2019 Honda CR-V vs. 2019 Ford Edge

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests front crash prevention systems. With a score of 6 points, IIHS rates the Collision Mitigation Braking System optional in the CR-V as “Superior.” The Edge scores only 1 point and is rated only “Basic.”

The CR-V EX/EX-L/Touring’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Edge doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the CR-V and the Edge have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Honda CR-V is safer than the Ford Edge:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Honda CR-V is safer than the Edge:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Honda CR-V is safer than the Ford Edge:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, with its optional front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the CR-V the rating of “Top Pick” for 2018, a rating granted to only 85 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Edge was not even a standard “Top Pick” for 2018.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the CR-V’s reliability 18 points higher than the Edge.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the CR-V third among compact suvs in their 2018 Initial Quality Study. The Edge isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda 12th in reliability, above the industry average. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 16th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ December 2018 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 3 places higher in reliability than Ford.

As tested in Car and Driver the CR-V 1.5T is faster than the Ford Edge turbo 4 cyl.:

On the EPA test cycle the CR-V gets better fuel mileage than the Edge:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Honda CR-V uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Edge requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The CR-V has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Edge doesn’t offer a CVT.

The CR-V stops much shorter than the Edge:

The CR-V Touring AWD handles at .82 G’s, while the Edge Titanium AWD pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the CR-V’s turning circle is 3 feet tighter than the Edge’s (37.4 feet vs. 40.4 feet). The CR-V’s turning circle is 4.6 feet tighter than the Edge ST with 22” wheels’ (37.4 feet vs. 42 feet).

The Honda CR-V may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 950 pounds less than the Ford Edge.

The CR-V is 8.2 inches shorter than the Edge, making the CR-V easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The CR-V has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Edge with its rear seat folded (75.8 vs. 73.4 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the CR-V easier. The CR-V’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 26 inches, while the Edge’s liftover is 29 inches.

If the windows are left open on the CR-V the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Edge can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The CR-V has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and fuel theft. The Edge doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The CR-V’s available headlights were rated “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Edge’s headlights are rated “Poor.”

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the CR-V is less expensive to operate than the Edge because it costs $351 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the CR-V than the Edge, including $41 less for a water pump, $416 less for a muffler, $69 less for front brake pads, $20 less for front struts, $583 less for a timing belt/chain and $298 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Honda CR-V will be $6828 to $8728 less than for the Ford Edge.

The Honda CR-V has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

J.D. Power and Associates rated the CR-V first among compact suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Edge isn’t in the top three in its category.

The CR-V was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” for 3 of the last 17 years. The Edge has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.

Motor Trend selected the CR-V as their 2018 Sport Utility of the Year. The Edge has never been chosen.

The Honda CR-V outsold the Ford Edge by almost three to one during the 2018 model year.