Let’s face it; there are a lot of options in the midsize SUV market. So how do you decide which one is right for you? The Ford Edge first hit the scene in 2007 as America’s favorite manufacturer’s answer to the midsize SUV. It’s still a strong player today, and the best way to judge its merits is to compare it to both a luxury midsize SUV and another from the mass-market line. So let’s look at how the 2022 Ford Edge compares specifically to the 2022 Cadillac XT5 and the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe. They
all walk a fine middle-of-the-road line when it comes to power, size, and price, but there are a lot of differences, as well. Let’s look at what brings these three ends of the line together and what sets the 2022 Edge apart from both its luxury and lower-end competitors.
Vroom Vroom
To first differentiate between midsize SUVs, we have to talk about their engine options. The 2022 Cadillac XT5 comes with two engines: a 2.0L Turbo I-4 and 3.6L V6. The 2.0L offers 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the much larger 3.6L brings 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. At the other end of the spectrum, the Santa Fe comes with only a 2.5L I-4, but you have the choice between regular and turbocharged versions of it. The regular 2.5L I-4 has 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, while the turbo brings an extra 90 horses and 130 more pound-feet of torque.
It’s important to note that when we’re looking at contemporary engines, we’re looking at more than just straight horsepower. Torque can not be underestimated as an important metric for judging modern motors. Torque is how the engine uses its power, so it’s what helps you get off that red light line and also more comfortably fit into the flow of highway traffic. After all, most of us spend our driving lives merging onto highways or taking off from downtown streetlights. Often, both in the same commute!
Therefore, the 2022 Ford Edge’s engine is what you want to look at when searching for a midsize SUV. It comes with either a 2.0L EcoBoost Turbo I-4 or a 2.7L EcoBoost V6. The 2.0L comes to 250 horsepower, which puts it solidly above the base engines in the other two models. The 2.7L simply overwhelms its competitors with 335 horses. When it comes to the all-important torque, both Edge engines again dominate the competition at 280 lb-ft and 380 pound-feet, respectively.
Not only does the 2.7L Edge engine beat the “luxury” XT5’s much larger 3.6L engine in both horsepower and torque, but it is also quite efficient when looking at gas mileage. Both engines get the same EPA-estimated 21 miles per gallon combined when equipped with all-wheel drive (Ford dropped the less capable front-wheel drive from the Edge’s lineup for 2022). When they’re that close, why would you choose the larger engine with less power?
Now in comparison, the Hyundai Santa Fe’s 2.5L engines average, at best, 26 miles per gallon combined. The average commute these days is 39 miles a day. As the Sante Fe engines are lacking in terms of power compared to those in the Edge, it’s up to you to decide if the miles in your individual commute are worth more than the power needed to merge onto the highway or take off from downtown red lights. It’s worth betting that most drivers will notice the extra oomph to the Edge’s engines over the bit of money they might save as a gas pump.
Size that Matters
When comparing the 2022 Ford Edge to its luxury counterpart, the Cadillac XT5, and also to the mid-market Hyundai Santa Fe, it’s interesting to note that all three offer extremely similar amounts of cargo space. The XT5 provides 30 cubic feet of rear cargo space or 63 cubic feet with the second row of seats folded down. The Santa Fe is roughly two inches shorter in overall length but actually offers more cargo space – 36.4 cubic feet in the back or 72.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. Proportionally raising the stakes, the 2022 Ford Edge falls in the middle when it comes to overall length but brings more cargo space than either of its counterparts. Inside the Ford, you will find 39.2 cubic feet behind the second row of seating or a whopping 73.4 cubic feet with the second row of seats folded.
Besides offering less cargo space, the longer length of the luxury Cadillac XT5 does not translate to more passenger space, as the Ford Edge easily beats it by over an inch in both front-row and second-row legroom. The Ford Edge also has a whopping three more inches in second-row hip room, meaning passengers will be far more comfortable than in the more “upscale” XT5. Ironically, the smaller Santa Fe offers more passenger space competition than the larger XT5. But, the way we look at it, the power of the Edge more than makes up for the wee bit of Santa Fe interior size advantage.
The Bottom Line
Let’s be real – when you’re looking for a midsize SUV, or, well, any vehicle, the price has to be a consideration. If you don’t care about price, why are you here and not just handing your credit card over at your local luxury car lot? Well, we’re glad you’re here. Especially as these three vehicles are so different in MSRP – even though these days, actual prices can vary from day to day, or even hour by hour, based on supply chain issues. At this moment, the Cadillac XT5 comes in at $43,995. In contrast, the Hyundai Santa Fe is listed at $27,200. Right in the middle, price-wise, despite offering more in power and space, is the 2022 Ford Edge at $34,905.
Now, as mentioned, supply chain issues, from microchips to tires to seating fabric, are affecting the automotive industry as a whole. In addition, there are many options across the 2022 Cadillac XT5, Ford Edge, and Hyundai Santa Fe line ups, which can add even more variety to their pricing. Please check with your local dealership for current pricing, no matter which midsize SUV you’re leaning toward. Your local dealer will help confirm which vehicle is right for you and negotiate fair pricing to make that midsize SUV fit your budget.
Edging Out the Competition
While the 2022 Ford Edge might be in the middle of the Cadillac XT5 and Hyundai Santa Fe when it comes to price, it’s safe to say its engine power and cargo space place it well at the front of the midsize SUV pack. The 2022 Ford Edge also has a bunch of features that you might not think matter but totally make your life easier on a day-to-day basis. These include push-button start (being able to leave your keys in your purse or pocket is a game-changer), capless fuel filling (no more touching dirty gas caps), and four smart-charging USB ports so you and your passengers can keep your smartphones or other devices up to speed.
Ford has been a major front-runner of the U.S. automotive industry for well over a century. In 1901, Henry Ford beat out the top race car of the era, Alexander Winton’s 70-horsepower Bullet. Now, 121 years and 265 horses later, the 2022 Ford Edge is clearly superior to the Cadillac XT5 and the Hyundai Santa Fe. It might seem like a comfortable midsize SUV, but it truly offers much more than meets the eye.
