2020 Volvo XC90 vs 2021 Ford Edge

The 2020 Volvo XC90 showcased a pinnacle of modern Volvo design, proving that a large SUV could be as aesthetically pleasing as a sleek sedan. The R-Design trim featured blacked-out, honeycomb grille treatments, black window surrounds, and 22-inch rims, adding a touch of aggression to its already handsome figure. The "Thor's hammer" LED headlights and curving LED taillights were distinctive, while the Thunder Grey Metallic paint contrasted beautifully with the beige-leather and aluminum interior. The cabin exuded quality and simplicity, with luxurious materials and thoughtful details like the Swedish flag tag and twist-action ignition knob.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Edge retained much of its styling from the 2019 refresh, which successfully integrated Ford's current design language with the existing Edge body. The Edge Titanium models featured extra chrome, while the ST trim boasted a blacked-out grille, 20-inch wheels, and a body kit. Inside, the Edge's design felt dated, despite attempts to modernize it with a larger touchscreen. The Titanium models offered leather upholstery, and the ST models had sporty front seats with added bolstering and contrast stitching.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all based on a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T5 model produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which felt insufficient for such a heavy vehicle. The T6, with a supercharger added, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, making it more suitable for keeping up with traffic. The Polestar tune further boosted these numbers to 330 hp and 325 lb-ft. However, the XC90's performance was not without flaws, including laggy acceleration and unimpressive fuel economy, averaging 20 mpg. The T8 plug-in hybrid offered 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque but was hampered by its added weight and limited electric range.

The 2021 Ford Edge primarily used a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, producing 250 hp and 275 lb-ft 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. The Edge ST aimed to compete with performance SUVs like the Porsche Macan, though it fell short of such lofty comparisons. The Edge's towing capacities ranged from 3,958 to 4,525 pounds, depending on the model, which was respectable but not class-leading.

The 2020 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system had improved responsiveness, crucial for accessing climate controls and other functions embedded in the touchscreen. The cabin layout was stellar, with seven seats standard and an optional integrated booster cushion for young children. The six-seat configuration was available on certain trims, offering generous legroom and comfort in the first and second rows, though the third row was tight. Cargo space was ample, with up to 85.7 cubic feet available.

The 2021 Ford Edge offered competitive interior space, with the most rear-seat headroom among two-row midsize crossovers and ample legroom. Cargo space was 39.2 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 73.4 cubic feet with them folded. The Edge featured a rotary shift knob to free up console space, though the narrow console limited its effectiveness. A storage nook below the console was difficult to reach and easy to forget.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 came standard with Volvo Pilot Assist, a semi-automated driving system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The R-Design trim featured a Bowers & Wilkins stereo with 19 speakers and 1,400 watts of power, offering an immersive audio experience. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was high-resolution and easy to navigate, though onboard apps were slow to load. The digital instrument panel was less customizable than those in some competitors.

The 2021 Ford Edge featured the latest Sync 4 infotainment system with a 12-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM with 360L, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Edge ST included a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Edge also had four USB ports, including two rear USB ports added for 2021. Sync 4's simple graphics and straightforward menus were user-friendly, though not all competitors offered wireless connectivity.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 received top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, though its headlight test results lowered its rating to a Top Safety Pick. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, a driver-attention monitor, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic-sign recognition. Volvo's commitment to safety was evident in its use of high-strength steels and advanced airbag systems.

The 2021 Ford Edge was an IIHS Top Safety Pick, with top ratings in most crash tests and front crash prevention tech. However, it received lower ratings for vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention, LATCH ease of use, and headlights. The NHTSA awarded the Edge a five-star overall safety rating. 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, and rear parking sensors. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control and Evasive Steering Assist.