2019 Ford Edge vs 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2019 Ford Edge underwent a noticeable facelift, featuring a new grille, headlights, and a redesigned lower front fascia. The rear of the vehicle also saw updates 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 the 2014 Edge. The cabin, while functional with a new rotary shifter, was criticized for its heavy use of plastics, particularly around the touchscreen area, which detracted from its modern appeal. 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, which included unique styling elements and performance upgrades. The ST trim, while visually appealing, came with a steep price tag, making the SEL trim a more balanced choice for many buyers.

In contrast, the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee maintained its classic design, appealing to a broad audience with its traditional Jeep styling cues such as the 7-slot grille and trapezoidal fenders. The Grand Cherokee's design was versatile, fitting in both rugged outdoor settings and upscale environments. The model range was extensive, starting with the Laredo and extending to the luxurious Summit, with high-performance SRT and Trackhawk versions available for those seeking more power. The Limited X trim, tested at $53,275, featured a sport-themed design with a ventilated hood and 20-inch wheels, but the interior materials were criticized for not matching the price point, with hard plastics detracting from the overall quality. Despite this, the Grand Cherokee's design remained a strong selling point, offering a blend of ruggedness and sophistication.

The 2019 Ford Edge offered a standard 2-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine across its non-ST trims, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, provided reliable performance with the option of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive for an additional cost. The ST trim, however, 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's performance was impressive, offering excellent acceleration and handling, particularly in Sport Mode, which enhanced the driving experience. Despite its performance focus, the ST maintained a comfortable ride, even on rough roads, and offered reasonable fuel economy for its class, with the base model achieving up to 29 mpg on the highway.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided satisfactory acceleration and a combined fuel economy of 21 mpg, though real-world figures were slightly lower. For those seeking more power, the Grand Cherokee offered three V8 engine options, including a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 360 horsepower and a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 in the SRT model with 475 horsepower. The Trackhawk model featured a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, delivering an astounding 707 horsepower and a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds. The Grand Cherokee's off-road capabilities were highlighted by the Trailhawk model, equipped with all-terrain tires and advanced 4WD systems. However, its on-road dynamics were mixed, with some suspension issues affecting ride comfort and handling.

The 2019 Ford Edge offered a practical interior with ample storage options, including a deep center console bin and large door pockets. The front seats were comfortable, though the ST trim's performance bucket seats were not ideal for taller drivers due to limited adjustability. The rear seats provided generous space, accommodating taller passengers with ease. Cargo capacity was a strong point, with 39 cubic feet available behind the rear seats and 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded down, making it competitive within its class.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, while smaller in terms of cargo space, offered 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 68.3 cubic feet with them folded. The front seats were heated and power-adjustable, though ventilation was not available in the Limited X trim. Rear passengers enjoyed adequate legroom and amenities like air vents and USB ports. Interior storage was decent, with useful door-panel bins and a center console tray, though the glovebox and center armrest bin were limited in space. The Grand Cherokee's interior was functional, but some features, like the seat heater controls integrated into the infotainment system, were less user-friendly.

The 2019 Ford Edge's base infotainment system was basic, featuring a small 4.2-inch screen with button controls. Higher trims offered the more advanced Sync 3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen, providing Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The system was praised for its intuitive layout, despite average graphics.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system, known for its speed and ease of use. The Limited X trim included an 8.4-inch touchscreen with navigation, smartphone integration, and connected services. An optional Alpine sound system was available, though not as impressive as the Harman Kardon system in higher trims. Unique to Jeep, the Off-Road Pages app provided valuable information for off-road adventures, while the SRT and Trackhawk models offered Performance Pages for tracking performance metrics.

The 2019 Ford Edge came standard with a reversing camera, traction control, and a comprehensive set of airbags. Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assistance features was also standard, including automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims could be equipped with the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package, adding adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three ADAS packages, starting with ProTech I, which included a reversing camera and blind-spot monitoring. ProTech II added features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist, while Advanced ProTech II included adaptive cruise control and semi-autonomous parking assist. Despite these features, the Grand Cherokee's crash-test ratings were less impressive, with a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and mixed results from the IIHS.