2020 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Toyota Venza

The 2020 Ford Explorer was a striking vehicle, boasting a design that was more refined and athletic compared to its predecessors. Its widened headlights, large grille, and distinctive "Explorer" lettering on the hood gave it a recognizable and bold presence. 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 appeal. Despite its high price tag, the materials used inside felt subpar, with low-grade vinyl and hard plastics dominating the cabin. The Explorer's interior struggled to justify its cost, especially when compared to more luxurious competitors.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Venza presented a more sophisticated and Lexus-like appearance, with a design that blurred the lines between the two brands. Its elongated profile and premium appointments in the cabin set it apart. The Venza offered a unique interior design, with a centre stack featuring piano black capacitive buttons and silver accents. The cabin was well-appointed, with a deep centre console and comfortable seating for both front and rear passengers. While it lacked the ruggedness of the RAV4, the Venza's interior was more refined and elegant, providing a comfortable and spacious environment for its occupants.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a range of powerful engine options, 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 handling and cornering capabilities. The ST trim's suspension and steering, tuned by Ford Performance, offered a nimble and precise driving experience. 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 provide significant benefits over the standard models.

The 2021 Toyota Venza, on the other hand, came standard with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a lithium-ion battery pack and electric motors, delivering a combined 219 horsepower. While not as powerful as some competitors, the Venza's hybrid system provided smooth acceleration and sufficient power for everyday driving. The Venza excelled in fuel efficiency, achieving an estimated 5.9 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 6.1 combined, outperforming many of its rivals. Its handling was confident and typical of a Toyota, offering a comfortable and predictable driving experience.

The 2020 Ford Explorer provided ample interior space, with generous headroom and legroom for passengers. The second row felt like first class, thanks to air vents, USB ports, and a panoramic moonroof. The third row could accommodate six-foot-tall adults for short journeys, although the bench was too flat for long-distance comfort. The Explorer's cargo space was impressive, with 509 litres behind the third row, 1,359 litres behind the second row, and 2,491 litres with all seats folded. The Explorer's interior was user-friendly, with physical knobs and switches for climate and stereo controls, although the thick D-pillars and fuzzy cameras created blind spots.

The 2021 Toyota Venza offered a unique and upscale interior, with premium appointments and a deep centre console. The cabin was spacious, with comfortable seating for both front and rear passengers. The Venza's cargo space was 816 litres, which was less than some competitors but sufficient for daily use. The interior design was elegant, with a focus on comfort and refinement. The Venza's cabin provided a desirable feeling of spaciousness, making it a practical choice for everyday driving.

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. 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 innovation, and system updates required an external Wi-Fi connection. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ offered semi-automated driving features, but its performance was not as refined as competitors' systems.

The 2021 Toyota Venza featured an 8-inch infotainment system on the LE trim, with a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen on the XLE and Limited trims. The Entune system was functional but not the best in the industry. The Venza included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system on higher trims. Toyota's connected services, such as Safety Connect and Remote Connect, were standard, providing additional convenience and safety features.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came equipped with 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 was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2021 Toyota Venza featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included a pre-collision warning system with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard, 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 safety rating from the NHTSA.