2019 Ford Edge vs 2020 Toyota Sienna

The Edge was a key vehicle in the evolution of the family SUV market when Ford first introduced it for the 2007 model year. Back then, automakers were experimenting with just what a “crossover” could constitute—look at the Pontiac Aztec and first-generation Chrysler Pacifica if you disagree. But with the Edge, the midsize, two-row SUV template started to take shape.

Ford offers the 2019 Edge with an ST trim, grafting performance onto the utilitarian Edge blueprint. But that begs a question—can a vehicle still be good at family hauling and commuting while also delivering speed and performance?

Since the second half of the 20th century, each decade has had a hot-topic family car, and, as we’ve noted in a number of reviews this year, the crossover is our current darling vehicle. Before the crossover, there were big, truck-based SUVs. Before that, there were station wagons.

And for the past 35 years, there's always been the minivan.

The Dodge Caravan has been widely considered the Patient Zero of the minivan segment. From there, seemingly everyone joined the party, including Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Chevy, GMC, Volkswagen, Oldsmobile, and more. Heck, even Mercury had a “Nautica Edition” version of the Villager.

The minivan was king once, the crossover is king now, and some other type of vehicle will likely dominate in the near future. But in all this, the 7- and 8-passenger minivans will always represent the ultimate in versatility. The crossover is an image-forward fad with a dash of usability, but the minivan continues to prove itself as the pinnacle of practicality.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna is neither the newest nor flashiest minivan out there, but when you absolutely need space for people and gear, there’s nothing better. Additionally, as of 2020 the Sienna is the only minivan to offer all-wheel drive (AWD), which is something specifically desired by many car buyers.