Jeep Cherokee vs Ford Edge

Cherokee vs Edge: Which SUV Is Better Equipped to Tow?

While having ample interior cargo room is one of many reasons you might lean toward an SUV, sometimes a road trip or weekend getaway calls for a trailer. If you do a lot of towing, the Jeep Cherokee should be an obvious choice over the Ford Edge.

For the Cherokee, you can reach a maximum towing capacity of 4,500 pounds when properly equipped. This impressive towing figure comes courtesy of a 3.2L V6 engine.

With the Ford Edge, there’s a specific Class II Trailer Tow package that you must select if towing is going to be a regular occurrence for you. Even with the package in place, though, your SUV will peak at a maximum towing capacity of just 3,500 pounds when properly equipped.

While it’s true that either SUV could handle towing your ATVs or jet skis, only the Cherokee has the strength you’ll need to bring your sailboat along.

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Jeep Cherokee vs Ford Edge: Available Engines

All that towing power comes from the powerhouse under the hood. And when it comes to available engines with unique capabilities, the Jeep Cherokee has more to offer.

The Cherokee is available with three engines:

• 2L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
• 2.4L 4-cylinder engine
• 3.2L V6 engine

The Edge, on the other hand, only has two engines—a standard 2L 4-cylinder engine and an available 2.7L V6 engine. Where the Cherokee’s engines pair with a 9-speed automatic transmission, you might notice a slight lag in the Edge’s shifting since the best it can offer is an 8-speed automatic transmission.

While the engines of either vehicle are undeniably powerful, there are a few perks offered by the Jeep lineup. For one thing, you have a more comprehensive range of capabilities to choose from. Additionally, for all the power of the Ford Edge’s engines, they can’t match the Cherokee for efficiency.

Fuel Economy Estimates

No matter what your next drive might involve, getting the most miles from your fill-up is an essential part of the experience.

The Jeep Cherokee with the base 2.4L Tigershark® Multiair® 2  4-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive comes in at an EPA-estimated 22 city and 31 highway MPG.

Neither of the Ford Edge’s two available engines can match the fuel economy of even the base Jeep motor. The 2L 4-cylinder engine in the Edge will return an EPA-estimated 21 city and 29 highway MPG, while the stronger Ford 2.7L V6 engine receives just an EPA-estimated 19 city and 26 highway MPG.

Even the Jeep Cherokee’s other available engines offer either similar or better fuel economy ratings compared to the Ford Edge. The Cherokee’s 2L turbo engine can achieve an EPA-estimated 23 city and 31 highway MPG—and even the 3.2L Pentastar® V6 engine offers an EPA-estimated 20 city and 29 highway MPG.

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Cherokee vs 2021 Edge: Take It Off-Roading

If you’re familiar with the Jeep brand, it won’t come as a surprise to learn the Jeep Cherokee outperforms the Ford Edge when the terrain becomes unruly.

The available Jeep Active Drive system will automatically engage 4-wheel drive (4WD) mode when the system determines your SUV could benefit from more traction. Additionally, the available Selec-Terrain® Traction Management System allows you to manually select between an assortment of drive modes. The modes you can choose from include:

• Auto
• Snow
• Sport
• Sand and Mud
• Rock

When you head off-road, the Jeep Cherokee will be ready to tackle the challenges of any kind of terrain. The Ford Edge, on the other hand, doesn’t really come close to any of the Cherokee trim levels when off-roading, and doesn’t offer drive modes with similar capabilities.

The Edge’s available Intelligent all-wheel drive (AWD) system is built to handle slick roads more than dirt trails. Meanwhile, the Jeep Cherokee has the ability to handle either. In fact, the Jeep Cherokee even has an available Off-Road Suspension system, something not offered in the Ford Edge.

To top it all off, the Jeep Cherokee can water ford up to 19 inches. The Ford Edge isn’t rated for water fording at all. So, if your off-road adventure takes you across a pond or creek, you’ll be able to drive right through with the 2021 Cherokee.

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Cherokee vs Edge: Interior Comfort and Convenience

With room for five passengers inside either cabin, it’s clear that both SUVs have a lot of similar interior features. Both the Cherokee and Edge will offer certain amenities designed to keep you comfortable while on the road. For instance, you can fend off the winter chill with available features like:

• Heated front seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control

Additionally, both come standard with a 6-speaker audio system and advanced infotainment systems. However, there are a few places where their interior features differ.

For one thing, the Jeep Cherokee has a standard 2-position cargo floor, so you can fully take advantage of your vehicle’s cargo capacity. Additionally, the Cherokee comes standard with a Trailer Sway Damping system, something that’s only available in the Ford Edge with an extra package.