear. The Expedition's 2022 lineup included XL STX, XLT, Limited, King Ranch, and Platinum trims, along with the extended-length Expedition Max.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner featured a single engine option across all trims: a 4.0-liter V6 producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. Mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, this engine provided reliable performance, though it felt underwhelming in most driving scenarios. Whether driving in the rear-wheel or 4WD configuration, the 4Runner's ride quality was notably harsh, exhibiting significant body roll and jostling over bumps.

However, the 4Runner's rough ride quality transformed on trails, where its suspension absorbed rocks, bumps, and root beds effortlessly. Models like the TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road excelled with features like Crawl Control, a locking differential, and the optional Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System. The 4Runner could tow up to 5,000 pounds, which, while modest compared to compact pickups, surpassed most car-based crossovers.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Expedition featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine. Our test vehicle produced 380 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, with potential for higher outputs in other configurations. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided exhilarating performance and an addictively pleasing engine sound. Ford's tuning ensured that power delivery was smooth, but fuel consumption was high, with observed fuel economy reaching only 16.2 mpg on our evaluation loop.

The Expedition towed between 9,000 and 9,300 pounds, considerably more than the 4Runner. The ride quality varied, with the Stealth Edition's sport-tuned suspension and 22-inch wheels contributing to harshness over imperfect pavements. An adaptive damping suspension available on higher trims like King Ranch and Platinum helped mitigate some of these issues. Despite its size, the Expedition was relatively easy to park thanks to excellent visibility, parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner provided up to 89.7 cubic feet of cargo space in the two-row model, with 47.2 cubic feet behind the second row. The three-row variant reduced maximum cargo space slightly to 88.8 cubic feet, with a mere 9 cubic feet behind the third row. The lack of a power rear liftgate was compensated by a power-open/close rear window, making quick stowage of bags convenient. The 4Runner, however, showed its age in interior packaging efficiency, offering ample but not generously optimized space for gear.

The 2022 Ford Expedition excelled in providing interior comfort unrivaled by many competitors. Easy ingress and egress were aided by available power running boards. Once inside, the Expedition offered substantial room and comfort for all passengers. Our test vehicle featured heated and ventilated front seats with luxurious leather upholstery and ample storage options. Second-row captain’s chairs offered plenty of legroom and independent climate control.

The third-row access was straightforward, with the seats offering decent leg support but marginal headroom for taller passengers. With the third-row seats up, cargo space measured at 19.3 cubic feet, significantly larger in the Expedition Max variant at 34.3 cubic feet. Folding down both rear rows increased cargo capacity to an impressive 104.6 cubic feet (121.5 in the Max), clearly showcasing the Expedition's advantage in cargo space and versatility compared to the 4Runner.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and multiple USB ports. While the system was functional and easy to use with physical buttons and dials, it lacked advanced features like a head-up display or a larger screen option. This simplicity, however, could be appealing to buyers favoring tactile controls, especially for off-road driving conditions.

For 2022, the Ford Expedition integrated the next-generation Sync 4 and Sync 4A systems. The standard Sync 4 featured a 12-inch touchscreen, but Sync 4A came with a larger 15.5-inch display. Both systems included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect, and voice recognition. Upgraded features included two Bang & Olufsen premium sound systems, with the 22-speaker B&O Unleashed system available on higher trims.

The Sync 4A system, while sophisticated, had minor quirks, such as occasional difficulties with Apple CarPlay and accidental activations of the defroster function. The rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV and Pro Trailer Backup Assist 2.0 provided enhanced usability and convenience, particularly for families and those frequently towing trailers.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner included the Toyota Safety Sense suite as standard, offering features such as forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warning. Additional safety features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system were available options. However, the 4Runner’s safety ratings were less than stellar, earning four out of five stars in frontal and side impacts and three stars in rollover testing by the NHTSA.

The 2022 Ford Expedition grouped its safety features under the Ford Co-Pilot360 umbrella, which varied by trim levels. Standard equipment included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, intersection assist, and evasive steering assist. The King Ranch and Platinum trims also offered a rear automatic emergency braking system and semi-autonomous Active Park Assist 2.0.

Ford’s BlueCruise technology further enhanced safety by providing hands-free driving on approved highways. During our test, the adaptive cruise control functioned smoothly, but lane-centering assist had some inconsistencies, particularly in heavy traffic or on winding roads.