2020 Jeep Compass vs 2021 Ford Edge

The 2020 Jeep Compass was a handsome SUV, reflecting the refined side of the Jeep brand, much like the Grand Cherokee. It came in four core trim levels: Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk, with various packages and special edition trim upgrades available. Prices started at $22,280 for a Compass Sport with front-wheel drive (FWD) and a six-speed manual transmission, while the High Altitude upgrade for the Compass Limited with all-wheel drive (AWD) was priced from $32,645. Our test vehicle, a 2020 Compass Limited with AWD, was loaded with nearly every option package, bringing the total to $39,755, including the destination charge.

Despite its upscale features, the Compass had its drawbacks. While it offered soft-touch surfaces, premium leather, and sophisticated technology, it also had low-rent glossy plastic pieces and flimsy-feeling parts that detracted from its overall appeal. However, compared to the original Compass, the 2020 model was a significant improvement, offering a more refined and attractive option in the small SUV segment.

The 2021 Ford Edge maintained a consistent styling since its 2019 refresh, which successfully integrated the current Ford look with the existing Edge body shell. The Edge was a cleaner-looking alternative to the more aggressively styled Chevy Blazer and Hyundai Santa Fe. The Edge Titanium models featured extra chrome for a higher-level status, while the Edge ST trim had a blacked-out grille, standard 20-inch wheels, and a body kit. The Edge ST-Line offered the same exterior styling as the ST but without the performance upgrades and higher price tag.

Inside, the Edge's design showed its age, with awkward tweaks to accommodate new features like a larger touchscreen. Titanium models had leather upholstery, while ST models boasted sporty front seats with added bolstering and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with contrast stitching. Despite its dated interior, the Edge remained a competitive option in the midsize crossover segment.

The 2020 Jeep Compass was powered by a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, known as the Tigershark, producing 180 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 175 pound-feet of torque at 3,900 rpm. However, the engine was loud, slow, and thirsty, with sluggish acceleration and nearly non-existent passing power. The test vehicle averaged 23.1 mpg, falling short of the EPA fuel economy rating of 25 mpg in combined driving. The nine-speed automatic transmission often shifted harshly or resisted downshifts, and the automatic engine stop/start system could make the air conditioning swampy on warm days.

On the road, the Compass's suspension controlled body roll but allowed too much vertical motion and impact harshness. The steering was heavy and vague, and the brake pedal was sensitive until acclimated. Despite these drawbacks, the Compass excelled in off-road conditions, especially in Trailhawk trim with added ground clearance, an Active Drive Low AWD system, and a Rock driving mode. The Compass Limited test vehicle had a simpler AWD system with a 50:50 Lock mode and the Selec-Terrain traction system, which handled a moderately difficult trail without issues.

The 2021 Ford Edge offered a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Edge was available with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The Edge ST performance model featured an EcoBoost twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6, producing 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque on 93-octane fuel, with standard AWD, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and model-specific suspension tuning. An option package added upgraded brakes and 21-inch wheels with summer tires.

The Edge ST aimed to compete with performance SUVs like the Porsche Macan, though the comparison was a stretch. The Edge ST was a decent car to drive, especially considering its competitors did not emphasize performance. The Edge was impressively refined for a vehicle based on an aging platform, though the turbo-four engine in non-ST models could be sluggish. Ford quoted maximum towing capacities of 3,958 pounds for the base FWD four-cylinder Edge, 4,122 pounds for four-cylinder AWD models, and 4,525 pounds for the V6-powered Edge ST, though competitors like the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered higher towing capacities.

The 2020 Jeep Compass test vehicle featured the new-for-2020 Luxury Seat Group, adding premium leather, ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, and a memory function for the driver's settings. This upgrade enhanced comfort for both the driver and passengers. The Compass's back seat was roomy, with air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and a 115-volt power outlet for rear passengers. Cargo space was 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 59.8 cubic feet with the back seat folded down, surpassing the Jeep Renegade and Cherokee in volume. However, the optional spare tire and Alpine subwoofer housing took up some luggage room, and the cabin had limited storage space and awkwardly positioned cupholders.

The 2021 Ford Edge remained competitive on interior space, offering the most rear-seat headroom among two-row midsize crossovers and ample legroom in both rows. Dual-zone automatic climate control was standard. Cargo space was 39.2 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, trailing only the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. Higher trim levels featured a foot-activated power liftgate. The Edge's rotary shift knob freed up space on the center console, but the narrow console width limited the available space. The raised console provided a storage nook below, but its out-of-the-way location made it difficult to reach and easy to forget items placed there.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered an excellent Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and 4G LTE WiFi connectivity. It also supported SiriusXM Guardian connected services, including emergency calling, a vehicle finder, remote engine starting, and more. The test vehicle had a navigation system and an Alpine premium audio system. Uconnect was intuitive and featured appealing graphics, though some features were embedded in menus that should have been more accessible. The voice recognition system worked well with natural speech, though navigation required specific prompts. Overall, Uconnect impressed for the segment.

The 2021 Ford Edge featured the latest Sync 4 infotainment system with standard wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and a 12-inch touchscreen. Bluetooth, SiriusXM with 360L satellite radio, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot were standard. Edge ST models had a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Edge had four USB ports, including two rear USB ports added for the 2021 model year. Sync 4's simple graphics and straightforward menu layouts were user-friendly, and the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity were notable advantages over competitors.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered a commendable array of safety features, extending driving assistance and collision avoidance technology to the base Sport trim level. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic warning. These systems performed to average expectations, with some overreactions and insistent corrective actions. The Compass earned Good ratings in most IIHS crash tests, except for headlight performance. NHTSA ratings were mixed, with three-star, four-star, and five-star ratings.

The 2021 Ford Edge was an IIHS "Top Safety Pick," scoring top ratings in all crash tests and front crash prevention tech in vehicle-to-vehicle situations. It received lower ratings for vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention tech, LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use, and headlight performance. NHTSA gave the Edge a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover crash tests. The Edge's standard safety features under the Ford Co-Pilot360 banner included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, post-collision braking, dynamic brake support, and rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control and Evasive Steering Assist were standard on all but the base Edge SE trim level.