2021 Toyota Sequoia vs 2020 Ford Edge

The 2020 Ford Edge, introduced in 2006, was based on the Ford Fusion sedan platform, offering a car-like ride and spacious cabin. By 2015, the second generation arrived, with a styling update in 2019 that carried over to 2020. Despite its fresh look, the Edge's design lagged behind competitors like Honda and Toyota, who frequently updated their models. The Edge's exterior featured angular headlights and a large trapezoidal grille, reminiscent of the Fusion. Inside, the layout remained largely unchanged since 2015, with minor updates in 2019. The cabin quality was decent, with soft-touch materials and solid fit-and-finish, but the heavy use of hard plastics detracted from its appeal. The Edge was available in SE, SEL, Titanium, and ST trims, each offering a range of features from the SYNC 3 infotainment system to advanced driver assistance under the Ford Co-Pilot360 banner.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia, introduced in 2007, received a facelift in 2018, updating its headlights and grille. For 2021, it added a Nightshade Special Edition. Despite these efforts, the Sequoia's age was evident, especially inside, with a mid-2000s multi-tiered center dash design and a small 7-inch touchscreen. The front seats were bulky, limiting headroom for taller drivers, while the second-row seats offered ample space. The Sequoia was available in SR5, TRD Sport, Limited, Nightshade Edition, TRD Pro, and Platinum trims, each offering various features from 18-inch alloy wheels to a 12-speaker premium audio system. The TRD Pro was designed for off-road use, while the Platinum trim added luxury features like heated-and-ventilated front seats and a larger 9-inch touchscreen.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. It offered front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The engine provided solid low-end acceleration, suitable for city driving, but struggled at higher speeds. The Edge's suspension was designed for American roads, absorbing potholes while maintaining a refined and engaging drive. The sporty Edge ST variant featured a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque with standard AWD. The ST offered a more engaging driving experience, with heavy steering and excellent cornering. A Sport mode enhanced throttle response and transmission mapping, while an ST Performance Brake Package was available for added performance.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia featured a standard 5.7-liter V8 engine, producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, offering rear-wheel drive or optional four-wheel drive with low range. The engine provided strong acceleration, even for an SUV weighing up to 6,000 pounds. The Sequoia's driving dynamics resembled a truck, with a lurching V8, soft suspension, and overpowered brakes. It exhibited some body-roll in corners but settled well due to its wide stance. The Sequoia's brakes were strong but touchy. It could tow up to 7,400 pounds, trailing behind competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe.

The 2020 Ford Edge excelled in cabin layout, offering a commanding view of the road and ample storage compartments. The second-row seats provided generous head- and legroom, ensuring comfort without adjusting the front seats. While it lacked a third row, the two rows were spacious and comfortable. The Edge offered 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This was more than the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Nissan Murano but slightly less than the Honda Passport. The SEL and Titanium trims featured a hands-free foot-activated power rear liftgate.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasted a spacious cabin, with nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and over 66 cubic feet with the third row folded. With all rear seats folded, it offered 120 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition. The Sequoia's power-retractable rear window was a unique feature, allowing easy access to the cargo area. While the front-row space could have been better utilized, the Sequoia offered deep in-door pockets, a massive center console, and multiple cupholders. Despite its age, the Sequoia provided ample storage options, though newer SUVs maximized space more effectively.

The 2020 Ford Edge featured the SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, offering easy navigation through menus with a row of icons and a home button. It included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, allowing users to use their preferred maps app. A voice-activated navigation system was optional on the SEL and ST trims and standard on the Titanium. The Edge came with two smart-charging USB ports and an optional dual rear-seat entertainment system. A semi-digital instrument panel was available on the SEL and ST trims and standard on the Titanium.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. Our test model had a larger 9-inch screen, which still felt small on the large dash. The older infotainment system was easy to use, with simple menu navigation and large hard buttons. The digital trip computer was small but functional. While the Sequoia's technology was dated, its simplicity was refreshing.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with front and side-impact airbags, AdvanceTrac traction control, Roll Stability Control, Curve Control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and a child seat anchoring system. The Ford Co-Pilot360 safety system was standard on all trims, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring. The SEL trim offered the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package, adding adaptive cruise control and active lane centering. The Edge received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. While it lacked advanced tech like lane-keeping assist, it offered a comprehensive list of safety features. The Sequoia scored four out of five stars in the NHTSA's rollover test but was not rated in other crash tests.