If you’re thinking of buying a new car, truck, or SUV, just about every model you look at is going to have multiple trim levels to choose from. Which trim level you get can affect everything from your vehicle’s style to how many safety features are included, so it’s important to get the right one for you! While automakers would always like to sell you on extra upgrades and more luxurious trims, many buyers trying to stick to their budget want to know what comes standard on a vehicle’s lowest trim level.
Today, as we take a look at the 2024 Ford Edge vs 2024 Chevy Blazer, we’re not going to delve into the laundry list of available features that you can add on for a price or upgrade to a more expensive trim level to attain. We’re going to put these two midsize SUVs head-to-head by seeing what they provide as standard fare on their base trims: the Edge SE and the Blazer 2LT. If you want to get good value on a midsize SUV that has all of the features you’re looking for at a price that fits your budget, then you’ll want to see which model comes out on top.
Looking at the powertrains, both SUVs start out on a fairly even playing field, each coming standard with a 2.0L turbocharged engine. But Ford’s is a bit more powerful, with 22 more hp and 22 more lb-ft of torque than Chevy’s engine. This means better driving dynamics, with faster acceleration to help you reach highway speeds and pass slow-moving vehicles. On top of that, the 2024 Edge (unlike the Blazer) comes standard with intelligent all-wheel drive, so you have extra traction to help you out on wet roads and uneven surfaces.
Crash Testing and Driver Assist Features
Many drivers turn to midsize SUVs because they want a family car with enough space for them and their growing kids. So, while safety is a top priority in all vehicles, it’s an especially important factor to consider in this segment. Even if you opt for the lowest trim level, you want to make sure you’re getting a model that doesn’t cut corners when it comes to safety features so you can make sure that your kids are fully protected while you’re on the road.
Both the Edge and the Blazer come standard with electronic stability control and traction control. These systems work quietly in the background to make sure that you stay in control of the vehicle in a variety of road conditions and traffic situations. Both SUVs also come with a standard suite of driver assistance features, including a warning when a forward collision is imminent, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. With these features, it’s easier to stay fully aware of the surrounding conditions and react quickly in a dangerous situation.
While that’s about it for the standard driver assistance features on the 2024 Chevy Blazer 2LT, there are a few more that come standard on the 2024 Ford Edge SE. The Edge comes standard with Ford’s BLIS, which stands for Blind Spot Information System. This lets you know when a vehicle is in your blind spot so you can change lanes more safely. Because this system is in place, the base Edge has the sensors required to offer rear cross-traffic alert as standard fare. This lets you know when vehicles are approaching from the left or right while you’re in reverse, which is helpful when you’re backing out of a space in a busy parking lot, doubly so if you have a bunch of restless kids distracting you in the back seat.
Taking a bigger-picture look at overall safety, both the Edge and the Blazer have a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reflecting good scores in crash tests and a solid suite of safety features. However, when you look at the NHTSA’s report on the administration’s recommended safety technologies, the Edge comes out ahead, meeting performance criteria for all four features. The Blazer does fine when it comes to forward collision warning and lane departure warning, but its crash imminent braking (automatic braking that kicks in if the driver fails to brake entirely in an emergency) only meets NHTSA’s criteria if you upgrade to an optional version of the system and its dynamic brake support (supplemental automatic braking that kicks in if the driver brakes, but not hard enough to avoid a collision) doesn’t meet performance criteria at all.
Technology, Comfort, and Convenience
Stepping inside, you’ll find plenty of standard infotainment features in both the Ford and the Chevy. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto let you connect your smartphone to either SUV’s interface, and both systems have features like voice recognition and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. The Blazer’s system runs through a large 10.2-inch screen, while the Edge has an even larger 12-inch display that makes reading text and seeing camera feeds easier.
When it comes to creature comforts, you’ll find a dual-zone automatic climate control system on both models, so you and your front-seat passenger can each set your own ideal temperature. The 2024 Blazer does have the advantage when it comes to cold weather since it comes standard with heated front seats. Chevy also makes it easier to adjust your position since it comes standard with a power-adjustable driver’s seat rather than a manual one. However, both models come standard with cloth upholstery and a manual-adjustable front passenger seat.
But when it comes to interior comfort, you also have to consider spaciousness, especially since that’s a big reason drivers choose SUVs over other body styles. In this category, the Edge comes out ahead in just about every way. It offers more headroom, hip room, shoulder room, and all-important legroom in both the first and second rows, so everyone on board can stretch out and get comfortable. You might think that this passenger room comes at the expense of cargo volume, but that’s not the case. The Edge has 39.2 cu.ft. of space behind the second row and 73.4 cu.ft. with the rear seats folded, while the Blazer has 30.5 cu.ft. behind the second row and 64.2 cu.ft. with the rear seats folded.
So, Who Wins?
While the 2024 Blazer has a few advantages on its side, it’s clear that the 2024 Edge brings more to the table overall when you’re looking at standard features. While Chevy also offers features like blind-spot warning and all-wheel drive on the Blazer, you have to spend some extra money to upgrade to a higher trim level or add the features à la carte. With a more capable powertrain, a more spacious interior, and a higher level of overall safety, the 2024 Ford Edge is a well-rounded SUV that can better serve the needs of its drivers and passengers with no costly upgrades required. Of course, there are still more features that can be included if you have the budget to pay for them, but you won’t be missing out on anything too important by sticking with the base model as is.
