2020 Ford Explorer vs 2019 Ford Edge

The 2019 Ford Edge presented a refreshed exterior with a new grille, headlights, and lower front fascia, along with revamped taillights and a larger black panel at the rear. These updates granted the Edge a sportier look across all trims. However, the interior remained largely unchanged from previous models, retaining a dated appearance that relied heavily on plastic materials, which diminished its overall modern feel. The cabin featured standard and available amenities such as a new rotary shifter, keyless entry, push-button start, and rain-sensing wipers—all enhancing its usability despite its aging design.

In comparison, the 2020 Ford Explorer boasted a more refined and athletic appearance, drawing comparisons to the Land Rover Discovery. Its new design made the SUV look lower and more dynamic, thanks to features like widened headlights, an extra-large grille, and prominent "Explorer" lettering on the hood. While the exterior was striking, the interior struggled to match its luxurious aspirations, especially at a $60,000 price point. Despite having several high-end features like aluminum speaker covers and solid switchgear, the interior was marred by extensive use of low-quality plastics and simplistic finishes, which felt out of place in a vehicle of its price.

The 2019 Ford Edge offered a balanced mix of performance options. Non-ST trims were equipped with Ford’s EcoBoost 2-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque through an 8-speed automatic transmission to either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). This setup provided commendable performance and fuel efficiency, achieving 25 mpg combined with the FWD variant.

The Edge ST, however, brought a significant performance boost with its 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, churning out 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, exclusively paired with AWD. Its Sport Mode and calibrated exhaust system offered thrilling acceleration and impressive cornering capabilities while maintaining ride comfort.

Meanwhile, the 2020 Ford Explorer emphasized its performance credentials with a strong lineup of engines and a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) chassis for better weight distribution, akin to luxury brands like BMW. The ST trim, with its 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, produced a powerful 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. This configuration ensured smooth and addictive power delivery, while the precise steering and superb cornering made the ST a standout for driving enthusiasts.

Additionally, the Explorer offered a 2.3-liter turbo inline-four engine producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque—common in the Mustang and Focus RS—providing robust performance for its class. A hybrid option paired with a 3.3-liter V6 was available, though its fuel economy didn’t offer significant advantages over standard models.

Despite its dated interior design, the 2019 Ford Edge provided practical features and ample space. It included deep cargo bins in the center console and center stack, along with spacious in-door pockets. The front seats, although comfortable, faced a design issue in the ST trim due to high seat positioning, causing discomfort for taller drivers. However, the rear seats offered generous head- and legroom, making it suitable for taller passengers. When it came to cargo space, the Edge boasted 39 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, surpassing competitors like the Nissan Murano and Chevy Blazer.

Conversely, the 2020 Ford Explorer excelled in interior spaciousness and cargo capacity. It offered a roomy environment, especially in the revamped third row, allowing six-foot-tall adults to sit comfortably for short trips. The second row featured captain’s chairs with easy exit functions, enhancing passenger convenience. Although cargo space behind the third row was reduced to 18 cubic feet, the Explorer compensated with 48 cubic feet behind the second row and an impressive 88 cubic feet with all seats folded, positioning it among the leaders in its class.

The 2019 Ford Edge incorporated Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite, featuring a modest 4.2-inch non-touchscreen infotainment system in the base model, which was limited and felt outdated compared to modern standards. Higher trims, like the SEL, Titanium, and ST, came with an 8-inch Sync 3 system, offering a better user interface, voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration.

In contrast, the 2020 Ford Explorer offered a robust technology suite, starting with an 8-inch touchscreen with Sync 3, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G Wi-Fi as standard. Higher trims could upgrade to a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, providing detailed, high-resolution displays for navigation and vehicle settings. The Explorer also featured FordPass Connect, allowing remote vehicle access via a smartphone app. However, some aspects, like the semi-automated Co-Pilot360 Assist+ system, felt underdeveloped compared to rivals.

The 2019 Ford Edge came standard with a variety of safety features, including a reversing camera, traction control, and multiple airbags. It also featured Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite, providing automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beams, and blind-spot monitoring. The optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and lane-centering, enhancing overall driver assistance capabilities.

Similarly, the 2020 Ford Explorer included Ford Co-Pilot360 as standard, with features like forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. The Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, steering assist, and reverse braking, although some features, such as reverse braking, demonstrated inconsistent performance. Safety ratings from the IIHS indicated an "Acceptable" score in the small overlap test on the driver’s side, pointing to areas needing improvement.