2021 Kia Sorento 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 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 luxury touches and performance enhancements.

In contrast, the 2021 Kia Sorento represented a significant design leap from its predecessor, shedding its bubbly design for a more athletic and muscular silhouette. The SX Prestige trim with the X-Line package added roof rails and a shark fin antenna, enhancing its rugged look. The front featured an expansive tiger-nose grille and squinting headlights, while the rear showcased stylish vertical taillights. Inside, the Sorento was packed with high-value features, including heated outside mirrors, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and keyless entry. The upper trims offered more luxurious touches like leatherette or real leather upholstery and advanced driver’s seat adjustments.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided solid low-end acceleration, making it 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 lb-ft of torque, with standard AWD. The ST offered a more engaging driving experience with heavy steering and excellent cornering, enhanced by a Sport mode that improved throttle response and transmission mapping.

The 2021 Kia Sorento offered a range of powertrains, including a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The latter, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and AWD, provided impressive performance, making highway driving and merging effortless. The Sorento also featured a hybrid version with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and electric motor. The AWD system with torque vectoring and a center-locking differential, along with various drive modes, ensured a smooth and comfortable ride, even with the larger 20-inch wheels.

The 2020 Ford Edge excelled in cabin layout, offering a commanding view of the road and ample storage compartments. The second-row seats provided generous head- and legroom, ensuring comfort without needing to adjust the front seats. The Edge offered 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, surpassing some competitors. The SEL and Titanium trims included a hands-free foot-activated power rear liftgate for added convenience.

The 2021 Kia Sorento, while a three-row SUV, was best considered a four-seater in its top trims due to the tight third-row space. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable, and both front and rear seats offered ample legroom. Cargo space behind the third row was limited to 12.6 cubic feet, but folding the seats expanded the total cargo volume to 75.5 cubic feet. The Sorento provided practical storage solutions, including a wireless charging spot, cupholders, and door pockets, though the overall cargo space was more in line with compact crossovers.

The 2020 Ford Edge featured the SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a user-friendly interface. The system included a helpful home button and easy navigation through menus. Optional features included a voice-activated navigation system with real-time traffic updates and a semi-digital instrument panel. The Edge also offered a dual rear-seat entertainment system for added convenience.

The 2021 Kia Sorento came with an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 10.25-inch screen on higher trims. The larger screen, while visually appealing, required a physical connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and part of the screen was underutilized. The Sorento included plenty of USB ports and an optional Bose stereo, though the audio quality was just average. The navigation system needed improvement, but most drivers would likely rely on smartphone integration for navigation.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Ford Co-Pilot360 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 with 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 Kia Sorento also boasted a robust array of standard safety features, such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and auto high beams. The test car included a surround-view camera and adaptive cruise control, which worked smoothly. The Sorento received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" designation from the IIHS, with the upper trims' LED headlights receiving top marks.