2021 Ford Expedition vs 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2021 Ford Expedition Platinum was a welcome sight for a group of six weary travelers arriving at Los Angeles International Airport. After a week in a rented Dodge Grand Caravan, the plush and spacious Expedition promised comfort and luxury. However, the SUV's inability to accommodate all the luggage was a notable drawback. Despite its luxurious Platinum trim, which included features like Magnetic gray paint, four-wheel drive, and a Heavy Duty Trailer Tow Package, the Expedition's cargo space fell short. The vehicle's design, with its chrome grille and 22-inch wheels, exuded a bold presence, but the lack of space meant one passenger had to carry a suitcase on their lap during the ride home. The extended-length MAX version could have resolved this issue, offering more room for passengers and luggage.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid maintained a more understated appearance, closely resembling its gas-only counterparts. The Hybrid version featured subtle distinctions like "Hybrid" badges and blue Honda logos, along with LED fog lights and a unique rear bumper design. Inside, the CR-V Hybrid offered a comfortable and well-appointed cabin with unique instrumentation to display battery status and power distribution. The Touring trim, with its Platinum White Pearl paint and ivory leather interior, provided a touch of elegance. Despite the presence of fake wood trim, the CR-V Hybrid's interior was functional and comfortable, with ample space for passengers and cargo.

The 2021 Ford Expedition was equipped with a robust twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque in most trims, while the Platinum trim received a boost to 400 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided impressive acceleration even when fully loaded. The Expedition's towing capacity ranged from 9,000 to 9,300 pounds, and it featured Pro Trailer Backup Assist technology for easier trailer maneuvering. However, the ride quality suffered due to the Platinum's 22-inch wheels, which transmitted road shock into the cabin despite the adaptive damping suspension. The Expedition's fuel economy averaged 17.1 mpg, slightly below the EPA's combined rating of 19 mpg for the 4WD model.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid, on the other hand, utilized Honda's two-motor hybrid technology, combining a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with an electric assist motor. This setup produced a total system output of 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. The CR-V Hybrid offered three driving modes—EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive—automatically selecting the most suitable one. It also featured driver-selected modes like Econ, Sport, and EV. The CR-V Hybrid's driving dynamics were commendable, with quick acceleration and predictable handling. However, its real-world fuel economy of 33.7 mpg fell short of the EPA's 38 mpg rating, and it couldn't match the efficiency of competitors like the RAV4 Hybrid.

The 2021 Ford Expedition excelled in comfort and utility, with large, wide seats for all passengers, including adults in the third row. The independent rear suspension ensured a comfortable ride, and the power-deploying running boards made entry and exit easy. However, the regular-length Expedition struggled with cargo space, offering only 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row. Folding the third row expanded the cargo volume to 57.5 cubic feet, and the maximum capacity behind the front seats was 104.6 cubic feet. The Expedition MAX provided more space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum of 121.5 cubic feet, though still less than most minivans.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with supportive front seats and ample rear seat room. The driver's seat featured 12-way power adjustment, while the rear seats provided generous legroom and comfort. Interior storage was impressive, though the Touring trim's wireless smartphone charger occupied significant space on the center console. The CR-V Hybrid's cargo space was slightly reduced due to the battery pack, offering 33.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and a maximum of 68.7 cubic feet with the seats folded. Despite this, it remained practical for everyday use.

The 2021 Ford Expedition featured the aging Sync 3 infotainment system, which, despite its user-friendly interface, had a small 8-inch touchscreen display and occasional slow response times. It offered modern features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a navigation system. The test vehicle included a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging. However, it lacked the available dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system, which could stream content from mobile devices.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid's infotainment system, though not outdated in appearance, performed sluggishly. The 7-inch touchscreen lacked a tuning knob, and the voice-recognition technology struggled with naturally spoken commands. The system supported wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the navigation map display was cluttered. The Touring trim included a nine-speaker premium audio system, wireless smartphone charging, and integrated Pandora internet radio. However, the infotainment system's overall performance left room for improvement.

The 2021 Ford Expedition boasted a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA, though its rollover-resistance rating was lower with RWD. It came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, offering features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control and a semi-autonomous parking assistance system. The Expedition's lane-keeping technology was helpful on narrow freeways, but it lacked more advanced driving systems.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid came equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving-assistance systems. It included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The CR-V Hybrid earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. However, it lacked features like automatic collision notification and SOS emergency calling.