2019 Ford Edge vs 2019 Honda CR-V

The 2019 Ford Edge benefited from a facelift that updated its grille, headlights, and lower front fascia. The rear of the vehicle also saw changes with new taillights and a larger black panel connecting them, resulting in a sportier and more modern appearance across all trims. Despite these exterior updates, the interior of the Edge remained largely unchanged from earlier versions, looking much like the 2014 model, which itself felt dated even then. The cabin utilized a lot of hard plastics, and while it tried to keep up with modern designs with elements like a new rotary shifter, the overall feel was somewhat antiquated.

The Ford Edge offered multiple trims: SE, SEL, Titanium, and the high-performance ST. Standard features on the base SE trim included 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, push-button start, and rain-sensing wipers. As you moved up to the SEL, it added items like black roof rails, dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable front seats, and rear parking sensors. The SEL trim also provided optional packages to enhance comfort and convenience, such as leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a hands-free power liftgate. At the top end, the Titanium and ST trims packed more luxurious and performance-oriented features, including a premium sound system and sportier exterior tweaks.

For the 2019 Honda CR-V, the exterior design was more restrained but still visually appealing, especially from the back, where it appeared upscale. The CR-V came in four trims: LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring. The base LX trim, despite being the entry-level option, did not look basic thanks to its standard 17-inch aluminum wheels. Higher trims added body-color elements, larger 18-inch wheels, and rear privacy glass, elevating the SUV's overall aesthetics.

Inside, the CR-V exuded a sense of quality despite the presence of some hard plastics. The cabin's layout, materials, and control arrangement felt well-thought-out and executed, helping it feel more upmarket compared to the Ford Edge’s interior. The CR-V’s 2-tone tan-over-black interior treatment contributed to a sophisticated atmosphere, making you feel like you were getting good value for your money.

Every non-ST trim of the 2019 Ford Edge was equipped with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged 4-cylinder engine delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine offered a good balance of performance and efficiency, sending power through an 8-speed automatic transmission to the front wheels or an optional all-wheel-drive system. All-wheel drive added $1,995 to the cost of each non-ST trim.

The high-performance ST trim featured the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine borrowed from the Ford F-150, tuned to produce 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, paired with the same 8-speed automatic transmission directed to all-wheel drive. This engine provided impressive acceleration and a lively driving experience, especially when engaging the Sport Mode. Despite its powerful engine and sporty setup, the Edge ST managed to maintain a relatively smooth ride, even on pothole-ridden roads.

Fuel economy for the most efficient version of the Edge—a 2.0-liter with front-wheel drive—was 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined. The Edge ST returned 19/26/21. In real-world driving, the ST managed an average of 19.9 mpg.

The 2019 Honda CR-V offered a base 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine on the LX trim, producing 184 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The other trims—EX, EX-L, and Touring—came with a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, offering a slightly higher output of 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. This smaller engine also delivered better responsiveness and fuel efficiency.

However, certain issues were noted with the turbocharged engine, such as misfires in very cold weather and problems with the engine oil mixing with fuel. Despite these concerns, the turbo 1.5-liter engine provided a satisfying driving experience, with Real Time 4WD available for added traction. The CR-V demonstrated commendable driving dynamics thanks to its MacPherson strut front and multi-link double wishbone rear suspension, as well as its capable electric steering system.

In terms of fuel efficiency, the turbo engine delivered an average of 27.7 mpg during testing, short of the EPA's combined rating of 29 mpg. The CR-V’s additional technology like adaptive cruise control and straight driving assist enhanced its driving experience further.

The 2019 Ford Edge offered a practical yet somewhat dated cabin space. The front seats were generally comfortable, with the ST trim featuring Ford Performance bucket seats that, while sporty, were unsuitable for taller drivers due to limited adjustment range. Rear passengers enjoyed ample head- and legroom, making it ideal for taller adults. When it came to cargo capacity, the Edge provided 39 cubic feet behind the rear seats, which could be expanded to 73.4 cubic feet by folding them down. This placed the Edge in a competitive position within the midsize SUV segment, offering more space than the Nissan Murano and Chevy Blazer, but slightly less than the Honda Passport.

In contrast, the 2019 Honda CR-V's interior was noted for its quality and space. The driver’s seat was highly adjustable, and higher trims offered additional comforts like heated seats and an optional heated steering wheel. Rear passenger space was generous, with plenty of room for adults and kids alike. The CR-V excelled in terms of cargo space, providing 39.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expandable to a class-leading 75.8 cubic feet when the rear seats were folded down. This capacious interior and practical storage solutions made the CR-V a stand-out choice for families and individuals needing substantial cargo capacity.

The base infotainment system in the 2019 Ford Edge featured a small digital screen operated by buttons, offering basic functionalities such as USB connectivity, WiFi hotspot, streaming music, and Bluetooth. SEL trims and above were equipped with the more advanced Sync 3 system, which included an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. This system was appreciated for its user-friendly interface, despite its somewhat average graphics.

The 2019 Honda CR-V started enhancing its technology offerings from the EX trim upwards. Features included Bluetooth connectivity, a 7-inch touchscreen, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. A navigation system was optional on EX-L trims and standard on Touring trims. Although the 7-inch touchscreen felt small and some features, like voice activation, were noted as cumbersome, the CR-V’s infotainment system still offered a comprehensive suite of modern conveniences. However, Honda was continually working on improving this system’s usability.

The 2019 Ford Edge came standard with a reversing camera, traction control, and a full array of airbags, along with Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assistance features. These included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beams, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims could be equipped with the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package, adding adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and a lane-centering system for enhanced safety.

The 2019 Honda CR-V, from the EX trim and above, included the Honda Sensing suite of safety features. This encompassed adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist, and a road-departure mitigation system. The EX trim and higher also added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The CR-V received strong safety ratings, being named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, though it missed the higher Top Safety Pick Plus rating due to its headlights’ performance.