2019 Ford Edge vs 2020 Subaru Ascent

The 2019 Ford Edge received a facelift that included a new grille, headlights, and lower front fascia, giving it a sportier appearance. The rear also saw updates with new taillights and a larger black panel replacing the red connector between the taillights. Despite these exterior updates, the interior remained largely unchanged from previous models, feeling dated and heavily reliant on plastics. The cabin did offer useful features like a new rotary shifter and plenty of standard and available features across its SE, SEL, Titanium, and ST trims.

In contrast, the 2020 Subaru Ascent looked like a larger Subaru Forester, with practical and utilitarian design elements. It featured gray plastic cladding for protection, an oversized grille, exaggerated fender flares, and robust roof rails. The Ascent's interior, especially in the Touring trim, was more stylish than previous Subaru models, with quality materials and thoughtful details. The Touring trim included premium leather, a panoramic sunroof, and special wood trim, making it feel luxurious. CarGurus recommended the Ascent Premium trim with additional packages for a well-rounded vehicle under $40,000.

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

The 2020 Subaru Ascent came with a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), and all-wheel drive. It produced 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, offering good acceleration for its size. However, the Ascent's fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 18.9 mpg during testing, compared to the EPA estimate of 22 mpg combined. The Ascent's handling was less inspiring, with numb steering and a suspension that struggled on undulating roads. Despite these drawbacks, the Ascent excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to its Active Torque Split AWD system, X-Mode off-road traction system, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2019 Ford Edge's cabin, though dated, was practical with deep storage bins, USB ports, and available wireless charging. The front seats were comfortable, but the ST's bucket seats were not ideal for tall drivers. The rear seats offered ample head- and legroom, and the cargo space was generous, with 39 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The Edge provided more cargo space than competitors like the Nissan Murano and Chevy Blazer, but slightly less than the Honda Passport.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent prioritized comfort, especially in the Touring trim, with soft leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The front seats had significant track travel, making them suitable for tall people. The Ascent offered a choice between a second-row bench seat or captain's chairs, with the latter providing additional comfort and convenience. The third-row seats were relatively spacious, and the Ascent's cargo capacity was impressive, with 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 47 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86 cubic feet with the second row folded. The Ascent also featured numerous storage solutions and a useful underfloor storage compartment.

The 2019 Ford Edge's base infotainment system was underwhelming, with a small 4.2-inch non-touchscreen. However, the available 8-inch Sync 3 system on higher trims was user-friendly and included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The system's graphics were average, but the intuitive menu layouts made it easy to use.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent's Starlink infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and a CD player. Premium trim and above featured an 8-inch touchscreen, text-messaging capability, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and Starlink Safety and Security connected services. The Touring trim added a high-resolution screen and navigation. While the voice-control system was outdated, the Harman Kardon speakers provided excellent sound quality. The Ascent also offered a 180-degree front camera view, a 180-degree rear camera view, and a PIN Code Vehicle Access system for active lifestyles.

The 2019 Ford Edge came standard with a reversing camera, traction control, and a full complement of airbags. It also included Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assistance features, such as 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 Subaru Ascent earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. It featured Subaru's EyeSight system, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Premium trim added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, while Limited trim included LED steering-responsive headlights and reverse automatic braking. The EyeSight Assist Monitor projected helpful visual cues onto the windshield, and the Ascent also included a rear-seat reminder system and Starlink Safety Plus connected services.