2021 Land Rover Range Rover 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 2015, the second generation arrived, with a styling update in 2019 that carried over to 2020. Despite its fresh look, the Edge's design lagged behind competitors like Honda and Toyota, who frequently updated their models. The Edge's exterior featured angular headlights and a trapezoidal grille, while the interior showed signs of aging with awkwardly arranged controls. The cabin quality was decent, with soft-touch materials, but was marred by hard plastics. The Edge was available in SE, SEL, Titanium, and ST trims, each offering various features, from power-adjustable seats and infotainment systems to performance enhancements in the ST variant.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover, once a rugged tool, had evolved into a luxury SUV with a starting price of $92,000. The HSE Westminster special edition, priced at $106,715, featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine. Despite its age, the Range Rover maintained a timeless look with hallmark design cues. Inside, it exuded luxury with an Ivory-color interior and mid-century modern ambiance. However, the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was less intuitive than newer models. The Range Rover's design drew from its past, much like a Porsche 911, offering a blend of modernity and heritage.

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 offered front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Edge provided solid low-end acceleration, though it struggled at higher speeds. The sporty 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 offered a more engaging driving experience, with heavy steering and excellent cornering. A Sport mode enhanced throttle response and transmission mapping, while an ST Performance Brake Package was available for added performance.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered various powertrains, including turbodiesel V6, supercharged V8, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options. The HSE Westminster edition featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It came with a flawless eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case. The Range Rover excelled off-road, with Terrain Response 2 traction control and multiple modes. On-road, it provided a smooth, quiet ride, though its steering was slow and syrupy. The adaptive air suspension managed road harshness, but the SUV's weight and tall center of gravity affected handling. The EPA rated the Range Rover at 20 mpg combined, with our test averaging 18.5 mpg.

The 2020 Ford Edge boasted a spacious cabin with a commanding view of the road. It offered ample second-row head- and legroom, though it lacked a third row. The Edge provided 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This was more than a Jeep Grand Cherokee and Nissan Murano, but slightly less than a Honda Passport. The SEL and Titanium trims featured a hands-free foot-activated power rear liftgate.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover's air suspension included a kneel mode for easier entry and exit. The front seats were decadently comfortable, but the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability. Despite this, the back seat offered quad-zone climate control and heated and ventilated seats. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments and a tiny refrigerated center-console bin. The Range Rover provided 25 cubic feet of luggage space, expandable to 59.8 cubic feet. A button in the cargo area activated the suspension kneel function for easier loading.

The 2020 Ford Edge featured the SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto integration. The system was user-friendly, with a helpful home button and easy navigation. A voice-activated navigation system was optional on the SEL and ST trims and standard on the Titanium. The Edge also offered a semi-digital instrument panel and an optional dual rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover's technology included three digital displays, with the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system. While not entirely intuitive, it was manageable for those familiar with smartphones and tablets. The system required setup to avoid distractions while driving. The Range Rover also featured a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for digital owner’s manual access.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with front and side-impact airbags, AdvanceTrac traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Ford Co-Pilot360 safety system included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, 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 Land Rover Range Rover included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and parking sensors. Optional packages added features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, though the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond. Overall, the safety features were effective and accurate.