2020 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

The 2020 Ford Explorer was a striking vehicle, boasting a refined, upscale design that made it more appealing than its competitors like the Land Rover Discovery. Its athletic appearance was enhanced by widened headlights, a large grille, and distinctive "Explorer" lettering on the hood. The ST version, with its black 21-inch rims and quad exhaust pipes, was particularly eye-catching. However, the interior did not match the exterior's allure. Despite its high price tag, the interior materials felt subpar, with low-grade vinyl and hard plastics dominating the cabin. The Explorer's interior failed to deliver the luxury expected at its price point, especially when compared to more affordable competitors like the Kia Telluride.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 featured a rugged exterior that set it apart from other compact crossovers. Its boxy fender flares and chiseled taillights gave it a bold presence, appealing to those seeking a more traditional SUV look. While the exterior was aggressive, the RAV4's underpinnings were more conventional, sharing the TNGA platform with other Toyota models. The RAV4 offered options like the Trail model with a retro Ice Edge roof and the TRD Off-Road package with all-terrain enhancements. Inside, the RAV4's cabin had functional touches like large rubberized knobs, but material quality did not improve with higher trims. The SofTex upholstery was durable but lacked the premium feel of real leather.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a range of powerful engines, with the ST trim featuring a 3.0-litre EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, delivered smooth and addictive power. The Explorer's rear-wheel-drive chassis provided excellent weight distribution, enhancing its nimble handling and cornering capabilities. The Explorer also offered a 2.3-litre turbo inline four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and a hybrid option with a net 318 horsepower. However, the hybrid's fuel efficiency did not justify its higher cost. The Explorer's towing capacity ranged from 2,268 to 2,540 kilograms, depending on the engine.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 came with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the engine achieved impressive thermal efficiency, the transmission struggled to keep up, leading to a less dynamic driving experience. The RAV4 offered a "Sport" mode, but it only added weight to the steering without enhancing performance. The RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime provided more power and refinement, with the Prime offering 302 horsepower. The RAV4 excelled on the highway with low cabin noise and a comfortable suspension. Off-road capabilities were enhanced in the Trail and TRD Off-Road models, which featured torque-vectoring all-wheel drive and increased ground clearance.

The 2020 Ford Explorer provided ample interior space, with generous headroom and legroom for passengers. The second row felt luxurious with features like air vents, USB ports, and a panoramic moonroof. The third row accommodated six-foot-tall adults for short trips, though the bench was too flat for long journeys. Cargo space was slightly reduced behind the third row, but overall capacity increased to 2,491 litres with all seats folded. The Explorer's controls were intuitive, with physical knobs and switches for climate and audio settings. However, thick D-pillars and fuzzy cameras created blind spots.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 offered competitive headroom and good outward visibility, but legroom was slightly lacking compared to rivals. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats had hard cushions, making long trips less appealing. Cargo space was above average at 1,059 litres with the rear seats up and 1,977 litres with them folded. The RAV4's controls were user-friendly, with oversized knobs and steering-wheel controls that were easy to use even with gloves. However, storage space on the console was limited, and the cargo area lip was higher than some competitors.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen featuring Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot. Keyless entry, remote start, and SiriusXM satellite radio were also standard. The Premium Technology Package added a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. While the interface was well-organized, it lacked customization options and felt unfinished. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ system offered semi-automated driving features but was not as refined as competitors' systems.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Most trims had a 7-inch touchscreen, with higher trims offering an 8-inch screen. The RAV4 Prime featured a 9-inch screen. The infotainment system was straightforward, with easy-to-read graphics and shortcut buttons for essential functions. However, it lacked the flashiness of some competitors and did not offer a head-up display on gasoline models. The RAV4's tech was simple and user-friendly, appealing to those who preferred a straightforward interface.

The 2020 Ford Explorer featured Ford Co-Pilot 360, which included forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. Adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking were also standard. The Explorer received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention. However, it missed the Top Safety Pick+ rating due to mixed headlight scores. The NHTSA awarded the RAV4 a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which offered forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and more. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard, with a 360-degree camera system available in certain packages.