2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport 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. However, the interior remained largely unchanged from previous models, with a dated feel that relied heavily on plastic materials. Despite the addition of a new rotary shifter, the cabin struggled to appear modern. 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 enhancements from Ford Performance and a higher price tag.

In contrast, the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV maintained a subtle exterior, with no gratuitous styling changes to differentiate it from other versions. The charging port was cleverly integrated into the grille, maintaining the vehicle's sleek design. The PHEV model started at a higher price point due to its HSE trim, and my test vehicle, with additional options, totaled $93,200. The interior boasted high-quality materials, but the cargo space was compromised by the battery placement. Despite this, the Range Rover Sport provided excellent front-seat comfort and a spacious rear seat, enhanced by features like a panoramic glass roof and 4-zone automatic climate control.

The 2019 Ford Edge offered a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine for non-ST trims, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive for an additional cost. The ST trim featured a more powerful 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, producing 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, exclusively with all-wheel drive. The ST provided impressive acceleration and handling, especially on winding roads, while maintaining a comfortable ride. Fuel economy for the base engine was 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined, while the ST achieved 19/26/21 mpg.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with a 141-hp electric motor and a 13-kWh battery, producing a total of 398 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. Despite Land Rover's claim of a 31-mile all-electric range, my test vehicle struggled to maintain EV mode, possibly due to factors like climate control usage or terrain. The PHEV averaged 25.5 mpg over a 60-mile loop, showing some improvement over previous models. The Range Rover Sport PHEV offered quick acceleration and a comfortable ride, with adaptive air suspension and various driving modes enhancing its performance. However, the steering and regenerative brakes required smooth driving to avoid discomfort.

The 2019 Ford Edge's interior, though dated, was practical with ample storage options, including a deep cargo bin and in-door pockets. The front seats were comfortable, but the ST's bucket seats were not ideal for taller individuals. The rear seats provided generous space, and the cargo area offered 39 cubic feet, expandable to 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This made the Edge competitive with similar crossovers, offering more space than the Nissan Murano and Chevy Blazer, but slightly less than the Honda Passport.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV faced challenges with its cargo space due to the battery placement, reducing the area to less than the standard model's 27.5 cubic feet. Despite this, the vehicle comfortably accommodated five passengers, with excellent front-seat comfort and a spacious rear seat. The interior featured a dual-glove-box design and optional amenities like a refrigerated center console bin. The panoramic glass roof and gesture-controlled sunshade added to the cabin's appeal, though practical storage was limited.

The 2019 Ford Edge's base infotainment system featured a small digital screen with basic functionality, including a USB port and WiFi hotspot. However, the 4.2-inch non-touchscreen felt outdated compared to competitors. The SEL trim and higher offered an 8-inch Sync 3 infotainment system, praised for its intuitive menu layout and integration with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was complex and could be frustrating to use, even for tech-savvy drivers. Despite spending time setting up the system, I encountered occasional issues with accessing features and unexpected behavior. The lack of haptic feedback from the touchscreen added to the challenge. While the system managed the vehicle's complexity, it required patience and familiarity to operate smoothly.

The 2019 Ford Edge came standard with a reversing camera, traction control, and a full set of airbags. Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assistance features was also standard, including 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 Land Rover Range Rover Sport included numerous advanced driver-assistance systems, though the technology could be distracting. The optional Driver Assist Package added a new steering-assist system, which could be aggressive in centering the vehicle. The lane-keeping assist system also worked abruptly, leading me to disable these features. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the vehicle's substantial weight provided a sense of security in collisions.