2021 Kia Sportage vs 2020 Ford Edge

The 2020 Ford Edge, first introduced in 2006, was based on the same platform as the Ford Fusion sedan, 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. The SE trim came with a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, satellite radio, WiFi hotspot, and Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The SEL trim added features like LED fog lights, heated side mirrors, and synthetic leather upholstery. The Titanium trim offered 19-inch wheels, genuine leather upholstery, and a B&O by Bang & Olufsen 12-speaker premium sound system. The ST trim, the performance variant, included a more powerful engine, standard AWD, and sportier styling.

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured a design described by Kia as “Euro-focused,” with a tiger-nose grille and bulbous headlights. The two-row crossover SUV had a short wheelbase and overhangs, making it ideal for city driving. The headlights carried over from 2020, and the Sportage could be equipped with 17-, 18-, or 19-inch wheels. Inside, an 8-inch touchscreen display served as the centerpiece, flanked by air vents, with physical buttons and knobs for tuning and volume below the screen. The cabin, while not the most tech-forward, was still pleasant.

The Sportage’s interior offered good space for the driver and passengers, with the SX Turbo trim providing a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and 8-way power adjustment for the passenger. Heated and ventilated seats were also included on the top-tier SX Turbo. However, cargo space was limited, with 30.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 60.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded, which was less competitive compared to other compact 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. Power was routed to the front wheels or available AWD through an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine provided solid low-end acceleration, suitable for city driving, though it struggled at higher speeds. The Edge ST, the performance 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 at higher revs, with heavy steering and excellent cornering.

The 2021 Kia Sportage was available in LX, EX, or SX Turbo trims, with either FWD or AWD. The LX and EX trims were powered by a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The SX Turbo trim featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine, making 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. All Sportages had a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy for the FWD Sportages with the 2.4-liter engine was 23 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined, while AWD models had slightly lower figures. The Sportage’s suspension provided a smooth ride, though the steering and tire grip left something to be desired. The SX Turbo trim offered a more rewarding driving experience.

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 plentiful, and 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, though slightly less than the Honda Passport. The SEL and Titanium trims included a hands-free foot-activated power rear liftgate.

The 2021 Kia Sportage, while on the smaller side of the compact crossover segment, offered good interior space for the driver and passengers. The SX Turbo trim featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and 8-way power adjustment for the passenger, with heated and ventilated seats. However, cargo space was limited, with 30.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 60.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded, which was less competitive compared to other compact crossovers.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen. SYNC 3 included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, making navigation optional. The system was user-friendly, with a row of icons at the bottom and a home button in the upper left-hand corner. The Edge also came with two smart-charging USB ports and an optional dual rear-seat entertainment system. A semi-digital instrument panel was available on the SEL and ST trims and standard on the Titanium.

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured an 8-inch touchscreen interface managing Kia’s infotainment system, with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB ports as standard equipment. Most trims also included Kia’s UVO Link connected services. The SX Turbo trims offered wireless charging and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. The technology was easy to use, with logical menus, physical buttons, and handy knobs.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a full array of front and side-impact airbags, AdvanceTrac traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Ford Co-Pilot360 safety system was standard on all trims, including 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 Kia Sportage included a comprehensive list of standard advanced driver assistance systems, such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a driver-monitoring system. The SX Turbo trim added adaptive cruise control. The Sportage received Top Safety Pick status from the IIHS for the SX Turbo trims and performed well in NHTSA crash tests.