2020 Honda Passport vs 2019 Ford Edge

The 2019 Ford Edge underwent a noticeable 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while functional with features like a new rotary shifter, was criticized for its heavy use of plastics and an overall outdated design. The Edge offered a range of trims, from the base SE with standard features like 18-inch alloy wheels and keyless entry, to the performance-oriented ST with unique styling elements and enhanced features. The SEL trim was noted for its balance of affordability and available luxury features, making it a recommended choice for many buyers.

The 2020 Honda Passport followed Honda's traditional design approach, offering a practical and rugged exterior that positioned it between the Honda Pilot and CR-V in terms of size and capability. The Passport's design suggested a more athletic and off-road-ready vehicle, with features like a scratch-resistant grille, 20-inch black alloy wheels, and increased ground clearance. Inside, the Passport's cabin was described as sophisticated, with a focus on utility and comfort. The Elite trim, as tested, came with high-end features such as heated and ventilated front seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, and a moonroof. The interior design emphasized spaciousness and practicality, appealing to loyal Honda customers who appreciated the brand's consistent and functional design choices. The Passport also offered various packages to enhance its features, catering to different customer needs.

The 2019 Ford Edge offered a standard 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged 4-cylinder engine across its non-ST trims, delivering 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, with the latter adding $1,995 to the cost. The performance-focused ST trim featured a more powerful 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, producing 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, exclusively paired with all-wheel drive. The ST was praised for its impressive acceleration and handling, particularly on winding roads, while maintaining a comfortable 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 Honda Passport was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine across all trims, generating 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. While the engine provided adequate power for various driving conditions, its fuel economy was less impressive, with front-wheel drive models achieving 20 mpg city, 25 highway, and 22 combined, and all-wheel drive models slightly lower. The Passport excelled in diverse driving environments, from city streets to mountainous terrain, maintaining performance even at high elevations. The Elite trim featured standard torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, enhancing stability and control, especially on challenging roads. The Passport also offered drive modes for different terrains, showcasing its off-road capabilities. With a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, the Passport outperformed many of its competitors in this aspect.

The 2019 Ford Edge, despite its dated interior, provided practical storage solutions with a deep center console bin, USB ports, and large in-door pockets. The front seats were comfortable, though the ST's performance bucket seats were less accommodating for taller individuals. The rear seats offered ample space, with generous head- and legroom, and the cargo area provided 39 cubic feet of space, expandable to 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This made the Edge competitive in terms of cargo capacity, though it fell slightly short of the Passport.

The 2020 Honda Passport was lauded for its practicality, offering a spacious interior with comfortable seating for four adults. The absence of a third row was offset by the ample legroom and adjustable seatbelts in the front row. The Passport's seats were compared favorably to those in the Pilot and Odyssey, providing excellent comfort and support. The SUV featured tri-zone automatic climate control and sunshades for rear passengers, enhancing comfort. Cargo space was a highlight, with 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and the most under-floor storage in its class. The Passport's interior design prioritized functionality, with thoughtful storage solutions and easy-to-clean surfaces.

The 2019 Ford Edge's base infotainment system was basic, with a small 4.2-inch screen and limited functionality. Higher trims offered an 8-inch Sync 3 system, praised for its intuitive interface and features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. Despite its usability, the system's graphics were considered average.

The 2020 Honda Passport featured a 5.0-inch display in the base model, with higher trims receiving an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with responsive controls and easy navigation. Additional features on higher trims included a 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Passport's dashboard design was somewhat dated, but its functionality remained reliable.

The 2019 Ford Edge came standard with a reversing camera, traction control, and a comprehensive set of airbags. It also included Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite, offering features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims could be upgraded with Co-Pilot360 Assist+, adding adaptive cruise control and lane-centering.

The 2020 Honda Passport prioritized safety, earning high ratings from IIHS and NHTSA, and was named an IIHS Top Safety Pick. It featured the Honda Sensing suite, including collision mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims offered additional safety features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic detection.