2020 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Ford Edge

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler was a distinctive presence on the road, characterized by its circular headlights, seven-slat grille, and boxy design. Its industrial look was further accentuated by exposed hinges and bolts, and the option to fold down the windshield and remove the doors. The removable top added to its rugged persona, making it more of a "recreational utility vehicle" than a typical commuter car. Inside, the Wrangler embraced a retro aesthetic with circular climate vents and gauges, focusing on utility with a touch of style. The trims ranged from the basic Sport with manual windows and locks to the upscale Sahara and the off-road king, Rubicon, each offering varying levels of comfort and capability.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Edge maintained a cleaner, more modern look since its 2019 refresh, aligning with Ford's contemporary design language. The Edge Titanium featured chrome accents, while the ST trim boasted a blacked-out grille and sporty body kit. Inside, the Edge's design showed signs of aging, with a layout that had been adjusted over time to fit new features like a larger touchscreen. The Titanium offered leather upholstery, and the ST provided sporty seats with contrast stitching, aiming to balance comfort with a hint of performance flair.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler offered a range of engines, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 producing 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with a standard 6-speed manual or an optional 8-speed automatic transmission. A turbocharged 4-cylinder engine was also available, delivering 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The standout was the new 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel, generating 260 hp and an impressive 442 lb-ft of torque, making it ideal for off-road adventures. Despite its on-road shortcomings, such as road noise and a rough ride, the Wrangler excelled off-road with features like locking differentials and a disconnecting front sway bar. Fuel economy for the diesel engine was 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined, offering a marked improvement over the gas-powered versions.

The 2021 Ford Edge primarily utilized 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 ST performance model featured a twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6, delivering 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, with standard AWD and model-specific suspension tuning. While the Edge ST aimed to compete with performance SUVs, it fell short of the Porsche Macan benchmark. The Edge offered respectable towing capacities, with the V6-powered ST capable of towing up to 4,525 pounds, though it lagged behind competitors like the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, a four-door variant, was a sales success for Jeep, offering the iconic removable doors and foldable windshield. The most popular feature was its droppable and removable roof, available in soft and hardtop options. The Wrangler Unlimited provided about 72 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear bench lowered, less than other SUVs like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Despite sacrificing comfort and cargo space, the Wrangler's unique features and off-road capabilities set it apart.

The 2021 Ford Edge remained competitive in interior space, offering the most rear-seat headroom among two-row midsize crossovers and ample legroom. Cargo space was generous, with 39.2 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 73.4 cubic feet with them folded. A foot-activated power liftgate was available on higher trims. The Edge's rotary shift knob aimed to free up console space, though the narrow console limited its effectiveness. Despite these limitations, the Edge provided a practical and comfortable interior for passengers and cargo.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler's Sport and Sport S trims featured a basic 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The Rubicon and Sahara offered a 7-inch touchscreen with Uconnect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with an optional 8.4-inch system adding navigation, HD Radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The premium Alpine audio system provided excellent sound quality, even at highway speeds.

The 2021 Ford Edge was equipped with Ford's latest Sync 4 infotainment system, featuring a 12-inch touchscreen and standard wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Bluetooth, SiriusXM with 360L satellite radio, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot were standard. The Edge ST included a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Edge's tech offerings were user-friendly, with simple graphics and straightforward menus, making it easy for new users to navigate.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler came with standard safety features like airbags, electronic roll mitigation, and a backup camera. Optional safety packages included rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path detection, as well as adaptive cruise control and full-speed forward-collision warning.

The 2021 Ford Edge was an IIHS "Top Safety Pick," scoring top ratings in crash tests and front crash prevention tech. It received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Standard safety features under Ford Co-Pilot360 included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and forward-collision warning. Adaptive cruise control and Evasive Steering Assist were available on all but the base trim.