2021 Chevrolet Blazer 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, updated in 2019, carried over to 2020 with angular headlights and a large trapezoidal grille, giving it a crossover version of the Fusion look. Inside, the layout remained largely unchanged since 2015, with some updates in 2019. The center console had small, awkwardly arranged controls, and the rotary shifter was a contemporary design cue. 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 Chevrolet Blazer, with its aggressive styling, evoked comparisons to the Lamborghini Urus. Its wedgy profile, slim-cut windows, and sawblade 20-inch wheels gave it a striking appearance. The Blazer borrowed design elements from the Camaro, including a snarling face, chopped roof, and muscled body, making it look good from every angle. However, the interior was a letdown, with an all-black, unsatisfying cabin, featureless and unsupportive seats, and downmarket plastic materials. The central screen was undersized, and the materials felt cheap, especially given the Blazer's price point.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided solid low-end acceleration, making it great for city driving, though it struggled at higher speeds. The Edge's suspension was designed for American roads, soaking up potholes and providing a refined, engaging ride. The sporty Edge ST variant featured a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, with standard AWD. The ST had a bit of turbo lag at low speeds but offered plenty of power once the revs were up, with heavy steering and fantastic cornering.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer offered three engines: a 2.5-liter inline-four with 193 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque, a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder with 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 with 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. The V6, standard on the RS trim, provided a strong and light feel, with a sport-tuned suspension, brakes, and steering. However, the transmission calibration had issues, with slow responses and a convoluted manual mode. The Blazer's fuel economy was average, with the AWD V6 achieving 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.

The 2020 Ford Edge excelled in cabin layout, offering a commanding view of the road and plenty of cubbies and compartments. The second-row head- and legroom were ample, 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 featured a hands-free foot-activated power rear liftgate.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer seated four comfortably, with seats mounted lower into the floor, making entry and exit easy. However, sightlines were poor due to the low roof height. The Blazer offered 64 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat folded and 30 cubic feet with the seats raised. The Blazer could tow up to 4,500 pounds with the trailering package, AWD, and V6 engine. Controls were simple and handy, with features like movable rings around the front air vents and a Chevy logo projected on the ground for the hands-free power tailgate.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with the SYNC 3 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto integration. The system was easy to use, with a row of icons at the bottom and a helpful home button. Optional features included a voice-activated navigation system with SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link, a semi-digital instrument panel, and a dual rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Chevrolet Infotainment 3, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The RS trim with the Driver Confidence II package added wireless phone charging, a rear camera washer, LED headlights, 360 cameras, adaptive cruise control, and the Safety Alert Seat. The "Plus" version of the infotainment system included navigation, 4G WiFi, onboard apps, and better voice recognition. The system also offered unique features like uploading settings to a GM cloud account and contactless payments through the Marketplace app.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with front and side-impact airbags, AdvanceTrac traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Ford Co-Pilot360 safety system 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, 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 Chevrolet Blazer received an overall five-star rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS in all crash tests. However, it received "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings for headlights. The Blazer included a driver's knee airbag and enhanced forward emergency braking on top trims with the Driver Confidence II package.