2021 Audi Q5 vs 2020 Ford Edge

The 2020 Ford Edge, introduced in 2006, was based on the Ford Fusion sedan platform, offering a car-like ride and ample cabin space. The second generation, arriving in 2015, received a styling update in 2019, which carried over to 2020. This update gave the Edge a fresh look with angular headlights and a large trapezoidal grille, resembling a crossover version of the Fusion. Inside, the Edge showed signs of aging with a layout unchanged since 2015, despite subtle updates. The center console had small, awkwardly arranged controls, and the rotary shifter, a contemporary Ford design cue, solved some space issues. The cabin quality was decent, with soft-touch materials and solid fit-and-finish, but the heavy use of hard plastics detracted from the overall feel.

The 2021 Audi Q5, on the other hand, was a sharp-looking crossover SUV that carried the Audi design language well while maintaining its individual character. It featured an expressive face with LED headlights and a big Audi Singleframe grille, emphasizing width. The body had crisp character lines, and the rear boasted bold, large taillights. Inside, the Q5 was classy and modern, packed with technology yet maintaining an uncluttered appearance. Buttons, switches, and knobs were smartly grouped, and the material selection was high-quality, with real wood, metal, and honed surfaces. The 10.1-inch touchscreen was well-placed, and the second row was nicely appointed with standard leather seating surfaces.

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 to the front wheels or available all-wheel drive through an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine provided solid low-end acceleration, suitable for city driving, but struggled at higher speeds. The Edge's suspension was designed for American roads, soaking up potholes with ease while maintaining a refined and engaging drive. The sporty Edge ST variant featured a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque to standard AWD. The ST had a bit of turbo lag at low speeds but offered plenty of power at higher revs, with heavy steering and fantastic cornering. A Sport mode enhanced the driving experience, and an ST Performance Brake Package was available.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV took the standard Q5 and made it better by adding an additional 114 horsepower and 96 pound-feet of torque with a 14.1-kWh battery. The total combined output for the PHEV was 362 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque, matching well with the crossover’s 4,665-lb curb weight. The electric motor worked with the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder gasoline engine, providing convincing acceleration (0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds) and impressive fuel economy figures of 65 MPGe combined. The Q5 PHEV’s battery pack could be recharged overnight with household current or in 2.4 hours with Level 2 service. The Q5 PHEV used a seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission with full-time Quattro all-wheel drive and could be switched into various driving modes. Handling was good, with a slightly stiff, sporty setting that balanced comfort with road feel, minimal body roll, and powerful, predictable braking.

The 2020 Ford Edge's strongest suit was its cabin layout, offering a commanding view of the road without being overly upright. The seats were surrounded by plenty of cubbies and compartments, designed for commuting or road trips. Second-row head- and legroom were plentiful, and the two rows provided were spacious and comfortable. The Edge offered 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The SEL and Titanium trims came with a hands-free foot-activated power rear liftgate.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV managed to carry its battery pack under the luggage compartment floor, preserving cargo space. It offered 25.1 cubic feet of space behind the second row, expanding to 53.1 cubic feet with the second row folded. The second row provided reasonable legroom (37.8 inches), headroom (37.7 inches), and shoulder room (56.5 inches), accommodating two adults comfortably and a third for shorter rides. The front row featured Audi’s super-comfortable and supportive seats with a wide range of adjustments, heating, and ventilation on the Prestige trim. The front row also had several cubbies and nooks for storage, reflecting the uncluttered design.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen that was easy to use. SYNC 3 included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, eliminating the need for extra navigation costs. A voice-activated navigation system was optional on the SEL and ST and standard on the Titanium, including SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link with real-time traffic updates. The Edge also came with two smart-charging USB ports and an optional dual rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV featured Audi’s latest MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with a new center-console touchpad that was easy to use. The Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster offered three views and elevated the cabin with futuristic tech. The Prestige Package included the Navigation Package, optimizing fuel consumption and battery usage in hybrid mode. The Integrated Toll Module (ITM) was standard on all Q5 models, and a Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system was available on Premium Plus models and standard on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay was also included.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a full array of airbags, AdvanceTrac traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Ford Co-Pilot360 safety system was standard on every trim, including 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, 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.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV had not been rated by the IIHS, but the 2020 Q5 received top ratings in every category except headlights. The NHTSA awarded the 2021 Q5 gasoline model five stars. Safety features included six airbags, an anti-lock braking system, Audi Pre Sense basic, low-speed collision assist, and more. Available driver-assistance features included Audi Advanced Key, Audi Pre Sense rear, Audi Side Assist, adaptive cruise control, and a top-view camera system.