2020 INFINITI QX80 vs 2021 Ford Edge

The 2020 INFINITI QX80, as the flagship SUV in Infiniti’s lineup, was notably larger than its siblings, the QX50 and QX60. For this model year, it was available in two trims: Luxe and Limited. The QX80's exterior, refreshed in 2018, boasted a commanding presence with modern features such as welcome lights, power-folding mirrors with LED turn signals, and adaptive front lighting. The SUV was equipped with LED headlights and taillights, and its upscale cabin featured soft-touch materials, though some trim pieces fell short compared to competitors. The infotainment system was updated to a more modern display, but the center stack's piano-black plastic was prone to fingerprints.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Edge maintained its styling from the 2019 refresh, which successfully integrated Ford's current design language with the existing Edge body. The Edge offered a cleaner look compared to rivals like the Chevy Blazer. The Titanium trim featured chrome accents, while the ST trim had a blacked-out grille and sporty body kit. Inside, the Edge's design showed its age, with awkward tweaks to accommodate new features like a larger touchscreen. The Titanium model included leather upholstery, and the ST model had sporty seats with contrast stitching. Despite its aging platform, the Edge remained a refined choice in its segment.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a 5.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. While the powertrain managed the SUV's weight well, the transmission was less smooth when downshifting. The QX80's fuel efficiency was a drawback, with the RWD model achieving 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway, and the 4WD model slightly lower. The QX80 offered Normal, Snow, and Mud drive modes, and its optional Hydraulic Body Motion Control system enhanced stability. It had a towing capacity of 8,500 pounds and featured a rear auto-leveling suspension for a smooth ride.

The 2021 Ford Edge primarily used a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Edge ST model featured a 2.7-liter V6 engine with 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, standard AWD, and model-specific suspension tuning. The Edge's towing capacity varied, with the base FWD model towing up to 3,958 pounds and the V6-powered ST model up to 4,525 pounds. While the Edge ST aimed to compete with performance SUVs, it was more refined than its competitors, though the non-ST models' turbo-four engine felt sluggish.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 offered plush seating in the first two rows, with tighter third-row seating best suited for children. It accommodated seven passengers with standard captain’s chairs in the second row, and a 60/40 split-folding bench was available. The QX80 featured leather-appointed seats with options for semi-aniline leather and Alcantara upholstery. The driver’s seat was 10-way power-adjustable, and the passenger’s seat was eight-way adjustable. The SUV provided 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 95.1 cubic feet with seats folded.

The 2021 Ford Edge excelled in interior space, offering the most rear-seat headroom among midsize crossovers. It provided ample legroom in both rows, second only to the Hyundai Santa Fe. Cargo space was competitive, with 39.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 73.4 cubic feet with seats folded. The Edge featured a foot-activated power liftgate on higher trims. The center console's rotary shift knob aimed to free up space, but the console's narrow width limited its effectiveness.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 came with an 8-inch upper and 7-inch lower infotainment touch screen, supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and navigation. Standard features included satellite radio, Bluetooth, keyless entry, remote start, and a 13-speaker Bose stereo. Buyers could upgrade to a rear-seat entertainment system and a 17-speaker Bose system. The infotainment system was functional but not particularly modern.

The 2021 Ford Edge featured Ford’s Sync 4 infotainment system with a 12-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The Edge ST included a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Edge had four USB ports, including a USB-C port for rear passengers. Sync 4's simple graphics and menu layouts were user-friendly, and the Edge stood out for offering wireless connectivity options.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80, despite being an older model, offered a solid array of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera system. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The QX80 received "good" scores in some IIHS crash tests and had a moderate rollover risk according to NHTSA.

The 2021 Ford Edge was an IIHS “Top Safety Pick,” with top ratings in crash tests and front crash prevention tech. It received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. The Edge included standard safety features like blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. Adaptive cruise control and Evasive Steering Assist were available on higher trims.