2021 Subaru Outback 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 Edge showed its age with a layout unchanged since 2015, featuring small, awkwardly arranged climate and radio controls. The rotary shifter was a contemporary design cue, solving some space issues. The cabin quality was decent, with 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 included 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 added LED fog lights, heated side mirrors, and synthetic leather upholstery. The Titanium trim featured 19-inch wheels, genuine leather upholstery, and a B&O by Bang & Olufsen 12-speaker sound system. The ST was the performance variant, with a more powerful engine, standard AWD, and sportier styling.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for 2020, retained a familiar and comfortable feel. The interior was fresher than the smaller Crosstrek, with an 11.6-inch portrait display standard on Premium and above trims. This display was bright, sharp, and surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim. Quality was evident, with substantial window switches, dash padding, and surface materials. The Onyx Edition XT featured gray and black StarTex upholstery with lime green contrast stitching, adding a touch of wildness to the otherwise conservative design.

Externally, the Outback wore gray cladding on its wheel arches, sills, and bumpers, with smooth and plain styling. Changes for 2021 included a new brown paint option and standard adaptive LED headlights. The Outback’s lifted wagon design made it a great alternative to typical crossovers or SUVs, offering a balance of style and functionality.

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 with ease while maintaining a refined and engaging drive.

The sporty Edge ST featured a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with standard AWD, offered impressive acceleration and handling. The ST’s heavy steering and fantastic cornering made it feel like a smaller car. A Sport mode enhanced throttle response and transmission mapping, while an available ST Performance Brake Package included unique wheels, summer performance tires, and upgraded brakes.

The 2021 Subaru Outback’s base 2.5-liter flat-four engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, struggled with the vehicle’s weight, making it slow and noisy. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) further hampered performance. The XT trim, with a 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four engine, offered a significant improvement, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This engine was quieter, smoother, and more powerful, making the Outback more capable of keeping up with traffic.

The Outback’s handling was squishy, with imprecise steering, but it excelled as a long-distance cruiser. Its ride comfort and tranquil behavior were fantastic, thanks to long-travel springs and 8.7 inches of ground clearance. Subaru’s electronically-variable AWD system provided excellent off-road capability, with X-Mode optimizing performance for tougher conditions. The Onyx Edition added two more driving modes for snow and mud, making the Outback more proficient off-road than many competitors.

The 2020 Ford Edge offered a commanding view of the road, with seats surrounded by plenty of cubbies and compartments. The second-row head- and legroom were plentiful, providing 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, though slightly less than the Honda Passport. The SEL and Titanium trims featured a hands-free foot-activated power rear liftgate.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, with its high ground clearance, could go anywhere larger vehicles could, without the drawbacks of being oversized. It offered 76 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. The cargo area was wide, flat, and free of intrusive wheel arches. Headroom and legroom were ample, and outward visibility was superb. Storage options included large map pockets, bottle holders, and handy pockets in the front center console.

However, push-button start and rear climate vents were standard only on Limited and above trims, with push-button start optional on the Premium. The Outback’s moonroof was bundled with other expensive options. A power driver’s seat, dual-zone climate, and rear USB ports were standard on Premium and above, with a hands-free power tailgate optional on Premium and standard on higher trims. The Onyx Edition XT featured a full-size spare alloy wheel and tire, while other trims had a steel wheel on a doughnut. The standard roof rails with integrated crossbars were a standout feature, offering convenience and cost savings.

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 row of icons at the bottom and a helpful home button. Optional voice-activated navigation included SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link with real-time updates. The Edge also came with two smart-charging USB ports and an available semi-digital instrument panel. An optional dual rear-seat entertainment system was available on all trims.

The 2021 Subaru Outback’s infotainment system looked dated, with graphics and typefaces reminiscent of older gaming consoles. The central screen in the instrument panel was even worse. Despite this, the system included modern tech like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. However, the system relied solely on forward-looking cameras, which could be impeded in certain conditions.

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, standard on all trims, 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, 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 Subaru Outback featured a stronger and stiffer chassis, with a driver’s knee airbag and passenger seat-cushion airbag standard. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were optional on Premium and standard on higher trims. Rear emergency braking and a driver-attention monitor were available on specific trims. The Outback was a 2020 IIHS "Top Safety Pick+," earning top ratings in all crash tests and for headlights. The NHTSA awarded the Outback an overall five-star rating, with four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and four stars for the rollover test.