2020 Ford Explorer vs 2019 Ford Edge

The 2019 Ford Edge underwent a facelift that enhanced its sporty appearance with a new grille, headlights, and lower front fascia. The rear was updated with new taillights and a larger black panel replacing the red connector, giving it a more athletic look. However, the interior remained largely unchanged from previous models, feeling dated with its heavy reliance on plastics. Despite the addition of a new rotary shifter, the cabin struggled to feel modern, though it offered a range of standard and available features across its trims, from the base SE to the performance-oriented ST.

In contrast, the 2020 Ford Explorer boasted a refined, upscale design, shedding excess bulk for a more athletic stance. Its widened headlights, large grille, and distinctive hood lettering gave it a prominent look. The ST version, with its black rims and red brake calipers, was particularly striking. Inside, however, the Explorer's interior was criticized for its use of low-grade materials, especially given its high price point. Despite some solid switchgear and a padded dashboard, the Explorer's interior fell short of the luxury its price suggested, especially when compared to competitors like the Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander.

The 2019 Ford Edge offered a 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine for non-ST trims, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, provided reliable performance with optional AWD on the SEL and standard on other trims in Canada. The Edge ST, however, featured a 2.7-litre EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 engine, producing 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, offering impressive acceleration and cornering abilities. The ST's fuel economy was 12.6 L/100 km city, 9.2 highway, and 11.0 combined, while the base engine with FWD was more efficient.

The 2020 Ford Explorer excelled with its RWD chassis, enhancing weight distribution and handling. The ST trim featured a 3.0-litre EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 engine, generating 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided smooth, addictive power delivery, with AWD standard in Canada. The Explorer also offered a 2.3-litre turbo inline four-cylinder engine with 300 hp and a hybrid option with 318 hp. The ST's fuel economy was 13.3/9.8/11.8 L/100 km, with towing capacities up to 2,540 kilograms for the V6.

The 2019 Ford Edge's cabin, though dated, was practical with ample storage options, including deep cargo bins and in-door pockets. The Edge ST featured performance bucket seats, which were not ideal for taller individuals due to limited adjustability. The rear seats offered generous space, with 1,110 litres of cargo space behind them, expandable to 2,078 litres with the seats folded, making it competitive with similar crossovers.

The 2020 Ford Explorer provided ample headroom and legroom, especially in the second row, which felt luxurious with air vents, USB ports, and a panoramic moonroof. The third row accommodated six-foot adults for short trips, though cargo space behind it was reduced to 509 litres. With all seats folded, the Explorer offered 2,491 litres of cargo space, one of the largest in its class. The Explorer's interior featured physical controls for climate and stereo, though visibility was hindered by thick D-pillars and fuzzy cameras.

The 2019 Ford Edge's base infotainment system was basic, with a 4.2-inch non-touchscreen, USB port, WiFi hotspot, and Bluetooth. The SEL and higher trims offered an 8-inch Sync 3 system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, praised for its intuitive layout despite average graphics.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, Sync 3, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot. The Premium Technology Package for ST and Platinum models included a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. While the interface was user-friendly, the system lacked innovation, with limited customization options and an unfinished feel. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ system was also criticized for its performance.

The 2019 Ford Edge included standard safety features like a rear-view camera, traction control, and airbags, along with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite, which offered automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Edge received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, despite poor headlight ratings.

The 2020 Ford Explorer featured Ford Co-Pilot 360 with standard safety features such as forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. It also included adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking. The Explorer earned a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and was a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.