2021 Jeep Wrangler 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 crossover version of the Fusion's look, with angular headlights and a large trapezoidal grille. Inside, the layout remained largely unchanged since 2015, with some updates in 2019. The cabin quality was decent, featuring soft-touch materials and solid fit-and-finish, but the heavy use of hard plastics detracted from the overall feel. The Edge was available in SE, SEL, Titanium, and ST trims, each offering a range of features from basic amenities to advanced technology and performance enhancements.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic styling, recognizable by its circular headlights, seven-slat grille, and exposed bolts and hinges. Depending on the trim level, the Wrangler could have different looks, such as painted or exposed fenders and various top options. The Wrangler's interior was functional but not as comfortable as car-based SUVs. The seats were upright with limited legroom, adjusted using ripcords, which some drivers found charming. The Wrangler Unlimited came in Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon trims, with special editions like Willys, 80th Anniversary, Freedom, Islander, and High Altitude. Each trim offered varying levels of features, from basic manual adjustments to near-luxury amenities.

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, suitable for city driving, but struggled at higher speeds. The Edge's suspension was designed for American roads, absorbing potholes and road imperfections while remaining refined and engaging. The sporty Edge ST variant featured a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. The ST had a bit of turbo lag at low speeds but offered plenty of power at higher revs. It handled like a smaller car, with heavy steering and excellent cornering. A Sport mode enhanced the driving experience, and an optional ST Performance Brake Package included unique wheels, summer performance tires, and upgraded brakes.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a diverse powertrain lineup, including gas, diesel, mild-hybrid, and a Hemi V8. The standard 3.6-liter V6 engine produced 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Other powertrains included a mild-hybrid eTorque variant of the V6, a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. All engines routed power to one of three 4WD systems: Command-Trac, Select-Trac, or Rock-Trac, depending on the trim. The Rubicon 392 featured a 6.4-liter V8 engine, producing 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, turning the Wrangler into an off-road supercar. The 392 also had beefed-up frame-rails, a 2-inch lift with Fox shock absorbers, and upgraded brakes, along with a dual-mode performance exhaust.

The 2020 Ford Edge excelled in cabin layout, offering a commanding view of the road without being overly upright. The seats were surrounded by numerous cubbies and compartments, designed for commuting or road trips. The second-row head- and legroom were ample, ensuring comfort without needing to move the front seats. The Edge provided 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This was more than the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Nissan Murano but slightly less than the Honda Passport. The SEL and Titanium trims featured a hands-free foot-activated power rear liftgate.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered various top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top, a premium black cloth soft top, and a classic-looking tan soft top. The Freedom top was a three-piece hardtop with removable panels, available in black or body color, with optional insulated panels. The Rubicon 392 featured the Sky one-touch power top, a power-retractable canvas panel that operated at speeds up to 60 mph. The Wrangler's cabin was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and in-door cargo nets. It also had drain plugs for easy cleaning. The Wrangler Unlimited provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, though the wheel-wells and roll-bars made fitting larger items challenging.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen. SYNC 3 was user-friendly, with a row of icons at the bottom for easy navigation and a home button for quick access. It included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, allowing users to use their preferred maps app. A voice-activated navigation system was optional on the SEL and ST trims and standard on the Titanium, including SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link with real-time updates. The Edge also had two smart-charging USB ports and an optional dual rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport featured a basic 5-inch screen for radio and vehicle settings. The 7-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was optional on the Sport S and standard on other trims. The sharp 8.4-inch Uconnect screen was also available, offering crisp graphics and intuitive layouts. The Rubicon 392 had a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and a clever off-road camera nestled between the front grille slats, providing a clear view of the trail ahead.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a full array of front and side-impact airbags, AdvanceTrac traction control with Roll Stability Control and Curve Control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and a child seat anchoring system. The Ford Co-Pilot360 safety system was standard on all trims, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. 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 Jeep Wrangler offered optional modern driver-assistance features, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring. However, lane-departure warning was not available. The Wrangler came with a backup camera with dynamic guidelines and a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading. The Wrangler's safety features were basic, especially in the base configuration.