2021 Toyota Venza vs 2020 Ford Edge

The 2020 Ford Edge, introduced initially in 2006, was based on the Ford Fusion sedan platform, offering a car-like ride and ample cabin space. By 2015, the second generation of the Edge had arrived, with a styling update in 2019 that carried over to 2020. Despite its fresh look, the Edge's design was slightly behind its competitors, who typically undergo redesigns every six years. The Edge's exterior featured angular headlights and a large trapezoidal grille, reminiscent of the Fusion. Inside, the cabin showed signs of aging, with a layout unchanged since 2015, despite minor updates in 2019. The use of soft-touch materials was commendable, but the heavy reliance on hard plastics detracted from the overall quality.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Venza was noted for its Lexus-like appearance, with a design that blurred the lines between the two brands. The Venza was shorter and lower than the RAV4 but shared the same wheelbase. It was available in three trims: LE, XLE, and Limited, with a choice of seven paint colours. The Venza's standard features included LED lighting, a wireless charging pad, and dual-zone climate control. The XLE and Limited trims offered additional luxury features like a larger infotainment screen and a digital rearview mirror. The Venza's interior was unique, with premium appointments and a focus on comfort, making it a more refined option compared to the rugged RAV4.

The 2020 Ford Edge came with a standard 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided solid low-end acceleration, suitable for city driving, though it struggled at higher speeds. The Edge's suspension was designed to handle rough roads, offering a smooth yet engaging driving experience. The performance-oriented Edge ST featured a 2.7-litre twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 engine, producing 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. The ST variant offered a more dynamic driving experience, with heavy steering and excellent cornering capabilities, enhanced by a Sport mode and an available ST Performance Brake Package.

The 2021 Toyota Venza, on the other hand, was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a lithium-ion battery pack, producing a combined 219 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid system, coupled with an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (e-CVT), provided smooth acceleration, though it was not particularly rapid. The Venza's handling was confident and typical of a Toyota, with a focus on comfort and stability. The Venza excelled in fuel efficiency, achieving an estimated 5.9 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 6.4 on the highway, outperforming competitors like the Murano and Passport. Toyota's hybrid powertrain was backed by a 10-year/240,000-kilometre warranty, ensuring long-term reliability.

The 2020 Ford Edge boasted a spacious cabin with a commanding view of the road. The interior featured numerous storage compartments, making it ideal for commuting or road trips. The second-row seats offered ample head- and legroom, ensuring comfort without needing to adjust the front seats. The Edge provided 1,110 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 2,078 litres with the rear seats folded. This cargo capacity was competitive, surpassing the Jeep Grand Cherokee but slightly less than the Nissan Murano and Honda Passport. The SEL and Titanium trims included a hands-free foot-activated power rear liftgate for added convenience.

The 2021 Toyota Venza, known for its practicality, offered a unique interior design with premium appointments. The centre stack featured capacitive buttons for climate and infotainment controls, complemented by a deep centre console with various features like a wireless charging pad and heated seat buttons. The Venza's seating was comfortable for both front and rear passengers, with more headroom than the RAV4. Despite having only 816 litres of cargo space, the Venza's quick-flip rear seatbacks made it easy to arrange the space. While it had less cargo capacity than some competitors, the Venza's interior comfort and design made it a suitable choice for daily driving.

The 2020 Ford Edge was equipped with the SYNC 3 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with intuitive navigation. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, allowing users to integrate their mobile devices seamlessly. The Edge also came with two smart-charging USB ports and a rearview camera. Higher trims offered a semi-digital instrument panel with dual screens, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Toyota Venza featured the Entune infotainment system, with an 8-inch screen on the LE trim and a 12.3-inch touchscreen on the XLE and Limited trims. While the system was responsive, it required multiple menu trips for certain functions. The Venza included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, along with a six-speaker audio system. The XLE and Limited trims boasted a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system. Toyota's connected services, such as Safety Connect and Remote Connect, were also standard, providing additional convenience and safety features.

The 2020 Ford Edge came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Ford Co-Pilot360 safety system was standard across all trims, offering advanced driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Edge received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, ensuring peace of mind for drivers.

The 2021 Toyota Venza was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite, which included features like a pre-collision warning system, lane departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Venza also offered blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, with an upgrade to automatic braking available on higher trims. The Venza received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, highlighting its commitment to safety.