2020 Dodge Durango vs 2019 Ford Edge

The 2019 Ford Edge underwent a noticeable exterior update, featuring a new grille, headlights, and lower front fascia, which gave it a sportier look. The rear was also refreshed with new taillights and a larger black panel replacing the red connector, enhancing its athletic appeal across all trims. However, the interior remained largely unchanged from previous models, retaining a dated feel reminiscent of the 2010 version, despite the addition of a new infotainment system. The cabin was practical, with a new rotary shifter, but was criticized for its heavy use of plastics, which detracted from its modern aspirations. The Edge offered a range of trims, from the base SE with standard features like 18-inch alloy wheels and keyless entry, to the performance-oriented ST, which included enhancements from Ford Performance and a price tag exceeding $50,000 Canadian.

In contrast, the 2020 Dodge Durango maintained its styling from a 2014 update, with its third generation dating back to 2011. Its design drew connections to the Charger muscle sedan, but the platform felt outdated. The cabin shared similarities with the Jeep Grand Cherokee, though it lacked significant updates, leaving it in need of a refresh. Fortunately, a redesign was anticipated for the 2021 model year. The Durango offered a variety of trims, starting with the SXT, which included standard features like 18-inch wheels and a 7-inch touchscreen. Higher trims like the GT, R/T, Citadel, and SRT added features such as larger wheels, leather upholstery, and performance enhancements, with the SRT boasting a unique look and optional racing stripes.

The 2019 Ford Edge featured a 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine for non-ST trims, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available on the SEL and standard on other trims in Canada. The ST trim stood out with a 2.7-litre EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 engine, producing 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, also mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with all-wheel drive. The ST offered impressive acceleration and handling, with a Sport Mode for enhanced performance. Fuel economy for the Edge varied, with the base model achieving 10.9 L/100 km in the city and 8.0 on the highway, while the ST consumed 12.6 L/100 km city and 9.2 highway.

The 2020 Dodge Durango offered a range of engines, starting with a 3.6-litre V6 producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, standard on the SXT, GT, and Citadel trims. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, also available on the Citadel. The SRT trim boasted a 6.4-litre Hemi V8, delivering 475 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The SRT offered a performance-tuned suspension and Brembo brakes, with Dodge SRT performance pages for detailed drive mode customization. The Durango's handling was surprisingly agile for its size, with minimal body roll and impressive cornering capabilities.

The 2019 Ford Edge's cabin, though dated, was practical with ample storage options, including a deep cargo bin in the centre console and in-door pockets with large bottle holders. The Edge ST featured ST-branded bucket seats with pronounced side bolsters, though they were not ideal for taller individuals due to limited adjustability. The rear seats offered generous space, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. Cargo space was competitive, with 1,110 litres behind the rear seats and 2,078 litres with the rear seats folded, surpassing competitors like the Nissan Murano and Chevy Blazer, but slightly less than the Honda Passport.

The 2020 Dodge Durango provided 490 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,351 litres with the rear seats folded, and 2,393 litres with both the second and third rows down. This was comparable to the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot, though the VW Atlas offered more. The Durango's towing capacity ranged from 2,812 to 3,946 kilograms, depending on configuration. The cabin was spacious, with comfortable front seats and a choice of second-row bench or captain's chairs. The third row was best suited for children, but access was easy thanks to large second-row doors and foldable seats. The interior featured multiple storage options, including cargo bins and cupholders.

The 2019 Ford Edge's base infotainment system was basic, with a 4.2-inch non-touchscreen operated by buttons, offering features like a USB port, WiFi hotspot, and Bluetooth. The SEL trim and above offered an 8-inch Sync 3 infotainment system, praised for its intuitive menu layout and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, despite average graphics.

The 2020 Dodge Durango's SXT and GT trims came with a 7-inch touchscreen, while higher trims featured an 8.4-inch screen, both utilizing the user-friendly Uconnect system. Uconnect offered a tablet-inspired layout with dock icons for easy navigation, along with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims included navigation, SiriusXM Travel Link, and an Alpine premium audio system, with an optional 19-speaker Harman Kardon system.

The 2019 Ford Edge came standard with a rear-view camera, traction control, and a full array of airbags. It also included Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite, featuring automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beams, and blind-spot monitoring. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and lane-centering. The Edge received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, though its headlights received lower scores.

The 2020 Dodge Durango included front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, and trailer sway control. Rear parking sensors were standard, with front sensors on higher trims. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision avoidance, and lane-departure warning. The Durango earned a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash tests. The IIHS rated it Good in most tests, with a Moderate score for driver’s side small-front overlap testing.