The Highlander Limited's optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Edge doesn't offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Highlander has standard Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Edge doesn't offer a whiplash protection system.

The Highlander Limited offers optional Pre-Collision System, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn't react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Edge offers an available collision warning system without the automated brake feature which would prevent or reduce the collision if the driver fails to react.

Both the Highlander and the Edge have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Toyota Highlander is safer than the Edge:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Highlander is safer than the Ford Edge:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Highlander its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2016, a rating granted to only 73 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Edge is not even a standard “Top Pick” for 2016.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Highlander for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Ford doesn't pay scheduled maintenance for the Edge.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without their vehicle while it's being repaired. Consumer Reports predicts that the Highlander's reliability will be 57% better than the Ford Edge V6 and 104% better than the Ford Edge 2.0 ECOBoost.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2015 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 9th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 12th.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2015 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota third in reliability, above the industry average. With 77 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 24th.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Highlander uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Edge with the 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Highlander has almost a gallon more fuel capacity than the Edge FWD's standard fuel tank (19.2 vs. 18.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Highlander stops shorter than the Edge:

For better maneuverability, the Highlander's turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the Edge's (38.7 feet vs. 40.4 feet). The Highlander's turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the Edge Sport with 22” wheels' (38.7 feet vs. 42 feet).

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Highlander has liquid-filled engine mounts. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The Edge uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The Highlander has standard seating for 8 passengers; the Edge can only carry 5.

The Highlander has 31 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Edge (144.9 vs. 113.9).

The Highlander has .5 inches more front headroom, 1.6 inches more front legroom and 1.3 inches more front hip room than the Edge.

The Highlander's cargo area provides more volume than the Edge.

The Highlander's optional rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Edge's rear cargo window doesn't open.

Maximum trailer towing in the Ford Edge is limited to 3500 pounds. The Highlander offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Highlander's standard front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Edge's passenger windows don't open or close automatically. The Highlander Limited/Platinum's front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches.

The Highlander has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and fuel theft. The Edge doesn't offer a locking fuel door.

The Highlander's standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford only offers heated mirrors on the Edge SEL/Titanium/Sport.

The Highlander will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. Kiplinger's estimates that the Highlander will retain a greater percentage of its original price after three and five years than the Edge.

Intellichoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota Highlander will be $3109 to $4715 less than for the Ford Edge.

The Toyota Highlander has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Highlander second among midsize SUVs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner's expectations. The Edge isn't in the top three.