2021 Jeep Cherokee vs 2020 Ford Edge

The 2020 Ford Edge was a mid-sized crossover SUV that carried design influences from its sedan cousin, the Ford Fusion. Introduced in 2006, the Edge was designed to offer a car-like ride along with the capacity and high driving position of an SUV. The second generation arrived in 2015 and was refreshed in 2019, with the new look carrying over into 2020. This update introduced angular headlights and a large, trapezoidal grille, maintaining a fresh yet familiar aesthetic. Despite these efforts, the interior showed signs of aging, with small, awkwardly arranged climate and radio controls, albeit featuring contemporary elements like a rotary shifter. The cabin quality was acceptable, but the heavy use of hard plastics detracted from the otherwise soft-touch materials and solid fit-and-finish.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Cherokee saw a more controversial entry with its exterior design. Initially met with skepticism due to its short grille and swept-back headlights, opinions softened over time, and the Cherokee began to stand out in a crowded market. The Cherokee benefited from a variety of trim-specific visual updates. For instance, while the base Latitude with 17-inch wheels and FWD didn’t stand out, higher trims like the 80th Anniversary Edition featured 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels and painted lower body cladding, making it significantly more attractive. Jeep’s attention to the roof configuration with an optional panoramic sunroof across the entire surface added to the upscale feel. Overall, the Cherokee offered a distinctive look that made it easily recognizable in a sea of crossovers.

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 was mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, driving either the front wheels or all wheels, and excelled in low-speed acceleration suitable for city driving. However, it struggled slightly at higher speeds. Tailored for American roads, the Edge’s suspension successfully balanced comfort and refinement.

The sportier Ford Edge ST took performance a notch higher with a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6, churning out 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. This model boasted standard AWD, and its acceleration characteristics were reversed, with some turbo lag at low speeds but plenty of power at higher revs. It handled more like a smaller vehicle, especially in Sport mode, which enhanced throttle response and transmission mapping, alongside displaying performance information on the instrument panel.

Jeep offered the 2021 Cherokee with three engine choices. The entry-level Latitude and Latitude Plus featured a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower. The more substantial 3.2-liter V6 on higher trims significantly bumped output to 271 horsepower. The top-shelf engine, a 2.0-liter GMET4 turbocharged four-cylinder, delivered 270 horsepower and an impressive 295 pound-feet of torque. Although not designed for outstanding acceleration, the Cherokee managed 0-60 mph in about 7.2 to 7.4 seconds, depending on the engine. The nine-speed automatic transmission provided improved longevity and behavior, aided by Jeep’s advanced off-road capabilities, especially on the Trailhawk model with its Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control.

The 2020 Ford Edge excelled in cabin space and layout, offering a commanding view of the road without sacrificing comfort. The interior included ample cubbies and deep compartments, ideal for commutes and road trips. Second-row passengers enjoyed generous head- and legroom, maintaining comfort without compromising front-seat space. While the Edge did not offer a third-row seating option, its two-row configuration provided up to 73.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, making it one of the more spacious options in its class. SEL and Titanium trims further enhanced utility with a hands-free, foot-activated power rear liftgate.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee fit squarely between the smaller Renegade and the larger Grand Cherokee in Jeep’s lineup, competing with compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. In terms of utility, however, the Cherokee fell short. With 26 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 55 cubic feet with the seats folded, it ranked lower among compact SUVs. The 102 cubic feet of passenger volume was competitive but not exceptional. Depending on the trim level, the interior experience varied, from rubberized black plastic in the Latitude to upscale materials like suede inserts in the Trailhawk and perforated Nappa leather in the Latitude Lux.

Ford equipped the 2020 Edge with impressive standard technology across all trims, starting with the SYNC 3 infotainment system and its user-friendly 8-inch touchscreen. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and two smart-charging USB ports. Voice-activated navigation with real-time traffic updates was available, and a semi-digital instrument panel was standard on higher trims. Optional features included a dual rear-seat entertainment system with screens in the front headrests.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee benefited from the Stellantis brand’s Uconnect infotainment system, available with two screen sizes depending on the trim: a 7-inch touchscreen for the Latitude models and an 8.4-inch touchscreen for the Limited and Trailhawk models. The system offered car users intuitive controls, including both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Amazon Alexa integration. The Cherokee distinguished itself with easy-access climate controls and a feature-rich infotainment system familiar across other Stellantis vehicles, bringing consistency and reliability to users. Remote start was another practical feature available in the Cherokee, valuable in both hot and cold climates.

The 2020 Ford Edge came well-prepared with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front and side-impact airbags, traction control systems, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Its standout safety offering was the standard Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, which included automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The higher trims offered the CoPilot360 Assist+ package, adding advanced features such as adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and active lane centering. The Edge earned high safety accolades, receiving a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee, although equipped with numerous standard advanced safety features, did not achieve the same accolades. The Cherokee’s standard safety suite included lane departure warning, full-speed forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. It received top “Good” scores in IIHS crashworthiness categories but fell short in headlights ratings, receiving “Acceptable” and “Marginal” scores depending on the trim. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating, with a minor demerit for front driver side crash protection. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go was available only on the top trims, reducing its accessibility.