2019 Ford Edge vs 2020 Cadillac XT4

The 2019 Ford Edge underwent a significant exterior update, featuring a new grille, headlights, and a redesigned lower front fascia. The rear of the vehicle also saw changes, with new taillights and a larger black panel replacing the previous red connector, giving the Edge a sportier look across all trims. Despite these exterior enhancements, the interior remained largely unchanged from previous models, retaining a dated feel reminiscent of earlier versions. The cabin, while functional with features like a new rotary shifter, was criticized for its heavy use of plastics and outdated design elements. However, the Edge offered a range of trims with various standard and optional features, including the SE, SEL, Titanium, and ST, each providing different levels of luxury and performance.

In contrast, the 2020 Cadillac XT4 adopted a "Y" trim level strategy, offering a standard Luxury trim with options to upgrade to Premium Luxury or Sport trims. The Premium Luxury trim, which was tested, included features such as 20-inch aluminum wheels, a navigation system, and a Bose premium audio system. The XT4 was praised for its visually appealing design, especially with the larger wheels, and its interior was noted for using competitive quality materials, though some areas fell short of luxury expectations. The cabin was comfortable, with soft leather and padded surfaces, but the rear seat lacked support despite ample legroom. The XT4's air conditioning system was particularly effective, and the vehicle offered plenty of storage options, though cargo space was limited compared to some competitors.

The 2019 Ford Edge offered a range of performance options, with non-ST trims powered by a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations, with AWD adding $1,995 to the cost. The ST trim, however, featured a more powerful 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, exclusively with AWD. The ST was noted for its impressive acceleration and handling, particularly on winding roads, while maintaining a smooth ride over rough surfaces. Fuel economy for the Edge varied, with the most efficient version achieving 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined, while the ST returned 19/26/21 mpg.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, with a nine-speed automatic transmission powering either the front or all four wheels. The XT4's engine provided a lively driving experience, though front-wheel drive models experienced some slip and torque steer. The transmission offered smooth shifts but was occasionally hesitant to downshift, even in Sport mode. The XT4's ride and handling were mixed, with good steering effort in Tour mode but an artificially heavy feel in Sport mode. The suspension struggled with speed humps and smaller bumps, though the oversized tires provided impressive grip. Fuel economy for the XT4 was rated at 26 mpg for FWD models, with the test vehicle achieving 24.8 mpg.

The 2019 Ford Edge's interior, while dated, was practical with ample storage options, including a deep cargo bin in the center console and large in-door pockets. The front seats were comfortable, though the ST trim's bucket seats were not ideal for taller individuals. The rear seats offered generous space, accommodating taller passengers with ease. Cargo capacity was a strong point, with 39 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded down, surpassing some competitors in its class.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 provided a comfortable cabin with soft leather, padded surfaces, and heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats. The rear seats, while spacious, lacked support, and the steering wheel was noted for being too skinny. The XT4's air conditioning system was highly effective, and the interior featured a clean, minimalistic design with ample storage options. However, cargo space was limited, with 22.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 48.9 cubic feet with the seats folded, which may not meet the needs of those requiring more storage.

The 2019 Ford Edge's base infotainment system was basic, with a small 4.2-inch non-touchscreen and button-operated controls. It included essential features like a USB port, WiFi hotspot, and Bluetooth, but felt outdated compared to competitors. The available 8-inch Sync 3 system, standard on higher trims, offered a more modern experience with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration, though graphics were only average.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 featured the latest version of the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) system, which was more user-friendly than previous iterations. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and Bluetooth pairing for two devices. The 8-inch touchscreen was complemented by intuitive controls on the center console and steering wheel, as well as a voice-recognition system. However, the screen size was deemed small for a luxury vehicle, and the climate system was not integrated with voice commands. The optional 13-speaker Bose audio system provided a satisfying listening experience, though some advanced features like a head-up display were not present in the test vehicle.

The 2019 Ford Edge came standard with a reversing camera, traction control, and a full set of airbags, along with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assistance features. This 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 upgraded with the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package, adding adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and a lane-centering system.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 added several safety features for the model year, including forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, low-speed automatic emergency braking, and a vibrating Safety Alert Seat system. Additional features included a rear-seat reminder, Teen Driver technology, and two years of automatic collision notification and emergency assistance. Premium Luxury and Sport trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and lane-change warning systems, with further options available through various packages. The XT4 received a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS had not completed all testing.