2019 GMC Acadia vs 2020 Ford Edge

The 2019 GMC Acadia was a stylish SUV with a shorter wheelbase that gave it an athletic stance, complemented by an upright grille that added an upscale touch. Despite not being marketed as a luxury SUV, it rivaled the more expensive Buick Envision in terms of aesthetics. The Acadia was often seen as a step up for Chevrolet Equinox owners, but it had a broader appeal beyond that niche. Although classified as a midsize SUV, it felt closer in size to compact competitors like the Nissan Rogue. The Acadia offered various trims, from the basic SL to the luxurious Denali, each adding more features and options, such as the SLT-1 AWD with the Black Edition appearance package, which gave it a more aggressive look.

The 2020 Ford Edge, introduced in 2006, was based on the Ford Fusion platform, offering a car-like ride and spacious cabin. The second generation, updated in 2019, carried over to 2020 with a design reminiscent of the Fusion, featuring angular headlights and a large grille. Inside, the Edge showed its age with a layout unchanged since 2015, though it included modern touches like a rotary shifter. The cabin quality was decent, with soft-touch materials, but marred by hard plastics. The Edge came in SE, SEL, Titanium, and ST trims, each adding more features, with the ST offering a performance-oriented experience with a more powerful engine and sportier styling.

The 2019 GMC Acadia offered two engine options: a 193-horsepower inline 4-cylinder and a 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V6. The V6 was available in higher trims and provided excellent acceleration, with power sent through a 6-speed automatic transmission to either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The AWD system featured GMC's Active Twin Clutch, allowing drivers to switch between different modes for varied driving conditions. The V6 Acadia could tow up to 4,000 pounds and offered a balanced driving experience, with fuel economy figures of 21 mpg city, 26 highway for the 4-cylinder, and 17/25 for the V6.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It provided solid low-end acceleration but struggled at higher speeds. The Edge ST trim featured a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 with 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, offering a more engaging driving experience with standard AWD. The ST had a heavier steering feel and excellent cornering, with a Sport mode enhancing throttle response and transmission mapping. The Edge's suspension was designed for American roads, providing a smooth ride over imperfections.

The 2019 GMC Acadia offered ample space for the driver and front passenger, with deep trays and bins for storage. The SL, SLE-1, and SLE-2 trims featured 7-passenger seating, while the SLT-1 AWD had captain's chairs, reducing capacity to six. The second-row seats were comfortable, but the third row was cramped, suitable only for children. Cargo space was limited, with 12.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 79 cubic feet with all seats folded. Rubberized floor mats made it practical for outdoor activities.

The 2020 Ford Edge excelled in cabin layout, providing a commanding view of the road and ample storage compartments. It offered generous second-row head- and legroom, with no need to adjust front seats for rear passenger comfort. The Edge provided 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, surpassing some competitors. The SEL and Titanium trims featured a hands-free power liftgate, enhancing convenience.

The 2019 GMC Acadia's base SL trim came with a 7-inch touchscreen running the IntelliLink infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a WiFi hotspot. The SLT-1 trim upgraded to an 8-inch screen, with navigation standard on the Denali. Higher trims added a 4.2-inch color information display in the gauge cluster, with an 8-inch display on the Denali. A color head-up display was also available, providing essential information to the driver.

The 2020 Ford Edge offered the SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen as standard across all trims. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a user-friendly interface with a home button for easy navigation. Optional voice-activated navigation was available on higher trims, with a five-year pre-paid subscription to SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link. The Edge also featured smart-charging USB ports and an optional dual rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2019 GMC Acadia came with standard airbags, a reversing camera, and traction control. The Driver Alert Package 1, standard on the SLT-1 and optional on the SLE-2, added blind-spot warning, lane-change alert, and rear park assist. The SLT-2 trim included the Driver Alert Package 2, with features like low-speed forward automatic braking, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision alert. However, these features were standard on base trims of some competitors.

The 2020 Ford Edge included a full array of airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Ford Co-Pilot360 safety system was standard on all trims, offering automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The SEL trim offered the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package, adding adaptive cruise control and active lane centering. The Edge received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.