2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee 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 spacious cabin. By 2019, the Edge received a styling update, maintaining its angular headlights and trapezoidal grille, reminiscent of the Fusion. However, the interior showed signs of aging, with awkwardly arranged controls and a rotary shifter. Despite the use of soft-touch materials, the heavy presence of hard plastics detracted from the overall cabin quality. The Edge was available in SE, SEL, Titanium, and ST trims, each offering a range of features from the SYNC 3 infotainment system to advanced driver assistance under the Ford Co-Pilot360 banner.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, a fourth-generation model, retained its timeless design, combining rugged utility with upscale sophistication. Its lineup ranged from the affordable Laredo and Limited trims to the luxurious Overland and Summit, and performance-oriented SRT and Trackhawk models. The Summit trim, equipped with a 5.7-liter V8 engine and 4WD, featured premium leather, genuine wood, and aluminum interior accents. Despite its appealing design, the interior showed its age with outdated switchgear and non-flush panel fits. The Grand Cherokee's pricing spanned from $35,000 to nearly $90,000, with the Summit trim offering a more premium look through the Platinum Series Group.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered solid low-end acceleration, suitable for city driving, though it struggled at higher speeds. The 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 provided a more engaging driving experience, with heavy steering and excellent cornering capabilities, enhanced by a Sport mode and available ST Performance Brake Package.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine, generating 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It could tow up to 6,200 pounds. An optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine, with 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, provided a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,200 pounds. The V8 featured cylinder deactivation technology, though fuel economy remained low. The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system and Quadra-Lift air suspension enhanced its off-road capabilities, while its tight turning radius and effective brakes made it versatile for both city and off-road driving.

The 2020 Ford Edge offered a spacious cabin with a commanding view of the road. Its seats were surrounded by ample storage compartments, designed for comfort during commutes or road trips. The second-row provided generous head- and legroom, and the Edge boasted 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This surpassed the cargo space of the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Nissan Murano, though slightly less than the Honda Passport. The SEL and Titanium trims featured a hands-free foot-activated power rear liftgate.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured supportive front seats with eight-way power adjustment, heated and ventilated, controlled through the Uconnect infotainment system. The rear seat offered comfort but limited legroom for taller adults. The optional rear-seat entertainment system added to a sense of claustrophobia, though large windows and a panoramic sunroof helped alleviate this. The Grand Cherokee provided 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space, with a recessed bin and storage around the spare tire. Folding the second-row seats was easy, expanding cargo space to 68.3 cubic feet.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with the SYNC 3 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with easy-to-use navigation and integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included a voice-activated navigation option and SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link services. The Edge also offered two smart-charging USB ports and a semi-digital instrument panel on higher trims. An optional dual rear-seat entertainment system was available.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav system, offering a user-friendly experience with fast response and pleasing graphics. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system also supported Amazon Alexa integration. The Grand Cherokee came with SiriusXM services, including satellite radio and Guardian services for remote access and emergency assistance. The Summit trim boasted a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, providing excellent sound quality.

The 2020 Ford Edge included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as front and side-impact airbags, AdvanceTrac traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Ford Co-Pilot360 system offered automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The SEL trim allowed for an upgrade to Co-Pilot360 Assist+, 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 Jeep Grand Cherokee's safety ratings were a concern, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models, but lower ratings from the IIHS in small-overlap frontal-impact tests. The Summit trim included the ProTech II Package, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assistance. The Grand Cherokee also featured a backup camera, parking sensors, and ParkSense parking assistance.