2020 Subaru Outback vs 2020 Ford Edge

Subaru had a winning formula with the Outback and aimed for incremental improvements in 2020. The sixth-gen Outback was built on Subaru’s Global Platform, boasting a 70% increase in structural rigidity. The base 2.5-liter engine, though seemingly similar to the 2019 model, had 90% new parts. For those seeking more power, the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine from the Ascent was available in higher trims. Externally, changes were subtle, mainly noticeable in the head- and taillights. Inside, the 2020 Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen for all but the base trim, which had dual 7-inch screens. The innovative DriverFocus tech used facial recognition to adjust settings and monitor driver alertness.

The Outback was offered in seven trims, starting at $26,645 for the 2.5i, which included LED headlights, keyless entry, and automatic climate control. The Premium trim, starting at $28,895, introduced the 11.6-inch touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, and heated front seats. The Limited trim, at $33,445, added features like blind-spot monitoring and a Harman Kardon stereo. The Touring trim, priced at $37,345, offered ventilated front seats and a sunroof. The new Onyx Edition XT, starting at $34,895, included the turbo engine and off-road enhancements. The Limited XT and Touring XT trims followed their non-XT counterparts but added the turbo engine, with prices at $37,745 and $39,695, respectively.

Ford introduced the Edge in 2006, and by 2020, it was based on the same platform as the Ford Fusion sedan, offering a car-like ride and ample cabin space. The second-gen Edge, updated in 2019, carried over to 2020 with a fresh look, featuring angular headlights and a large grille. Inside, the layout remained largely unchanged since 2015, with small climate and radio controls and a rotary shifter. The cabin quality was decent, with soft-touch materials, 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 trim 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 trim added LED fog lights, heated side mirrors, synthetic leather upholstery, and a nine-speaker audio system. The Titanium trim featured 19-inch wheels, genuine leather upholstery, and a B&O 12-speaker sound system. The ST trim, the performance variant, included a more powerful engine, standard AWD, and sportier styling.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an upgraded 2.5-liter engine with 182 horsepower, a 7-hp increase over 2019. This engine offered 26 mpg city and 33 highway, a 1 mpg improvement in both categories. For those needing more power, the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine in the XT trims produced 260 hp and 277 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in around 7 seconds. Both engines were paired with a CVT, tuned to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, minimizing the typical CVT drawbacks. Subaru’s symmetrical AWD system provided consistent power delivery and enhanced safety, especially in adverse conditions. The Outback also offered 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it capable off-road, though not to the extent of a Jeep.

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, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, provided solid low-end acceleration but struggled at higher speeds. The Edge ST, the performance variant, featured a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine with 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, also mated to an eight-speed automatic and standard AWD. The ST offered a more engaging driving experience, with heavy steering and excellent cornering. 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 2020 Subaru Outback, a station wagon, offered 32.5 cubic feet of trunk space, expandable to 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The increased width between the rear wheels contributed to a 1-cu-ft increase in passenger volume and a 2.4-cu-ft increase in overall volume. The Outback provided ample legroom and headroom, even for taller passengers, and excellent visibility, though the rear quarters had a notable blind spot.

The 2020 Ford Edge excelled in cabin layout, offering a commanding view of the road and plenty of storage compartments. The second-row head- and legroom were generous, and the two rows provided were spacious and comfortable. The Edge offered 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. This was more than the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Nissan Murano but slightly less than the Honda Passport. The SEL and Titanium trims included a hands-free foot-activated power rear liftgate.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, which was visually impressive but suffered from lag and buried climate-control functions. The screen was easy to navigate, but the lag affected nearly every function, including map navigation and volume control. The camera resolution was also subpar, detracting from the overall experience.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with the SYNC 3 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen. The system was user-friendly, with a row of icons for easy navigation and a helpful home button. SYNC 3 included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, eliminating the need for optional navigation. The Edge also offered a voice-activated navigation system with real-time traffic updates, standard on the Titanium trim. The Edge included two smart-charging USB ports and an optional dual rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2020 Subaru Outback included a comprehensive safety suite, with standard AWD and features like adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. However, the DriverFocus system, designed to alert distracted drivers, was problematic, frequently issuing false alerts. Subaru’s EyeSight system, while standard, could be obstructed by weather conditions, causing it to turn off unexpectedly.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a full array of airbags, 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.