2019 Toyota RAV4 vs 2020 Ford Edge

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 presented a bold and aggressive exterior design, drawing inspiration from the Toyota Tacoma pickup. Its chunky build and sharp edges gave it a futuristic and robust appearance, with taillights reminiscent of Toyota's luxury brand, Lexus. The design included a character line on the rear C-pillar, which was a common trait among new vehicles, though not always visually appealing. The RAV4 offered both monotone and two-tone colour options, with the latter featuring a contrasting roof that complemented the design better. Inside, the RAV4's cabin was simple and elegant, with a floating touchscreen and a well-organized control pod.

In contrast, the 2020 Ford Edge maintained a design that was a crossover version of the Ford Fusion sedan, featuring angular headlights and a large trapezoidal grille. The interior layout had remained largely unchanged since 2015, with some updates in 2019. The centre console had small, awkwardly arranged climate and radio controls, but the rotary shifter was a contemporary design cue that solved space issues. The cabin quality was decent, with soft-touch materials and solid fit-and-finish, though marred by the use of hard plastics. The Edge's styling update was timely, but it lagged behind competitors who refreshed their models more frequently.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with power directed to either the front wheels or available all-wheel drive (AWD). The RAV4 offered two AWD options: a base version and a more advanced torque-vectoring AWD, standard on the Trail and Limited trims. The torque-vectoring AWD could distribute power to the wheels in real-time, enhancing off-road capability. The RAV4's engine performed well on highways but struggled with low-end power in stop-and-go traffic. The ride quality was generally good, though the steering felt twitchy, and there was noticeable body roll.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. It also featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with power routed to the front wheels or available AWD. The Edge's engine provided solid low-end acceleration, though it was less powerful at higher speeds. The Edge ST variant offered a 2.7-litre twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 engine, producing 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, with standard AWD. The ST had a sporty driving experience, with heavy steering and excellent cornering. The Edge's suspension was designed to handle rough roads, providing a smooth yet engaging ride.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4's cabin was designed for practicality and style, with a clean and upscale look. It offered ample cargo space, with 1,064 litres behind the rear seats and 1,976 litres with the seats folded. The centre stack pod housed climate controls, a large tray, drive-mode controls, and a shifter. The RAV4 provided plenty of storage options, including a deep centre console bin and a tray in the passenger dash. The rear seats were spacious, and the test model featured a fold-out rear armrest with cupholders.

The 2020 Ford Edge excelled in cabin layout, offering a commanding view of the road and spacious seating. The second row provided ample head- and legroom, ensuring comfort without adjusting the front seats. The Edge offered 1,110 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 2,078 litres with the seats folded. The SEL and Titanium trims featured a hands-free foot-activated power rear liftgate. The Edge's interior was designed for convenience, with numerous cubbies and compartments for storage.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 LE came with a 7-inch touchscreen running Toyota's Entune 3.0 infotainment system, which included Apple CarPlay but not Android Auto. The XLE trim added multiple USB ports, while the Trail and Limited trims offered larger screens and an optional JBL premium audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a floating screen and hard dials for major functions.

The 2020 Ford Edge featured the SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, standard across all trims. SYNC 3 included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing users to use their preferred navigation apps. The system was easy to navigate, with a row of icons and a home button for quick access. The Edge also came with smart-charging USB ports and a rearview camera, with a semi-digital instrument panel available on higher trims.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 included standard safety features such as front- and side-impact airbags, a backup camera, traction control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 was also standard, offering forward-collision warning, emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were included as well.

The 2020 Ford Edge came with a full array of airbags, AdvanceTrac traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Ford Co-Pilot360 safety system was standard, featuring automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring. The SEL trim offered the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package, adding adaptive cruise control and active lane centring. The Edge received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.