2020 Ford Edge vs 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe

The 2020 Ford Edge, introduced in 2006, was based on the Ford Fusion sedan platform, offering a car-like ride and spacious cabin. By 2015, the second generation arrived, with a styling update in 2019 that carried over to 2020. Despite its fresh look, the Edge's design lagged behind competitors like Honda and Toyota, who frequently updated their models. The Edge's exterior featured angular headlights and a large trapezoidal grille, reminiscent of the Fusion. Inside, the layout remained largely unchanged since 2015, with awkwardly arranged controls and a contemporary rotary shifter. While the cabin quality was decent, with soft-touch materials and solid fit-and-finish, the heavy use of hard plastics detracted from its appeal.

The Edge was available in SE, SEL, Titanium, and ST trims, each offering a range of features. The SE trim included SiriusXM satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SEL trim added LED fog lights and synthetic leather upholstery, while the Titanium trim offered genuine leather and unique headlight design. The ST trim, the performance variant, featured a more powerful engine and sportier styling. Despite its age, the Edge provided a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features under the Ford Co-Pilot360 banner.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered six distinct versions, each with unique styling cues. The base LS and popular LT trims had different grille patterns, while the sporty RST featured a blacked-out appearance and 22-inch wheels. The rugged Z71 combined off-road capability with a redesigned front end, red tow hooks, and all-terrain tires. The upscale Premier and luxurious High Country trims boasted chrome accents and polished wheels. The Tahoe's design was dominated by its grille, with standard LED headlights and expressive taillights. The new model's styling was more subtle, with larger wheels enhancing its appearance.

Prices for the Tahoe started at $57,048 for the LS trim and went up to $81,448 for the High Country. The Z71 trim, tested at $59,200, included several option packages, bringing the total to $80,293. The Tahoe's interior featured a 10.2-inch infotainment screen and new electronic transmission controls, improving storage capacity but compromising control layout. The cabin quality met expectations, with exposed stitching and soft-touch surfaces in the upper half, while the lower half was covered in hard plastic. The Tahoe's interior execution centred around comfort and functionality, with leather seats standard from the LT trim and various seating configurations available.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. Power was delivered to the front wheels or available all-wheel drive through an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine provided solid low-end acceleration, ideal for city driving, though it struggled at higher speeds. The Edge's suspension was designed to handle rough roads, offering a refined and engaging driving experience. The sporty Edge ST variant featured a 2.7-litre twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque to standard AWD. The ST's performance was enhanced by a Sport mode, which improved throttle response and transmission mapping.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered three engine options. The standard 5.3-litre V8 engine, available in all trims except the High Country, produced 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. The High Country featured a 6.2-litre V8 engine, delivering 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. A turbocharged 3.0-litre diesel inline six-cylinder engine was also available, offering 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, except for the Z71 trim. The Tahoe's 10-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels, with a 4WD system optional on base trims and standard on others. The Z71 trim included off-road features like hill descent control and all-terrain tires. The Tahoe's independent rear suspension improved ride quality and interior comfort, while the Magnetic Ride Control and Air Ride suspension options further enhanced performance. The Tahoe's towing capacity reached up to 3,810 kilograms, with a payload capacity of 831 kilograms.

The 2020 Ford Edge excelled in cabin layout, offering a commanding view of the road and ample storage compartments. The second-row seats provided generous head- and legroom, ensuring comfort without needing to adjust the front seats. While the Edge lacked a third row, its two rows were spacious and comfortable. The Edge offered 1,110 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 2,078 litres with the rear seats folded. This cargo capacity surpassed the Jeep Grand Cherokee but was slightly less than the Nissan Murano and Honda Passport. The SEL and Titanium trims featured a hands-free foot-activated power rear liftgate.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe's new independent rear suspension improved passenger comfort and cargo space. The test vehicle featured heated power-adjustable front seats and a heated steering wheel, with ventilated seats available on higher trims. The power sliding storage console provided additional storage options, while the second row offered a choice between a bench seat or captain’s chairs. The third-row seat was more comfortable, accommodating adults with ease. The Tahoe offered 722 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 2,056 litres with the seat folded, and a maximum volume of 3,480 litres. These figures were substantial improvements over the previous generation and surpassed most full-size SUVs.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with easy-to-use controls. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, allowing users to access their preferred maps app without additional navigation costs. The Edge also featured two smart-charging USB ports and a rearview camera. A semi-digital instrument panel was available on the SEL and ST trims and standard on the Titanium.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe's standard 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system offered enhanced computing power, over-the-air updates, and cybersecurity protection. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a voice-recognition system, and Chevrolet Connected Services. Navigation and Bose premium audio systems were available as upgrades. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the main-menu shortcut icons were somewhat hard to use due to their recessed position. The voice-recognition system was impressive, accurately responding to test prompts. The test vehicle featured a Rear Seat Media system, offering versatility for rear passengers.

The 2020 Ford Edge included a full array of airbags, AdvanceTrac traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Ford Co-Pilot360 safety system was standard on all trims, featuring automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring. The SEL trim offered the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package, adding adaptive cruise control and active lane centring. The Edge received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe featured standard safety equipment like Teen Driver, a rear-seat reminder system, forward collision alert, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered additional features like lane-departure warning, blind-spot warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Tahoe's available surround-view camera was recommended for maneuvering in tight spaces. As the Tahoe was brand new, it had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.