Ford Edge vs Chevrolet Trax

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax, based on the model introduced in 2015, retained its 2017 design updates, including standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. By 2021, the Premier trim was discontinued, leaving the LS and LT trims. The LS featured 16-inch wheels, remote keyless entry, and a 7-inch touchscreen with the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system. The LT trim added features like heated mirrors, LED lights, and upgraded seating, with optional styling and driver assistance packages.

The 2021 Ford Edge maintained its refreshed 2019 exterior design, offering a cleaner look compared to some competitors. The Titanium trim featured chrome accents, while the ST trim had a blacked-out grille and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Edge's design showed its age, with the Titanium offering leather upholstery and the ST providing sporty seats. Despite its dated interior, the Edge remained a stylish choice in its segment.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax was powered by a single engine option: a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder producing 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. It came with a six-speed automatic transmission and offered front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. While adequate for city driving, the engine struggled at highway speeds and was noisy. The Trax had a firm ride, which could be harsh over rough roads, but its tight turning radius made it maneuverable in urban settings.

The 2021 Ford Edge offered a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in FWD or AWD. The Edge ST model featured a 2.7-liter V6 with 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, standard AWD, and a sport-tuned suspension. The Edge's towing capacity ranged from 3,958 to 4,525 pounds, depending on the model, though it fell short of some competitors. The Edge ST was noted for its performance, though not quite on par with high-end SUVs.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax offered decent headroom and legroom, though rear seats lacked comfort for long trips. It featured multiple storage trays and low cupholder placement for convenience. Cargo space was 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with seats folded. The front passenger seat folded flat for larger items, but no power liftgate options were available.

The 2021 Ford Edge excelled in interior space, offering the most rear-seat headroom among midsize crossovers and ample legroom. Cargo space was 39.2 cubic feet with rear seats up and 73.4 cubic feet with them folded. A foot-activated power liftgate was available on higher trims. The center console design aimed to maximize space, though it was still average, with a storage nook that was hard to access.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax came with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth, voice control, and an optional WiFi hotspot. The system was praised for its user-friendly interface and vivid graphics.

The 2021 Ford Edge featured the Sync 4 infotainment system with a 12-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM with 360L, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Edge ST included a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The system was noted for its simple graphics and easy navigation, with four USB ports, including two rear ports added in 2021.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax received a five-star NHTSA rating but lacked IIHS Top Safety Pick awards. It came standard with airbags and a backup camera, with optional blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and rear parking sensors. However, it lacked advanced safety features like forward-collision avoidance and lane-departure warning.

The 2021 Ford Edge was an IIHS Top Safety Pick, with top ratings in crash tests and front crash prevention, though it had mixed ratings for headlights and LATCH ease of use. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and more, with adaptive cruise control available on most trims.