2021 Ford Edge or Chevy Blazer? Two-Row SUV Pros and Cons Review

These two make natural competitors. The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer and 2021 Ford Edge are the same size, have two rows of seats, deliver nearly identical performance and fuel economy figures, offer four- and six-cylinder engines, and come from American automakers. That being said, the Blazer was new for 2019, whereas the current, second-gen Edge has been around since the 2015 model year. Is one of them a smarter buy? Keep reading to find out.

2021 Ford Edge: Advantages Over the Blazer

Infotainment Technology

Ford introduced a larger standard infotainment system to the Edge for 2021, and the new offering dwarfs what is available in the Blazer. Every variant from the base Edge to the top-spec model includes a 12.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. By comparison, the Blazer offers 7.0- and 8.0-inch touchscreens, and smartphone mirroring is accomplished with a wired connection.

Safety and Standard Safety Features

With its available curve-adaptive LED headlights, the 2021 Edge is a 2020 IIHS Top Safety Pick. It earns that designation with flawless crashworthiness scores plus Superior and Advanced ratings for front crash prevention. IIHS has not yet released full safety ratings for the Blazer. Both the Edge and Blazer earn five-star overall safety ratings from NHTSA, though.

Although the Edge comes with a host of standard safety features, the same can’t be said for the Blazer. Standard goodies on the Edge include automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert, auto high-beams, and forward collision warning. On the Blazer, Chevy Safety Assist isn’t standard until a few trim levels up (on the $34,000 2LT), bringing automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, forward collision alert, and auto high-beams. Blind-zone alert and rear cross-traffic alert are also upgrades.

Value

Candidly, neither of these SUVs represent great values. According to our partners at IntelliChoice, who look at depreciation, insurance, fuel, maintenance, repairs, financing, and state fees to determine five-year vehicle ownership costs, the Ford Edge is a Mediocre value, and the Blazer is rated Poor.

2021 Chevrolet Blazer: Advantages Over the Edge

Design

When Chevrolet reintroduced the Blazer nameplate for 2019, the new model was unrecognizable from its boxy, utilitarian ancestor. We called it one of Chevy’s best modern designs, successfully blending athletic Camaro styling cues with crossover utility. Even the interior incorporates aspects of the Camaro, including the sports car’s clever climate control vents. By comparison, the Edge looks a bit bland.

Driving Fun and Ride Quality

Especially in RS form, the Blazer delivers an engaging driving experience to match its sports car-inspired styling. Steering is heavier and more direct than most crossovers. The Blazer’s ride quality is compliant and comfortable but remarkably buttoned-down. We also dig the way its naturally aspirated V-6 eagerly rushes toward redline and how the nine-speed auto delivers confident, decisive shifts.

Entry Pricing

For buyers who may be stretching their budgets to afford a midsize SUV instead of a smaller compact, the Blazer offers a more accessible entry point. Pricing for the base Blazer L FWD starts at $29,995 compared to $32,495 for an entry-level Ford Edge SE FWD. That said, the Edge comes standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine; the least expensive Blazer with Chevy’s turbo-four starts at $34,295.

The Verdict

We wouldn’t call either of these SUVs wholly better than its competitor, but the Ford Edge and Chevrolet Blazer certainly have different strengths. The Ford feels like the more sensible, usable vehicle of the two, for buyers whose desires for standard safety features, value, and usable technology outweigh those for distinctive styling or sporty handling. In the other corner, the Blazer makes sense for folks who prioritize a vehicle’s character over its resume. These consumers don’t want to give up sports car design or engaging handling in their midsize SUV.

2021 Ford Edge: Pros Over the Blazer

• Infotainment technology
• Standard safety features
• Value

2021 Chevrolet Blazer: Pros Over the Edge

• Design
• Handling
• Entry prices

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