2019 Ford Edge vs 2020 Subaru Outback

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 2010 version. 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. However, the Edge offered a range of trims—SE, SEL, Titanium, and ST—each with a variety of standard and optional features, such as alloy wheels, keyless entry, and advanced sound systems, catering to different buyer preferences.

In contrast, the 2020 Subaru Outback focused on incremental improvements, maintaining its winning formula of utility, safety, and performance. Built on Subaru’s Global Platform, the Outback boasted a 70% increase in structural rigidity. The exterior changes were subtle, with minor updates to the head- and taillights, while the interior saw significant upgrades, including an 11.6-inch touchscreen for most trims. The Outback introduced innovative technology like DriverFocus, which used facial recognition to enhance driver safety and convenience. Available in seven trims, the Outback offered a range of features from basic safety equipment to advanced options like a turbocharged engine and off-road capabilities, making it a versatile choice for various driving needs.

The 2019 Ford Edge offered a standard 2-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, the latter adding $1,995 to the cost. The Edge ST, however, featured a more powerful 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, producing 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, exclusively paired with all-wheel drive. The ST was praised for its impressive acceleration and cornering abilities, providing a balanced and precise driving experience. Fuel economy for the Edge varied, with the base model achieving 22 mpg city and 29 highway, while the ST returned 19/26/21 mpg.

The 2020 Subaru Outback came with an upgraded 2.5-liter engine, offering 182 horsepower and improved fuel efficiency of 26 mpg city and 33 highway. For those seeking more power, the XT trims featured a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 260 hp and 277 pound-feet of torque, capable of reaching 60 mph in around 7 seconds. Both engines were mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which Subaru tuned to mimic a traditional automatic, minimizing the typical CVT drawbacks. The Outback's symmetrical all-wheel drive system provided consistent power delivery and enhanced stability, both on and off-road, with 8.7 inches of ground clearance and advanced off-road features in the Onyx XT trim.

The 2019 Ford Edge, despite its dated interior, offered practical storage solutions with a deep cargo bin in the center console and additional storage at the bottom of the center stack. The ST trim featured performance-oriented bucket seats, though they were not ideal for taller drivers due to limited adjustability. The rear seats provided ample space, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The Edge offered 39 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, making it competitive with similar crossovers like the Nissan Murano and Chevy Blazer.

The 2020 Subaru Outback excelled in functionality, offering 32.5 cubic feet of trunk space, expandable to 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats down. The increased interior volume was attributed to a wider rear wheel area, enhancing passenger comfort. The Outback's design prioritized visibility, providing excellent sightlines in most directions, though the rear quarters presented a minor blind spot. The spacious interior accommodated taller passengers comfortably, with ample headroom and legroom, even with the driver's seat in a preferred position.

The 2019 Ford Edge's base infotainment system featured a small 4.2-inch non-touchscreen, operated by buttons, offering basic functionality like USB connectivity and Bluetooth. Higher trims, such as the SEL and above, came with an 8-inch Sync 3 infotainment system, providing a more user-friendly experience with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration, despite its average graphics.

The 2020 Subaru Outback introduced a large 11.6-inch touchscreen, aiming to attract tech-savvy buyers. While the screen was visually appealing and generally easy to navigate, it suffered from lag across various functions, including navigation and radio controls. The camera resolution was also subpar, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the system held potential for improvement, offering a modern interface with advanced features.

The 2019 Ford Edge came equipped with a reversing camera, traction control, and a comprehensive set of airbags. It also featured Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite, which included 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 lane-centering capabilities.

The 2020 Subaru Outback offered a robust standard safety suite, including the EyeSight system, which provided features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. However, the optical nature of EyeSight meant it could be disrupted by environmental factors. The DriverFocus system, designed to alert distracted drivers, was criticized for its frequent false alerts. Despite these issues, the Outback maintained a strong safety reputation, bolstered by its standard all-wheel drive.