2021 INFINITI QX80 vs 2021 Ford Edge

The 2021 Ford Edge retained much of its styling from the 2019 refresh, which successfully aligned its exterior with Ford's more recent designs. This refresh gave the Edge a cleaner look compared to the more elaborate styling of competitors like the Chevy Blazer and Hyundai Santa Fe. The Edge Titanium models featured extra chrome accents, while the ST trim boasted a blacked-out grille, standard 20-inch wheels, and a body kit. The ST-Line offered the same exterior styling as the ST but without the performance upgrades and higher price tag. However, the interior of the Edge began to show its age, with a design that seemed less fresh and awkwardly modified to fit new features like a larger touchscreen. The Titanium models included leather upholstery, and the ST models had sporty front seats with added bolstering and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with contrast stitching.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 showcased a blend of Nissan Armada and Infiniti styling elements, with the basic body shell carried over from the Armada. This was evident in the roofline profile and the distinctive curve of the rear windows, along with front fender vents. Unlike many SUVs that switched to unibody construction, the QX80 maintained a body-on-frame construction. The front-end styling, introduced in 2018, featured the same grille and headlight design as other Infiniti SUVs, giving the QX80 an assertive yet not overly aggressive look. Standard LED headlights, taillights, and fog lights, along with automatic high beams and windshield-wiper interlock, were included. The base Luxe trim rode on 20-inch wheels, while the Premium Select and Sensory trims had 22-inch wheels. The interior design closely resembled the Armada, with wood trim, contrast stitching, and standard leather upholstery. However, the dashboard and switchgear were still recognizably Nissan, and the foot-operated parking brake was not a high-end feature. Despite this, the interior felt luxurious, though it might disappoint buyers seeking exclusivity.

The 2021 Ford Edge offered 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. It came with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The Edge ST performance model featured an EcoBoost twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 engine delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque on 93-octane fuel, with standard AWD and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The ST also had model-specific suspension tuning, with an optional package for upgraded brakes and 21-inch wheels with summer tires. The Edge ST aimed to compete with performance SUVs like the Porsche Macan, though it fell short of that benchmark. The Edge was refined for its age, but the turbo-four engine in non-ST models felt sluggish. Towing capacities were 3,958 pounds for the base FWD four-cylinder, 4,122 pounds for AWD models, and 4,525 pounds for the V6-powered ST. These figures were respectable but fell short of competitors like the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, which could tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 came with a 5.6-liter V8 engine and a seven-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive (RWD) standard and 4WD as a $3,100 option. The V8 produced 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, slightly less than the Cadillac Escalade's V8 or the Lincoln Navigator's twin-turbo V6 but still sufficient for the large SUV. The engine was responsive, making highway overtaking stress-free, though transmission shifts could have been smoother. The QX80's body-on-frame construction was complemented by independent suspension and a rear auto-leveling feature. Sensory models included Hydraulic Body Motion Control to limit body roll during cornering. The ride was comfortable, with some detectable shudders over bumps, and the interior was quiet. The QX80 felt less composed in corners, with noticeable body roll, but the speed-sensitive power steering promoted a relaxed driving style. The QX80's 4WD system included a low range and a forward skid plate, enhancing off-road capability, though its size and wheel-and-tire combinations were more suited to on-road use. The QX80 could tow up to 8,500 pounds, more than the Cadillac Escalade but slightly less than the Lincoln Navigator's 8,700 pounds.

The 2021 Ford Edge, a five-seat midsize crossover, remained competitive in interior space, offering the most rear-seat headroom among its class and ample legroom in both rows, second only to the Hyundai Santa Fe. It featured dual-zone automatic climate control as standard. Cargo space was 39.2 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, trailing only the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. Higher trims offered a foot-activated power liftgate. The rotary shift knob on the center console aimed to free up space, but the narrow console width limited its effectiveness. A storage nook below the raised console was hard to reach and easy to forget.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80, a three-row SUV, came standard with a seven-seat configuration featuring second-row captain’s chairs and a center console, with an optional eight-seat configuration replacing the captain’s chairs with a 60/40 split-folding bench seat. Standard features included a 10-way-adjustable power driver’s seat and an eight-way front passenger’s seat, both with two-way lumbar support and heating and cooling on Sensory models. However, the front seats lacked thigh support, potentially causing discomfort on long trips. A driver’s memory system for the seat, mirrors, and steering wheel was standard, along with USB ports and a 12-volt outlet on the center stack. Passenger space was competitive but not class-leading, with the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator offering more space. The third row had enough room for adults, and models with captain’s chairs had a large console with storage, climate controls, and USB ports, though third-row passengers lacked charging ports. Cargo space was 16.6 cubic feet with all seats in place, 49.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.1 cubic feet with both the third row and second-row captain’s chairs folded, trailing the Escalade and Navigator. The center console could open from both the front and back, but storage space was limited, and the front-door cupholders were poorly shaped for holding drinks. The center console had two spots for phones, but neither could accommodate a phone while charging.

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

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 came with the standard Infiniti InTouch dual-screen infotainment system, featuring 8.0-inch upper and 7.0-inch lower touchscreens, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a built-in WiFi hotspot, and navigation. Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 13-speaker Bose audio system were standard, with an optional 17-speaker Bose system and a Theater Package rear-seat entertainment system. The touchscreens were supplemented by analog controls, but the user interface was confusing, with small screens and controls far from the driver. The Smart Rearview Mirror, which could switch to a streaming-video display, and the Around View Monitor 360-degree camera system were helpful features.

The 2021 Ford Edge was an IIHS “Top Safety Pick,” scoring top ratings in all crash tests and front crash prevention tech in vehicle-to-vehicle situations. It received lower ratings for vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention, LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use, and headlight performance. The NHTSA gave the Edge a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover tests. Standard safety features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, post-collision braking, dynamic brake support, and rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control and Evasive Steering Assist were standard on all but the base SE trim.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars for side crash tests, four stars for frontal crash tests, and a three-star rollover rating. The IIHS did not test the QX80. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and Backup Collision Intervention. These features were standard, unlike many other luxury brands.