Crossover SUVs have become increasingly popular in today’s automotive market. They have the handling of a sedan or coupe, and the functionality of a sport utility vehicle. Well, sort of. Crossover SUVs, such as the 2019 Ford Edge and the 2019 Nissan Murano, are really only SUVs in name. They are much closer in size and handling to cars than they are the size and utility of SUVs. Still, there is a market for them. There is a market for everything in the vehicular world. But, when you pit the 2019 Ford Edge vs 2019 Nissan Murano, you will see that this market is quite small.
Maybe the word “small” is a bit derisive. We should say it is more” niche” or “unique” because that is what these two vehicles are. They are not for everybody, but they are certainly for somebody. They will not blow you away with engine power. You will not get lost in their cavernous interiors. They are not ahead of any particular technological curve. They simply are. Check out how the 2019 Ford Edge and the 2019 Nissan Murano compare in a few key areas below and see if you agree.
Engines
For most new car buyers, the engine is one of the main selling points, not THE main selling point. However, with today’s automotive market being as wide as it is, especially with SUVs, engines don’t necessarily make or break every decision. Still, every new vehicle has to have capable engines, and both the 2019 Ford Edge and the 2019 Nissan Murano deliver there.
The 2019 Ford Edge has two engine options based on which trim level you choose. The first is a turbocharged (EcoBoost) 2.0 liter inline 4-cylinder that gets 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. That is not a particularly impressive engine, but Ford still has one more to offer. The other engine, available only on the ST trim level, is a much more impressive 2.7 liter V6 with 335 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque.
The only available engine on the 2019 Nissan Murano is a 3.5 liter V6 with 260 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque. Depending on what you are looking for, that engine is either comparable with he base Edge engine or a step above. At best, it is somewhere in between.
When it comes to engines, it is quite clear that the 2019 Ford Edge wins this head to head. The 2019 Nissan Murano has an adequate engine, but the 2019 Ford Edge has an equally adequate engine and a much better one.
Interior Space
Believe it or not, interior space is a huge selling point with just about any vehicle, save motorcycles. And even motorcycles have places for storage. Clearly, people want as much room as they can squeeze out of a vehicle, even if it is a crossover SUV.
In this head to head, the 2019 Ford Edge is the clear winner, and it isn’t even close. Not only does the 2019 Ford Edge have more overall interior volume, but it also beats out the 2019 Nissan Murano in every area, from passenger space to cargo room.
Interior space, as far as passenger comfort is concerned, is measured in head room, leg room, hip room, and shoulder room. These are calculated for both front and back seats. The 2019 Ford Edge beats out the 2019 Nissan Murano in every single one of those categories. The Edge is far roomier for the driver and passengers. Additionally, the leg room in the 2019 Ford Edge, in both the front and back seats, is about two inches more than in the 2019 Nissan Murano. Sure, head room is important. Most of us wouldn’t really notice a difference in shoulder or hip room. Leg room, on the other hand, is far more noticeable than any of those others. You need as much room to stretch out as you can get. Two inches may not seem like much on paper (or a web page), but it is a massive difference when you’re sitting in a crossover SUV.
Cargo space also comes into play when looking at interior space. The 2019 Nissan Murano has 37.0 cubic feet of cargo room behind the back seat. When the back seat is down, that number jumps up to 67 cubic feet. The 2019 Ford Edge has 39.2 cubic feet of room behind the back seat and 73.4 cubic feet when the back seat is down.
If you are looking at the Ford Explorer vs Nissan Pathfinder, or the Nissan Armada vs Ford Expedition, those numbers might look small and inconsequential. But, in comparing the 2019 Ford Edge to the 2019 Nissan Murano, these numbers are far more important. When you have limited space to begin with, your limited space becomes extremely precious.
The 2019 Ford Edge is the hands-down winner here.
Safety
Given that SUVs of all shapes and sizes are becoming increasingly popular as family and commuter vehicles, all of the available safety features become major selling points. SUVs are no longer relegated to being off-road vehicles or “playthings.” They are legitimate family vehicles, and they have proven their right to be in this honored class.
Part of earning the right to be called a family vehicle is the number of safety measures you include. These safety measures can include anything from the number of airbags to more modern features like a rearview camera. Both the 2019 Nissan Murano and the 2019 Ford Edge include these and many more.
For as much as Ford has been a pioneer in the automotive world, for years and years and years, they are not particularly progressive in safety features, at least not in the crossover market. The 2019 Nissan Murano is far more the safer vehicle in this contest.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is one of the leading voices on what makes a vehicle safe. The 2019 Ford Edge was deemed GOOD/ACCEPTABLE on their categories, while the 2019 Nissan Murano was rated GOOD across the board. Additionally, the 2019 Nissan Murano was rated SUPERIOR when it comes to braking, while the 2019 Ford Edge was rated BASIC. That’s the equivalent of comparing The Godfather to Weekend at Bernie’s. Not Weekend at Bernie’s 2, the original. We all know that braking ability is an incredibly important safety feature. The 2019 Ford Edge simply is not in the same league.
The 2019 Nissan Murano has a ton of highly valued safety features that the 2019 Ford Edge simply does not have. Among them are Active Head Restraints, Driver Alert, Around View Monitor, and Back Seat Reminder. Nissan has clearly made a more cognizant effort to make sure its drivers are safe, in both active and passive measures.
The 2019 Nissan Murano is a fine vehicle, but the 2019 Ford Edge is slightly finer. It has the engine options and interior space to beat its competitor. The 2019 Nissan Murano has a better safety score, and that’s about it. Nowadays, crossover SUVs are rising in popularity in the automotive industry and making their way into almost every manufacturer’s lineup. With sedans slowly being erased from the chalkboard, you’ll be sure to see more crossovers on the roads next to you. It’s just up to you to decide which one you rather, which one you can smile about every time you sit in that seat.
