2020 Ford Expedition vs 2020 Toyota 4Runner

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner was characterized by its tall slab sides, high beltline, and short overhangs, contributing to its timeless design. Its utilitarian attitude was reminiscent of an XJ Jeep Cherokee, with flared wheel wells accommodating off-road tires and short overhangs allowing it to tackle steep pitches. The hood scoop, a visual cue for the TRD trim, was one of the few non-functional elements. The front end featured small, angular headlights, and the grille varied across trims, with the TRD Pro boasting blacked-out accents and the Limited featuring chrome. The 4Runner's lineup in Canada was based on the SR5 trim with five packages, including the Limited package, which aimed at comfort with leather upholstery and an 8-inch touchscreen. Despite these features, the 4Runner Limited retained a utilitarian feel, with plastic elements and a seating position designed for off-road adventures.

In contrast, the 2020 Ford Expedition, last redesigned in 2018, was a cleanly styled full-size SUV, with some considering its design boring. However, its clean lines were expected to age well. The King Ranch model featured 22-inch aluminum wheels, a mesh grille insert, LED headlights, and exclusive gray-painted lower exterior trim. The Star White metallic paint on the test model looked impressive, though the taillight shape and C-pillar design were points of contention. Inside, the King Ranch boasted Del Rio leather in Mesa over Ebony, with King Ranch logos throughout. Despite the luxurious cabin, hard plastic was present, especially in lower trims, which was disappointing given the SUV's price. The Expedition's independent rear suspension improved ride and handling, setting it apart from competitors like the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner was equipped with a 4-litre V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. This setup allowed for a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds). However, the engine was not smooth or efficient, with fuel consumption estimated at 14.8 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 12.5 on the highway, and 13.8 combined. The 4Runner excelled off-road, with its body-on-frame construction and advanced traction systems like crawl control and Multi-Terrain Select. On-road, it exhibited significant body roll and heavy steering, making it feel like a blast from the past.

The 2020 Ford Expedition featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission distributed power to all four wheels via the standard 4WD powertrain. The Expedition had a towing capacity of 4,173 kilograms (9,200 pounds) for the standard model and 4,082 kilograms (9,000 pounds) for the MAX version. It offered a smooth and powerful driving experience, with a tight turning radius and easily modulated brakes. The adaptive damping suspension on the King Ranch model improved ride quality, though the oversized wheels sometimes resulted in a busy ride. The independent rear suspension enhanced ride and handling, while fuel consumption was estimated at 14.1 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 10.6 on the highway, and 12.5 combined.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner offered excellent outward visibility, with a relatively tidy turning radius of 5.6 metres. Inside, the dashboard featured large, chunky knobs for HVAC and stereo controls, with easy-to-use physical buttons around the 8-inch touchscreen. The steering wheel housed numerous controls, though they were not illuminated. The 4Runner's tall front seat position provided a commanding view, but climbing in and out could be tiring without power-retractable running boards. The optional third row of seats was best for short and occasional use, with limited legroom and narrow, thin seats.

The 2020 Ford Expedition excelled in towing, cargo capacity, and passenger comfort. The King Ranch model featured power running boards for easy access, with comfortable heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The second-row captain's chairs were heated, and the third-row bench offered impressive legroom, thanks to the independent rear suspension. The standard-length Expedition provided 546 litres of cargo space behind the third row, while the MAX version offered 971 litres. With the third row folded, cargo space increased to 1,672 litres (2,075 with the MAX), and with the second row folded, it reached 2,962 litres (3,440 with the MAX).

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. While Toyota's proprietary system was not difficult to understand, the onboard navigation system was challenging to manage. The 4Runner also offered Bluetooth connectivity, a single USB port, and subscription services like Sirius XM satellite radio and Safety Connect. Despite these updates, the 4Runner lagged behind competitors in terms of features and usability, with the most advanced features hidden in the powertrain.

The 2020 Ford Expedition's Sync 3 infotainment system was easy to use, though it required patience for loading and responding to input. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, along with FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, a navigation system, and an available Bang & Olufsen sound system. The Expedition also offered a rear-seat entertainment system and Pro Trailer Backup Assist, which was especially helpful for frequent towing.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, and automatic high beams. It also featured eight standard airbags. The 4Runner received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a three-star rating in the rollover test. The IIHS gave it a Good rating in most crash tests, except for a Marginal rating in the small overlap front: driver-side test.

The 2020 Ford Expedition came with Ford Co-Pilot360 as standard, which included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability was optional. The Expedition received five-star ratings in every NHTSA test, with a four-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS had not tested the Expedition at the time of review.