2021 Dodge Durango vs 2020 Ford Edge

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 cabin showed its age with an awkward button layout and heavy use of hard plastics, though it did offer soft-touch materials and solid fit-and-finish. The Edge was available in SE, SEL, Titanium, and ST trims, each offering various features, from the basic SYNC 3 infotainment system to the performance-oriented ST with a powerful engine and sportier styling.

The 2021 Dodge Durango maintained its muscular stance and athletic styling since its third generation debut in 2011. Built alongside the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Durango stood out with its unique design, especially in the high-performance SRT Hellcat model, which featured a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, and LED headlamps. The Durango offered a variety of wheel options and came in 11 exterior colours with six interior schemes. Inside, the cabin boasted a new instrument panel and either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen with the Uconnect 5 system. The Durango's interior became more premium with higher trims, offering options like leather and suede upholstery. The updates aligned the Durango with Dodge's muscle cars, providing a model for nearly every buyer, from track-ready equipment to fine appointments.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered solid low-end acceleration, suitable for city driving, though it struggled at higher speeds. The Edge's suspension was designed to handle rough roads, providing a smooth yet engaging ride. The sporty Edge ST variant featured a 2.7-litre twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, with standard all-wheel drive. The ST offered a more dynamic driving experience, with heavy steering and excellent cornering, enhanced by a Sport mode and available performance brake package.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered four engine options: a 3.6-litre V6, a 5.7-litre HEMI V8, a 392 HEMI V8, and a supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI V8. All engines were paired with eight-speed automatic transmissions, with AWD standard in Canada. The V6 engine produced up to 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, while the 5.7-litre V8 in the R/T trim delivered 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. The SRT 392 featured a 392 HEMI V8 with 475 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The SRT Hellcat's supercharged 6.2-litre V8 produced 710 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque, offering smooth acceleration and precise steering. The Durango's chassis showed its age, with a reactive suspension that transmitted bumps to the cabin. The SRT models included performance pages and configurable drive modes, enhancing the driving experience.

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 adjusting the front seats. While it lacked a third row, the Edge's 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 liftgate.

The 2021 Dodge Durango was a versatile family hauler with seating for up to seven across three rows. The front and second-row seats were spacious, accommodating taller passengers, while the third row offered more space than many competitors. The Durango's cargo space was average for its class, functioning as expected. Dodge improved the Durango's fit and finish, earning awards for initial vehicle quality. The Durango's midsize packaging and athletic design made it a practical choice for families, standing out from bulkier models like the Nissan Armada and Ford Expedition.

The 2020 Ford Edge featured the SYNC 3 infotainment system as standard across all trims, with an 8-inch touchscreen that was user-friendly and included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The system's intuitive interface made navigation easy, with a helpful home button and a row of icons for quick access to various functions. The Edge also came with two smart-charging USB ports and a rearview camera. Higher trims offered a semi-digital instrument panel with dual screens.

The 2021 Dodge Durango's technological centrepiece was the Uconnect 5 system, available on higher trims with a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The system was five times faster than its predecessor, offering user profiles, connected services, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Durango also featured a rear-seat family entertainment system with a Blu-ray and DVD player and two 9-inch screens. The gauge cluster's design made it difficult to read the speedometer, but the TomTom navigation system was a standout feature, providing clear graphics and quick response times.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front and side-impact airbags, AdvanceTrac traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Ford Co-Pilot360 safety system was standard on all trims, offering 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 Dodge Durango's safety features were less comprehensive, with a standard back-up camera and federally mandated passive safety features. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and forward-collision warning. The Durango received a "Marginal" rating from the IIHS for small overlap frontal impact and a five-star side crash-test rating from the NHTSA.