2021 Ford Edge vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE presented a smoother and less sculpted design compared to its predecessors. The softened lines and removal of most edges and scalloping contributed to a reduced drag coefficient from .32 to .29, making it a class leader according to Mercedes. The front end saw the most significant transformation, resulting in a handsome, albeit unoffensive, appearance. Inside, the GLE offered extra headroom and legroom due to a 3.1-inch wheelbase extension, allowing for an optional third row. However, the $720 Emerald Green Metallic paint on the test model showed a surprising amount of orange-peel effect, which was disappointing for a premium paint option.

The 2021 Ford Edge maintained its styling from the 2019 refresh, which successfully integrated the current Ford look with the existing Edge body shell. The Edge Titanium models featured extra chrome, while the ST trim boasted a blacked-out grille, standard 20-inch wheels, and a body kit. Inside, the Edge's design felt dated, especially with the awkward integration of new features like a larger touchscreen. The Titanium models came with leather upholstery, and the ST models had sporty front seats with added bolstering and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with contrast stitching.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Despite its power, the engine felt sluggish from a stop due to turbo lag and the vehicle's nearly 5,000-pound weight. The 9-speed automatic transmission was decent but not as smooth as the 8-speed in the BMW X5. The GLE 350 4Matic's fuel economy was impressive at 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 22 combined, but the X5 offered better performance with its standard turbocharged inline-6 engine.

The 2021 Ford Edge featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Edge ST performance model came with a twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6, producing 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, standard AWD, and model-specific suspension tuning. The Edge's towing capacities ranged from 3,958 pounds for the base FWD model to 4,525 pounds for the V6-powered Edge ST. While the Edge ST's performance was commendable, it didn't quite match the Porsche Macan, despite Ford's claims.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE's extended wheelbase provided significant interior space, especially in the second row. Depending on the options, it offered between 33.3 and 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, and 79.4 cubic feet with the seats lowered. The interior featured dual 12.3-inch screens, setting a new standard for dash design and customizability. The seats were comfortable, though the lumbar support was tricky to adjust. The steering wheel felt great but often blocked parts of the screen. The upgraded Burmester stereo provided excellent sound, but the bass caused vibrations through the brake pedal.

The 2021 Ford Edge offered competitive interior space, with the most rear-seat headroom among two-row midsize crossovers and ample legroom in both rows. Cargo space was 39.2 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. The center console featured a rotary shift knob, but the narrow width limited available space. The raised console provided a storage nook below, but it was difficult to reach and easy to forget items placed there.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured the new MBUX infotainment system, which was both deep and daunting but ultimately rewarding. The system included two 12.3-inch screens and a head-up display (HUD), offering options like augmented reality for directions and traffic signals. The natural voice control system was less effective in the GLE compared to the A-Class, but Mercedes assured that production models would perform better. The driver-assistance tech was improved but still had issues at high speeds, making it unreliable for long-distance driving.

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

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE lacked current testing data from NHTSA and IIHS, but it offered an impressive suite of autonomous safety systems. Features like Attention Assist and Seat Kinetics aimed to prevent driver fatigue. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist systems were less reliable at high speeds, causing the car to bounce around the lane and struggle with shadows and unexpected lines.

The 2021 Ford Edge was an IIHS "Top Safety Pick," scoring top ratings in crash tests and front crash prevention tech. NHTSA gave it a five-star overall safety rating. The Edge came with standard safety features under the Ford Co-Pilot360 banner, including automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control and Evasive Steering Assist were standard on all but the base SE trim.