2021 Chevrolet Trax vs 2020 Ford Edge

The 2020 Ford Edge, first introduced in 2006, was based on the same platform as the Ford Fusion sedan, offering a car-like ride and ample cabin space. The second generation, arriving in 2015, received a styling update in 2019, which carried over to 2020. This update gave the Edge a fresh look with angular headlights and a large, trapezoidal grille, making it resemble a crossover version of the Fusion. Inside, the Edge showed signs of aging with a layout unchanged since 2015, despite subtle updates. The center console had small, awkwardly arranged climate and radio controls, and a contemporary rotary shifter. The cabin quality was decent, with soft-touch materials and solid fit-and-finish, but the heavy use of hard plastics detracted from the overall feel.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax, based on the 2015 model, received design updates in 2017 that continued into 2021. The 2017 model introduced standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the 2020 update improved the infotainment system. For 2021, the Premier trim was dropped, leaving LS and LT trims. The LS featured 16-inch painted aluminum wheels, remote keyless entry, cloth upholstery, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Chevrolet Infotainment 3. The LT added heated side mirrors, roof rails, LED lights, remote start, and upgraded seats. The LT also offered styling packages and driver assistance features through optional packages.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine provided solid low-end acceleration, suitable for city driving, but struggled at higher speeds. The Edge's suspension was designed for American roads, absorbing potholes well while maintaining a refined and engaging ride. The sporty Edge ST variant featured a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, with standard AWD. The ST had a bit of turbo lag at low speeds but excelled at higher revs, offering heavy steering and excellent cornering. A Sport mode enhanced the driving experience, and an optional ST Performance Brake Package included unique wheels, summer performance tires, and upgraded brakes.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax offered a single engine option: a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder, producing 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. This engine was adequate for city driving but struggled to provide power for highway speeds and passing. The Trax had a firm ride, which could be harsh over potholes and bumps, but its tight turning radius made it maneuverable in tight spaces. While rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30 offered more comfortable and fun-to-drive experiences, the Trax was a sensible choice for city dwellers. Chevrolet planned to introduce a retuned engine for the 2022 Trax, increasing horsepower to 155 while maintaining the same torque.

The 2020 Ford Edge excelled in cabin layout, offering a commanding view of the road without being overly upright. The seats were surrounded by numerous cubbies and compartments, designed for commuting or road trips. The second-row head- and legroom were ample, and the two rows provided were spacious and comfortable. The Edge offered 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This was more than the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Nissan Murano but slightly less than the Honda Passport. The SEL and Titanium trims featured a hands-free foot-activated power rear liftgate.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax provided respectable headroom and legroom in both rows. The front seats were supportive, but the rear seats lacked bolstering and were uncomfortable over long distances. The Trax had multiple storage trays in each door and low cupholder placement for large water bottles. It offered 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The front passenger seat folded flat for larger items. These cargo figures were mid-pack for the subcompact SUV segment, and there was no option for a power liftgate.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with the SYNC 3 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with easy-to-use icons and a helpful home button. SYNC 3 included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, allowing users to use their preferred maps app without paying extra for navigation. A voice-activated navigation system with pinch-to-zoom map control was optional on the SEL and ST trims and standard on the Titanium. This system included SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link with real-time traffic updates, with a five-year pre-paid subscription. The Edge also featured two smart-charging USB ports and an optional dual rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax featured a 7-inch touchscreen with the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, offering easy-to-follow menus, vivid graphics, and hard buttons and dials. This system came standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, and an available WiFi hotspot.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a full array of front and side-impact airbags, AdvanceTrac traction control with Roll Stability Control and Curve Control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and a child seat anchoring system. The Ford Co-Pilot360 safety system was standard on all trims, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The SEL trim offered the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package, adding adaptive cruise control and active lane centering. The Edge received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax received a five-star crash test rating from the NHTSA but did not earn a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS. The Trax came standard with airbags and a backup camera, but additional safety features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and rear parking sensors were only available through the LT Convenience Package. Rivals offered more comprehensive standard safety features, including forward-collision avoidance and automatic emergency braking, which were not available on the Trax.