The Escape and the Edge are two of the smaller SUVs Ford has to offer, with the Edge being the larger of the two. Both vehicles have plenty in common, including smart Ford engineering and reliability. However, they also have a lot of differences. If you're not sure which one to pick, read on and find out what makes each one unique. Size The first difference you'll notice between the Escape and the Edge is the size difference. The Escape is a compact crossover, and the Edge is the next class up. Both vehicles have plenty of space for two rows of adults, but the Edge has 40.6 inches of rear legroom while the Escape offers 37.3 inches. For cargo, the Escape has 34 cubic feet behind the second row and 68 cubic feet behind the front, and the Edge gives you 39.2 and 73.4 cubic feet. It's not a big difference, but most Edge trims also have a rear seat quick-release button. more Power Another difference between the two SUVs is the list of engines they come with and the power they offer. The smaller Escape comes with one of three engines depending on your trim choices: a 2.5 liter I-4 with normal aspiration and 165 horsepower, a turbocharged 1.5 liter EcoBoost with 179 horsepower, and a 2.0 liter EcoBoost that offers 245 horsepower. On top of the extra power, the EcoBoost engines are also more efficient than the big starting engine. The Edge also has three engines, but it starts out with the 245-horsepower 2.0 liter engine. The two middle trims replace this with a 3.5 liter V-6 engine that generates 280 horsepower, but you could also get the top Sport trim with its twin-turbo 2.7 liter V-6 that delivers 315 horsepower. Interior Features Both the 2018 Escape and the 2018 Edge come with great feature lists, but the larger Edge comes with a higher MSRP and more features for each trim level. Both trims have the SE, SEL, and Titanium trims in common, but the Escape starts with the lower S trim and the Edge ends with the higher Sport trim. On the plus side, an SUV buyer who cares more about their budget than features can get an Escape SE for around $5,000 less than an Edge SE. Safety The two 2018 SUVs have similar scores in the safety department. Both have a 5-star rating from the NHTSA, both come with seven airbags, and both have rearview cameras standard. Each crossover can have driver assistance features on higher trim levels, but while the Escape can have a driver drowsiness monitor, the Edge can have a 180-degree camera, rain-sensing wipers, and inflatable seat belts. A Ford SUV of any size is a good companion for long road trips and moving days, but it's good to have one with the right size, features, and price. So take a good look at their features and specs, and don't forget to test drive both at your local Ford dealership before you make your final decision. Photo by RL GNZLZ | Licensed under cc BY-SA 2.0
