2020 Toyota Highlander vs 2020 Ford Edge

The 2020 Toyota Highlander presented a design that was subtle yet refined. Its exterior featured a trapezoidal theme, with slanted tailgate glass and pronounced body panel creases. The vehicle's LED headlights and optional 20-inch alloy wheels added a touch of modernity, especially in the higher trims like Limited and Platinum. Inside, the Highlander boasted a cabin where quality fit and finish were paramount. The interior was adorned with silver-painted accents and a multi-layered dash, complemented by an 8-inch touchscreen. The Limited trim offered a three-tone interior with rich textures, making it one of the most inviting cabins in its class.

In contrast, the 2020 Ford Edge maintained a design that was both familiar and functional. Its styling update in 2019 carried over to 2020, giving it a resemblance to the Ford Fusion sedan with angular headlights and a large grille. The interior layout, largely unchanged since 2015, featured a centre console with small, awkwardly arranged controls. Despite this, the cabin quality was commendable, with soft-touch materials and solid fit-and-finish. The Edge offered trims like SE, SEL, Titanium, and ST, each with varying levels of luxury and performance features, including the sporty ST variant with a more powerful engine and sportier styling.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. Available in both FWD and AWD, the Highlander provided smooth and quiet acceleration, akin to the Lexus RX. Its eight-speed automatic transmission made full use of the engine's power, though it required a heavy foot for kickdown. The Highlander's steering was loose, and its suspension was soft, leading to a floaty ride. However, it offered a calming driving experience, especially on long road trips. Fuel efficiency was impressive, with the FWD model rated at 11.9 L/100 km city and 8.3 L/100 km highway.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. It provided solid low-end acceleration, though it struggled at higher speeds. The Edge's suspension was designed to handle rough roads, offering a refined and engaging drive. The performance-oriented ST trim featured a 2.7-litre twin-turbo EcoBoost V6, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. The ST's steering was heavy, and its cornering capabilities were impressive, making it a fun-to-drive option. The Sport mode further enhanced the driving experience by adjusting throttle response and transmission mapping.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander offered seating for eight, or seven with the second-row captain's chairs on Platinum trims. The second row was versatile, with generous legroom and easy access to the third row. The Highlander's cargo space was ample, with 453 litres behind the third row, 1,359 litres behind the second, and 2,378 litres with both rows folded. The interior featured eight cupholders, four bottle holders, and two shelves integrated into the dash for added convenience. The controls were simple and legible, though the wireless charging pad could obstruct access to the centre armrest cubby.

The 2020 Ford Edge excelled in cabin layout, offering a commanding view of the road and plenty of storage compartments. The second-row head- and legroom were generous, ensuring comfort without needing to adjust the front seats. While it lacked a third row, the Edge provided 1,110 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 2,078 litres with the rear seats folded. This was more than a Jeep Grand Cherokee but slightly less than a Honda Passport. The SEL and Titanium trims featured a hands-free foot-activated power rear liftgate for added convenience.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander's infotainment system felt outdated, with low-resolution screens and a lack of onboard apps. The 12.3-inch touchscreen on the Platinum trim was underutilized, as it couldn't display maps or vehicle options in full. However, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the Platinum trim featured a 10-inch head-up display and a 7-inch instrument cluster display. The semi-automated driving system was effective, and the JBL audio system on higher trims offered decent sound quality. Safety Connect and factory navigation with traffic data were also included.

The 2020 Ford Edge came with the SYNC 3 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen that was user-friendly and intuitive. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, allowing drivers to use their preferred navigation apps. The Edge also included two smart-charging USB ports and a rearview camera. The SEL and ST trims offered a semi-digital instrument panel with dual screens, standard on the Titanium trim. This technology package made the Edge a well-equipped vehicle for its class.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and rear emergency braking. The Highlander received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was awarded a 2020 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.

The 2020 Ford Edge featured a comprehensive safety package, including front and side-impact airbags, AdvanceTrac traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Ford Co-Pilot360 safety system was standard, offering automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, 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.