2020 Subaru Outback vs 2021 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 unchanged, had 90% new parts, while higher trims featured a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine from the Ascent. Exterior changes were subtle, mainly in the head- and taillights, but the interior saw significant upgrades, including an 11.6-inch touchscreen for most trims and the innovative DriverFocus system, which used facial recognition to adjust settings and monitor driver alertness.

The 2021 Ford Edge retained much of its styling from the 2019 refresh, which successfully integrated Ford’s current design language. The Edge Titanium featured extra chrome, while the ST trim had a blacked-out grille, 20-inch wheels, and a body kit. Inside, the Edge showed its age, with a design that had been awkwardly updated over the years. The Titanium models had leather upholstery, and the ST models offered sporty front seats with added bolstering and contrast stitching.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an upgraded 2.5-liter engine with 182 horsepower, a 7-hp increase over 2019, and improved fuel efficiency at 26 mpg city and 33 highway. For those needing more power, the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine in XT trims delivered 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in around 7 seconds. Both engines were paired with a CVT, tuned to mimic a traditional automatic transmission. Subaru’s symmetrical AWD system provided consistent power delivery and better handling, with 8.7 inches of ground clearance for off-road capability.

The 2021 Ford Edge offered a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine with 250 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in FWD or AWD. The performance-oriented Edge ST featured a 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 with 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 ST, though competitors like the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered higher towing capacities.

The 2020 Subaru Outback excelled in functionality, offering 32.5 cubic feet of trunk space, expandable to 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The interior was spacious, with ample legroom and headroom, even for taller passengers. Subaru’s design prioritized visibility, though the rear quarters had a notable blind spot. The Outback’s low load height and lower center of gravity improved handling and reduced rollover risk.

The 2021 Ford Edge remained competitive in interior space, with the most rear-seat headroom among midsize crossovers and ample legroom in both rows. Cargo space was 39.2 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 73.4 cubic feet with them folded. The Edge featured a foot-activated power liftgate on higher trims and a rotary shift knob to free up console space, though the narrow console limited its effectiveness.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, which was visually impressive but suffered from lag and buried climate-control functions. The system’s camera resolution was also subpar. Despite these issues, the screen was easy to navigate, and the infotainment system included Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The 2021 Ford Edge was equipped with the latest Sync 4 infotainment system, featuring a 12-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Edge ST included a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Sync 4 system was praised for its simple graphics and straightforward menu layouts, making it user-friendly.

The 2020 Subaru Outback had a strong safety suite, including standard AWD and Subaru’s EyeSight system. However, the DriverFocus system was problematic, frequently issuing false alerts. EyeSight’s optical system could be obstructed by weather conditions, causing it to turn off unexpectedly.

The 2021 Ford Edge was an IIHS “Top Safety Pick” and received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. It featured Ford Co-Pilot360, which included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. Adaptive cruise control and Evasive Steering Assist were standard on all but the base trim.