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Identifying the First-Gen Ford MustangBudget Buy Under $25k: Chevrolet Blazer vs. Ford Edge
We’ve compiled the facts on the 2020 Chevy Blazer and 2020 Ford Edge. Find out what we think in our article here.
SUVs with Style
Let’s face it: there are a lot of SUVs on the market today that perform excellently but don’t look the coolest. Some may say that this is simply a sacrifice that needs to be made, but they are dead wrong. Some companies have rolled out some impressive-looking SUVs in recent years, and the 2020 Chevy Blazer and 2020 Ford Edge are two of them.
They are designed for busy families as daily drivers and for good reason: they offer the extra space needed to carry any “accessories” that happen to come along. They are far more than grocery-getters – they’re also used as shuttles to ball games, dance recitals, and band practice – all of which come with a lot of cargo.
The Chevy Blazer and the Ford Edge may not be the roomiest SUVs (they’re mid-sizers), but they are great for families who want to have extra storage space without sacrificing great looks. Let’s take a look and see how these two compare when we put them head-to-head on a budget of $25k.
Specs
These two are neck and neck when it comes down to used mileage, so we have a great showdown here. The Chevy Blazer is the LT trim, and the Ford Edge is a SEL; both of these trims are one step up from their respective base models. Both vehicles are also FWD and, of course, they have sleek looks with their sleek headlights and streamlined roofs.
The 2020 Chevy Blazer is powered by a 3.6L V6 engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. This combination pushes out 308 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. The EPA rated this setup at 19 MPG city/26 MPG highway.
The 2020 Ford Edge packs a 250-horsepower 2.0L turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine under the hood. It features an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the combo throws down 275 lb-ft of torque.
The 2020 Ford Edge leads the way in our competition when it comes to fuel mileage. It is rated at 21 MPG city/29 MPG highway. It may not have the power of the Chevy Blazer’s V6, but you’ll be much happier if you’re looking to add fuel efficiency to your list of must-haves.
So far, we’re still in a close race. For those that prefer to have power over fuel economy, then the Chevy Blazer should be your choice. If you’re looking to sacrifice 58 horses to save at the pump, then the Ford Edge should be the one that you look at.
Driving and Performance
When it comes to driving and performance, both of our vehicles earned our respect. The 2020 Ford Edge provided a smooth ride even on rough surfaces and the steering was weighted quite nicely. It lacks a bit more feedback than we prefer, but it certainly isn’t as bland as some of its other competitors.
Acceleration was laid-back but still able to provide more than enough power for day-to-day driving. You’d have to step up to the ST trim if you want a peppier ride. The word “adequate” should be used to describe the driving and performance of the 2020 Ford Edge.
The 2020 Chevy Blazer is no longer the trail runner that it once was. Instead, this rendition is an asphalt junkie that is incredibly fun to drive. The handling is precise with plenty of driver feedback from the steering wheel. It takes twists and turns with ease, and the ride is quiet and smooth just as it should be. It feels very carlike in many ways, and the extra power from the V6 engine is engaging. It is easy to see why Chevy gave it such Camaro-like looks.
If you were to try to describe the experience in one word, it would be “fun”. That’s not a word that we use very often with SUVs.
When it comes to driving and performance, we have to look at the Chevy Blazer. It adds a fun factor to the driving experience that the Ford Edge just doesn’t have. The Ford Edge is not a slacker though and can be easily enjoyed by those who may not be looking for a thrilling driving experience.
Comfort and Interior
The interior of the 2020 Chevy Blazer doesn’t win any awards when it comes to styling. It looks like the interior that you would expect to see in a Chevy: lots of plastics and lower-end materials that simply do their job without a lot of flair. The round air vents are about the most interesting things inside other than the 8.0-inch infotainment system. The seats are comfortable though and there should be no complaints from rear-seat passengers concerning legroom.
The 2020 Ford Edge has a much more interesting interior. While we would have loved to have seen the rounded vents in its interior as well, it does a good job with the vertical slit-style vents. The materials seem better than the Chevy Blazer even if it still uses a lot of plastics. Our model had ActiveX seat material that was laid out in a tuck-and-roll fashion which gave it a performance look. They are also quite comfortable for longer trips.
The Ford Edge also comes with an 8.0-inch infotainment system. Overall, we preferred the interior of the Ford Edge to that of the Chevy Blazer. If you want a near-luxury interior on either one, you’ll have to step up to higher trim levels.
The 2020 Chevy Blazer gives drivers 31 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 64 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The Ford Edge provides 39.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This is another reason why we prefer the interior of the Ford Edge to the Chevy Blazer. It is just roomier all around.
Trims and Features
The 2020 Chevy Blazer is available in 6 different trim configurations. The L trim is the base model and comes standard with 18-inch wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, 4 USB ports, keyless ignition, keyless entry, heated mirrors, xenon headlights, a six-speaker stereo, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
The LT trim adds features like tinted glass, a spare tire, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and satellite radio to the L features.
The 2LT trim gives drivers the ability to get the 2.0L engine and AWD capability. The 3LT trim adds a remote start, roof rails, a power liftgate, leather upholstery, heated front seats, auto-dimming mirrors, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, and a blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert.
The RS trim gives the Blazer a sportier look with 20-inch wheels, blacked-out exterior features, a heated steering wheel, a hands-free liftgate, navigation, 2 more USB ports, an upgraded driver info display, ambient lighting, and a household-style power outlet.
The Premier trim is the top trim of the Blazer lineup and adds to the RS trim with a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, chrome exterior accents, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, driver seat memory settings, and faux suede cabin trim.
The 2020 Ford Edge comes in four trim levels. The SE trim includes features such as 18-inch wheels, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a rearview camera, a six-speaker sound system, Sync 3 infotainment with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, 2 USB ports, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and reclining rear seats.
The SEL trim adds faux leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, roof rails, an upgraded sound system, and a power-adjustable front passenger seat. Optional features include navigation, adaptive cruise control, and a hands-free liftgate.
The ST trim adds sporty upgrades like 20-inch wheels, faux suede seat inserts, red stitching, and black exterior appointments.
Building on the SEL trim, the Titanium trim adds 19-inch wheels, front parking sensors, a heated steering wheel, front sport seats, leather upholstery, noise-reducing front windows, a hands-free liftgate, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, ambient interior lighting, a premium 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, and automated parking.
The Verdict
This was a close competition as they both have some very appealing features. The Ford Edge gives drivers adequate power from the 2.0L turbocharged engine, and it provides more room than the Chevy Blazer. The interior was also more impressive in design.
The Chevy Blazer looks menacing on the outside with plenty of Camaro-derived visual appointments. We weren’t all that impressed by the interior of our LT test vehicle, and it suffered from a lack of space in comparison to the Ford Edge. However, it offered an exciting driving experience with incredible handling that made us think we were behind the wheel of a car instead of a mid-size SUV.
The Chevy Blazer comes out on top for us. The fact that an SUV could be fun to drive was a big deal. There are also little things such as more USB ports for all passengers that make the vehicle more attractive to the entire family. Compared to the Ford Edge, the Chevy Blazer gives up about 10 cubic feet of cargo space (this we don’t like), but the space is still very usable. When it comes to styling, the Chevy Blazer looks much cooler sitting in the driveway or pulling up to a little league baseball game than the Ford Edge.
If you’re wanting to finance either one of our picks, be sure to check out how to get the best auto loan rates here.
