If you have been keeping up with the auto industry these days, you may have noticed that compact crossovers are dominating the streets. As the perfect balance between a fuel-efficient hatchback and a large SUV, these petite models pack a powerful punch. They are ideal for families, people with lots of friends, and even dog owners. In this article, we will pit two of the most popular compact crossovers against each other in a battle for supremacy! Get ready for the competition between the 2020 Ford Edge vs 2020 Honda Passport.
Performance
The important thing to remember about compact crossovers is that they are the epitome of balance. That means they should be capable of performing well in the city and the wild outdoors. Most of the time, folks who want a compact SUV are looking for something that is more fuel-efficient as well. Keeping those things in mind, let’s pop the hoods on these two vehicles and take a peek inside!
The 2020 Ford Edge is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission and FWD. AWD is optional, and the standard powertrain pushes out 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. This model has an estimated fuel economy set at 24 MPG combined (21 city/29 highway), and it can two between 1,500 and 3,500 pounds with no problem. If you opt for the ST model, it will come with a robust twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 engine rumbling under the hood. This motor pumps the performance up to 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. While that drops the gas mileage down to 21 MPG combined (19 city/26 highway), it also pushes the maximum towing capacity up to 3,500 pounds. It’s a give-and-take situation that all depends on what you need for your daily driving style.
On the other hand, all Honda Passport models use a 3.5-liter V6 engine mated with a 9-speed automatic transmission and FWD. AWD is optional on all trims except the Elite model. It’s standard for the Elite. This powertrain generates 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, which is surprisingly low for a V6 motor. It has an estimated fuel economy set at 22 MPG combined (20 city/25 highway), and it can pull up to 5,000 pounds.
What you should take away from this comparison are the fuel economy and the choices. With the Ford Edge, you have more than one option, and you get better gas mileage. Even the V6 option on the Edge ST produces more horsepower and torque than the Honda Passport.
Seating and Space
First, let’s get one main similarity out of the way. Both vehicles can carry up to five people. That’s level across the playing field. However, things change when you look at the cargo space. The 2020 Ford Edge offers a whopping 39.2 cubic feet of room behind the back seats. That’s more than double the cargo space of any sedan or hatchback. Furthermore, you can fold the back row down to grow the area to 73.4 cubic feet.
Meanwhile, the Honda Passport offers 41.2 cubic feet behind the back row, and it has a maximum cargo area of 77.9 cubic feet. While that is slightly larger than the Edge, it isn’t much of a difference.
Standard Interior Features
Next, we are going to slip behind the wheels of both models to see how they compare as far as standard interior features go.
First, let’s look at the Ford Edge SE. This base model is extremely well-equipped. It comes with the Sync 3 infotainment interface that is displayed on a large 8-inch touchscreen. Compatible with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, this system even comes with a 4G LTE Wifi hotspot. You can make/receive calls hands-free, send text messages, stream your favorite playlist, and even use apps. The 6-speaker stereo system offers high-quality sounds, and a slew of safety features are also included. These are rear cross-traffic alert, emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blindspot monitoring, and forward collision warning.
On the flip-side, the Honda Passport base model (Sport) falls a bit short on some of these standard features. While it does come with a 6-speaker stereo and Bluetooth connectivity, the infotainment touchscreen is only 5-inches. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not standard. However, it does come with the Honda Sensing safety suite. This package includes collision mitigation braking and road departure mitigation.
What you can take away from this round is that the Ford Edge offers many more high-tech features on the base model.
Premium Trims
Now that we’ve looked at the base models, it’s time to step things up quite a bit. Since both are available in four trims, let’s look at the top-tier models next.
The Ford Edge Titanium gets full leather upholstery and heated front seats for comfort during the winter months. A navigation system has been installed to help you get to your desired destination as quickly as possible, and ambient lighting throughout the cabin allows you to set a relaxing mood. On the outside, it includes roof rails, a power liftgate, LED fog lights, and heated side mirrors with LED turn signal indicators.
Meanwhile, the Honda Passport Elite also comes with heated leather seating with a cooling feature. Compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are thrown into the mix, and a larger 8-inch touchscreen has been installed. It also comes with rain-sensing wipers and auto-dimming, power-folding heated side mirrors that have integrated turn signal indicators.
While both premium trims are comparable, the Ford Edge Titanium just makes more sense with its navigation system.
Standard Exterior Features
It isn’t enough to simply know what’s on the inside of a vehicle. Exterior features can serve practical purposes as well.
The Ford Edge SE comes standard with black mirror caps, rear privacy glass, and body-colored door handle. Rolling on 18-inch wheels, it also includes a rear spoiler, stainless steel dual exhaust tips, and LED exterior lighting.
On the other hand, the standard exterior features on the Honda Passport Sport include rear privacy glass, dual exhaust finishers, LED daytime running lamps, fog lights, automatic high beams, and 20-inch wheels.
Which one reigns supreme for exterior features is entirely up to you. It depends more on your personal style than anything else.
Exterior Paint Colors
One of the things that some people may overlook when searching for a new vehicle is the paint options. While it might not make or break a deal, it can certainly change things a bit.
The Ford Edge is available in nine beautiful shades. These include Agate Black, Star White, Iconic Silver, Magnetic, Desert Gold, Rapid Red, Dark Persian Green, Burgundy Velvet, and Atlas Blue.
Once again, coming up short, the Honda Passport is only offered in eight different colors, including Deep Scarlet Pearl, Platinum White Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic, Black Copper Pearl, Crystal Black Pearl, Black Forest Pearl, and Obsidian Blue Pearl.
If you are the type of person who appreciates a variety of paint colors, powerful engines, plenty of cargo space, and plenty of onboard tech, then you may prefer the Ford Edge over the Honda Passport.
