2022 Ford Explorer vs Edge

The 2022 Ford Explorer is a midsize three-row SUV with seating for seven or six, with optional second-row captain’s chairs. The front seats are spacious and comfortable, and a 35/30/35 split-folding second-row bench seat gives easy access in and out of the back row. A 50/50 split folding third-row seat will give you access to cargo. Cargo space gives you 18.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 47.9 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and up to 87.8 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded down. Cloth upholstery and power-adjustable front seats are standard; leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, front sport seats, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, power-folding third-row seats, and massaging front seats are available and added to higher trims. A power liftgate and LED headlights comes standard; and an available hands-free liftgate and a cargo management system that adds under-floor storage and a reversible cargo floor is an option. A new sporty styling ST-Line trim is added to Explorer’s line-up this model year. The Explorer is available in eight trims: base, XLT, Limited, ST-Line, Timberline, ST, King Ranch and Platinum. The base Explorer has a starting price of $36,345 and ranges to a starting price of $56,985 for the Platinum.

The 2022 Ford Edge is a solid midsize SUV crossover that can seat five, with plenty of open passenger space in the front and rear. Additionally, it comes with well-cushioned and supportive front seats; but also features a lot of hard plastics in its interior. The Edge’s cargo space behind the last row is 39.2 cubic feet that expands to a maximum 73.4 cubic feet when the seats are folded down. Cloth upholstery and manually adjustable front seats are standard; synthetic or genuine leather upholstery is available with a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Options include a power-adjustable passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, driver’s seat memory settings, and leather-wrapped, heated, and power-tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. The SE is available with a new Black Appearance package that adds 19-inch gloss black wheels, black badges, and slightly tweaked bumpers, grille and exterior trim. Higher trims add simulated leather upholstery or leather upholstery, as well as more package options and larger wheels. The Edge comes in five different trim levels: SE, SEL, ST-Line, Titanium, and the performance-focused ST. Its starting price for the SE is $36,150 and ranges to $45,005 for the Edge ST.

The Ford Explorer has an impressive list of safety and tech features, including a highly rated SYNC 4 infotainment system with an 8-inch touch screen that quickly connects to your smartphone with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Six speakers, satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and four USB ports are also standard. Available features include a 10.1-inch touch screen with a portrait layout, a 12.3-inch customizable driver display, a 14-speaker Bank & Olufsen sound system, a rear-seat entertainment system, and wireless device charging. For added assistance, the Explorer comes with Ford Co-Pilot360 technology and driver-assist features to add ease and safety to your driving. Standard safety features include blind-spot monitoring, rearview camera, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and auto high-beam headlamps.

The Ford Edge also features the latest Sync 4 infotainment system which is displayed on a 12-inch vertically oriented touch screen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, four USB ports, and a six-speaker stereo are standard. Available infotainment features include a navigation system, wireless device charging, and a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. Ford has a long list of safety features that come standard with Ford’s Co-Pilot 360. These features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, rear parking sensors, and automatic high-beam headlights. Available advanced safety features include front parking sensors, front-facing camera, hands-free park assist, adaptive headlights, and adaptive cruise control.

Most Explorer's models come standard with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine and 300 horsepower, delivering a smooth and sturdy ride with its 10-speed automatic transmission and a rear-wheel-drive platform. There are two available powertrains – a hybrid V6 and a high-performance V6. The Limited and Platinum are available with the hybrid powertrain, producing a combined 318 horsepower. The ST trim will give you a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine that produces 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. The ST also comes with sport suspension and paddle shifters. Four-wheel drive comes standard in the two highest trims, but you can add four-wheel drive to the other trims for added cost; the ST trim is now available with rear-wheel drive. Estimated fuel economy is 21/28 mpg in the city and on the highway with its base engine. When properly equipped, the Explorer can tow up to 5,600.

The 2022 Ford Edge has two powertrain choices. It comes standard with a powerful turbocharged 2.0 four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and an eight-speed automatic transmission on all trims except the ST. The sporty Edge ST is more powerful and features a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine with 335 horsepower, a seven-speed automatic, and all-wheel drive. The Edge is stable and composed and delivers quick acceleration with smooth and timely shifts. You can turn your corners with ease with its light and easy steering, and take the bumps in the road without notice. It comes standard with all-wheel drive on every model; getting an impressive EPA-estimated 21/29 mpg city and highway and offers 19/26 mpg city and highway for the EcoBoost engine. This model year the Edge gets an off-road-oriented Adventure package for the SEL trim.