2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2020 Ford Edge

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite its decade-old design, maintained a timeless appeal with its classic 7-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and various aluminum wheel designs. The Laredo trim started at $31,945, with an additional $1,495 destination charge, and 4WD added another $2,000. The Grand Cherokee offered 11 additional trims, each catering to different needs, from style to off-roading to luxury and performance. The Limited X trim, priced at just over $50,000, featured a performance vented hood, unique 20-inch wheels, and special leather seats. However, the interior had some drawbacks, such as hard plastic panels and a few build quality issues.

In contrast, the 2020 Ford Edge, based on the Ford Fusion sedan platform, provided a car-like ride and ample cabin space. The second-generation Edge, updated in 2019, featured angular headlights and a large trapezoidal grille. Inside, the layout remained largely unchanged since 2015, with some updates in 2019. The center console had small, awkwardly arranged controls, but the cabin quality was decent with soft-touch materials and solid fit-and-finish. However, the heavy use of hard plastics detracted from the overall feel.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a range of engines, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 producing 295 horsepower. For more power, buyers could opt for a 360-hp 5.7-liter V8, a 425-hp 6.4-liter V8 in the SRT, or the Trackhawk's 707-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8. An 8-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels, with three 4WD systems available depending on the trim. The Limited X trim featured the Quadra-Drive II system, 8.6 inches of ground clearance, and Selec-Terrain driving modes. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Grand Cherokee's fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 18.3 mpg in testing. On-road, it handled well, with robust acceleration and decent handling, though the brakes struggled during long descents.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. Power was routed through an eight-speed automatic transmission to either the front wheels or available AWD. The Edge ST trim featured a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. The ST's performance was impressive, with heavy steering and excellent cornering. The Edge's suspension provided a smooth ride, and the Sport mode in the ST enhanced throttle response and transmission mapping.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee, a 5-passenger midsize SUV, offered a roomy cabin with comfortable, power-adjustable, and heated front seats. However, rear passengers faced hard plastic front-seatback panels that could be uncomfortable. Storage space was limited, with small bins and cup holders. Cargo space was also modest, with 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 68.3 cubic feet with the seats folded flat.

The 2020 Ford Edge excelled in cabin layout, offering a commanding view of the road and plenty of storage compartments. The second-row head- and legroom were generous, ensuring comfort without needing to adjust the front seats. The Edge provided 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This was more than the Grand Cherokee and other competitors, though slightly less than the Honda Passport. The SEL and Titanium trims featured a hands-free foot-activated power rear liftgate.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Higher trims featured Jeep’s Uconnect technology with improved graphics, faster response, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, voice recognition, and navigation. Pairing an iPhone was easy, and the voice recognition system worked well. The test vehicle had a 9-speaker Alpine audio system, with higher trims offering a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system.

The 2020 Ford Edge boasted the SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, standard on all trims. SYNC 3 included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a user-friendly interface. Navigation was optional on the SEL and ST trims and standard on the Titanium, which also included SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link. The Edge featured two smart-charging USB ports and an optional dual rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered modern driver-assistance technologies, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and available semi-autonomous parking assistance. The Advanced Active Safety Group package added adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and rain-sensing wipers. However, the Grand Cherokee received poor safety ratings from the IIHS and a 3-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front and side-impact airbags, AdvanceTrac traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Ford Co-Pilot360 system, standard on all trims, included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring. The SEL trim offered the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package with 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.