2020 Ford Edge vs 2020 Nissan Murano

The 2020 Ford Edge, initially launched in 2006, was among the early players in the crossover SUV category. By 2015, Ford had introduced the second generation of the Edge, which had undergone a significant styling update in 2019. This refreshed design, extending into the 2020 model year, lent the Edge a sharp, modern appearance reminiscent of the Ford Fusion sedan, with its angular headlights and large, trapezoidal grille. Despite these updates, the Edge's interior showed its age, retaining the same layout from 2015 with only subtle refinements. The cabin, though equipped with soft-touch materials, suffered from an overabundance of hard plastics. The 2020 Ford Edge was available in SE, SEL, Titanium, and ST trims, each offering progressively more features. The SE provided a suite of tech amenities like a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, satellite radio, WiFi hotspot, and the Ford SYNC 3 infotainment system. The SEL trim added features like LED fog lights, synthetic leather upholstery, and a nine-speaker premium audio system. The Titanium trim offered luxurious upgrades, including genuine leather upholstery, a 10-way power-adjustable passenger seat, and a premium B&O by Bang & Olufsen sound system. The ST trim focused on performance, featuring sporty styling and a powerful engine. In contrast, the 2020 Nissan Murano had a design that echoed the past generation of Nissan vehicles, despite receiving updates in 2019. These updates included a refreshed grille, redesigned LED headlights and taillights, and new wheel designs. However, the Murano’s exterior, while still attractive, lacked the modernity seen in its upcoming stablemates like the redesigned Pathfinder and Armada. Nissan offered the Murano in S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with each higher trim level incorporating more standard features. The SV trim included heated outside mirrors and adaptive cruise control. The SL trim added traffic-sign recognition technology, while the Platinum trim featured a new leather-wrapped steering wheel. The wheels ranged from standard 18-inch machined aluminum-alloy to 20-inch Dark Hyper Silver finishes. Inside, the Murano Platinum grade boasted premium materials, but the design of the center stack and steering wheel spoke to the year 2014, when the current generation Murano debuted.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. It offered an eight-speed automatic transmission with a choice between FWD and AWD. This engine provided solid low-end acceleration but was less responsive at higher speeds. For those looking for more power, the Edge ST was the performance variant, equipped with a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic to standard AWD. The ST’s heavy steering and impressive cornering made for an engaging drive, especially with its Sport mode that enhanced throttle response and transmission mapping. The 2020 Nissan Murano, although showing its age, excelled with its standard 3.5-liter V6 engine, offering 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. It paired with a quiet CVT, contributing to a serene cabin atmosphere. The Murano’s EPA ratings were respectable with 20 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. Despite its FWD standard drivetrain, an AWD option was available, improving road grip but introducing noticeable body lean. The Murano’s four-wheel independent suspension managed to absorb bumps effectively, making it a comfortable cruiser akin to the Lincoln Nautilus, but lacking the sharp agility of premium German SUVs. The Murano had a towing capacity of 1,500 pounds.

The 2020 Ford Edge excelled in its cabin layout, providing a commanding view of the road and ample storage. The second-row seats offered generous head- and legroom, ensuring comfort without needing to adjust the front seats. The Edge boasted impressive cargo space with 39.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 73.4 cubic feet when the 60/40 split-fold rear seats were down. This surpassed the cargo capacity of both the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Nissan Murano, though it fell slightly short of the Honda Passport. Higher trims like the SEL and Titanium offered a hands-free foot-activated power liftgate for added convenience. The 2020 Nissan Murano’s standout feature was its Zero Gravity seats, providing exceptional comfort for long distances. The Murano offered ample headroom, shoulder room, and hip room, surpassing the Rogue and even the Lexus RX in certain dimensions. However, cargo space was a compromise, with 32.1 cubic feet behind the second row and 67.0 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, less than the Edge and many competitors. However, its low cargo floor and easy-to-fold rear seats maintained usability. A power liftgate was standard on the higher trims, and features like dual-zone automatic climate control and remote engine start added to the convenience.

The 2020 Ford Edge impressed with its standard Ford SYNC 3 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with a home button to navigate easily. Optional upgrades included a voice-activated navigation system with pinch-to-zoom control, and a semi-digital instrument panel was available on higher trims. The Edge also offered a dual rear-seat entertainment system with screens in the front headrests, catering to families on road trips. The 2020 Nissan Murano, though behind its competitors in tech, made strides with its accessible and colorful 8-inch infotainment system. It came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, four USB ports, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and voice recognition. Upgrades included an 11-speaker Bose audio system and navigation with traffic functionality. The Platinum trim featured NissanConnect Services, offering functionalities akin to GM’s OnStar. An Amazon Alexa skill was also available, enhancing the connectivity of the Murano.

The 2020 Ford Edge boasted comprehensive safety features, including front and side-impact airbags, AdvanceTrac traction control, and a child seat anchoring system. The Ford Co-Pilot360 suite added advanced driver assistance systems like automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The SEL trim could be upgraded to include Co-Pilot360 Assist+ with adaptive cruise control and active lane centering. The Edge received top safety ratings, including a "Top Safety Pick" from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. The 2020 Nissan Murano offered Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 as standard on higher trims, including features like forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-departure warning. Despite lacking the advanced driver-assist technology found in some rivals, the Murano performed well in safety tests, receiving "good" ratings across most IIHS categories and five stars from NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in rollover tests.