2021 Subaru Outback 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 contemporary design language. This refresh gave the Edge a cleaner look compared to the more elaborate designs of competitors like the Chevy Blazer and Hyundai Santa Fe. The Edge Titanium models featured additional chrome accents, while the ST trim boasted a blacked-out grille, 20-inch wheels, and a body kit. The ST-Line offered similar styling without the performance enhancements. Inside, the Edge's interior began to show its age, with a design that struggled to keep up with new features like a larger touchscreen. The Titanium models offered leather upholstery, and the ST models included sporty front seats with contrast stitching.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for 2020, maintained a familiar and comfortable feel reminiscent of older Subaru models. While the base trim had a less appealing dual-screen setup, higher trims featured an 11.6-inch portrait display with chrome trim and contrasting leatherette. The Outback's interior quality improved significantly over pre-2015 models, with substantial materials and a luxury-like impression in Limited and Touring trims. The Onyx Edition XT introduced a unique gray and black StarTex upholstery with lime green stitching. Externally, the Outback's styling remained smooth and plain, with high gray cladding for protection. The 2021 model introduced a new brown paint option and standard adaptive LED headlights, maintaining its identity as a lifted wagon.

The 2021 Ford Edge primarily 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. It offered standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. The Edge ST performance model came with a twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 engine, producing 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, standard all-wheel drive, and model-specific suspension tuning. The Edge ST's towing capacity reached up to 4,525 pounds, though it fell short of competitors like the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, which could tow up to 5,000 pounds.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback's base engine was a 2.5-liter flat-four, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This setup struggled with the Outback's weight, especially when loaded. The XT models, however, featured a 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four engine, offering 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, significantly improving performance. The XT's fuel economy was slightly lower than the base engine, but the turbocharged engine provided a more refined driving experience. The Outback excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to its high ground clearance and Subaru's proactive all-wheel-drive system, making it more capable than many crossovers and SUVs.

The 2021 Ford Edge offered competitive interior space, with the most rear-seat headroom among two-row midsize crossovers and ample legroom. It provided 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 73.4 cubic feet with them folded. The Edge's rotary shift knob aimed to free up console space, but the narrow console limited its effectiveness. A foot-activated power liftgate was available on higher trims.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted impressive ground clearance, allowing it to tackle various terrains. Inside, it offered 76 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. The Outback's interior was spacious, with excellent visibility and ample storage options. However, some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were only available on higher trims. The Outback's standout feature was its standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, providing convenience and cost savings.

The 2021 Ford Edge featured Ford's Sync 4 infotainment system with a 12-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Edge ST models included a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The system's simple graphics and menu layouts made it user-friendly, and the addition of rear USB ports enhanced connectivity.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system appeared dated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. However, it offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the optional navigation system was more modern. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. The system relied on cameras, which could be less effective in certain conditions compared to radar-based systems.

The 2021 Ford Edge earned an IIHS "Top Safety Pick" designation, with top ratings in crash tests and front crash prevention tech. However, it received lower ratings for pedestrian detection and headlight performance. The NHTSA awarded the Edge a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included Ford Co-Pilot360, with adaptive cruise control available on higher trims.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger chassis and additional airbags. It was a 2020 IIHS "Top Safety Pick+," with top ratings in crash tests and forward emergency braking. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating, though it received four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and rollover test. The Outback offered various driver assists, with some features standard on higher trims.