Another American Civil War is brewing, and it’s between two of the nation’s top car companies. Since the beginning of the 20th century, Ford and Chevrolet have been going head-to-head on different models from sports cars, pick-up trucks, sedans, and now sports utility vehicles. The United States has been giving an equal amount of love to the two major powerhouses and the sales numbers for both are not lying.

We’ve noticed an increase in the popularity of SUVs in the last few years and have become accustomed to certain features and perks that come standard in most models. In the compact crossover / SUV space, the Ford Edge and Chevy Equinox both score high in certain parts but disappointments are inevitable. Depending on what your needs and expectations are, you just might not be satisfied with what it is that these cars have to offer.

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Overview

Both models are good-looking compact crossovers with athletic body styles and are built like heavyweights which can take a beating. Both of their sporty personalities stand out and even hold their own when compared to SUV leaders like the Jeep Cherokee and Subaru Outback.

Now, what is it that drivers want most; is it better fuel economy, more cargo space, or better performance to tear away from the pack and leave everybody in the dust? If the last one is what you seek, maybe a sports car is more for you. Regardless, the answers are yes, yes, and yes, and with the new advancement in technology and performance, why can’t they have it all?

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Performance And Capability

Blue Ford Edge ST
Ford

Under the hood is where you’ll notice some differences between the two models. The 2023 Equinox Premier is the highest trim level Chevy offers and certain improvements have been made in years past. The Premiere features a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with a six-speed automatic transmission. This improved engine will pump out 175 horsepower with a top speed of 120 mph. However, the Premiere still has only an adequate rating from drivers where speed is concerned.

Ford’s Edge ST is the king of the hill as far as trim levels are concerned and all hail to the king. The Edge's 2.7-liter turbocharged engine packs 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque under its hood and is insanely fast for a vehicle in this category. It features an eight-speed automatic transmission, with an impressive top speed of 130 miles per hour. From a standstill it responds quicker than Alexa or Siri combined, giving the Edge superior acceleration compared to other mid-sized SUVs.

Silver 2023 Chevrolet Equinox Premier
Chevrolet

It can go from 0-60 mph in less than six seconds, for those necessary quick getaways from the soccer field, because soccer moms just love this car. With the suspension and brakes upgraded for this model, the Ford handles extremely well on corners and provides excellent performance. However, the handling of the corners trophy actually goes to the Equinox Premier. By it being close to six inches shorter, it hugs the corners better than the Ford for a much tighter driving experience.

The Edge ST and Equinox Premiere will have no problem in the rain and snow. They feature all-wheel drive and improved traction and better grip on the road than in years passed, both cars are very much improved in this aspect.

If you’re the type that needs to haul things, a camper, trailer, or tiny home, it would behoove you to take a closer look at the Edge ST, for it has a higher towing capacity than the Equinox Premier. While the Premiere can pull a 1500-pound load, it is still no comparison to the whopping 3,500-pound towing capacity that the Edge has.

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Technology And Safety

2023 Ford Edge ST cabin
Ford

The Edge has a new upgraded infotainment system with a 12.2-inch screen that debuted in last year’s model dwarfing the seven-inch screen that comes in the Premiere, which has a much more minimalistic set-up that is simple and easy to use. Who doesn’t need the latest technology at their fingertips? This is what we want nowadays in the era of instant information.

2023 Chevrolet Equinox cabin
Chevrolet

These two vehicles come equipped with the latest in technology with the Edge and Equinox neck in neck in that department. Featuring blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking, drivers of either vehicle will not have to worry and will feel safe as they cruise down the road. All crash tests were aced by both cars and though neither is a top safety pick in their respective categories, they still received good ratings on forward collision avoidance.

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Cargo Capacity

2023 Chevrolet Equinox trunk
Chevrolet

If you plan on filling the back of these SUVs up, you'll find yourself in luck. Owning vehicles this size demands a need for a spacious trunk or rear cargo area and both of these SUVs deliver big on that front. The Equinox Premier improved drastically from a much smaller cargo space in previous years to have 63 cubic inches with the rear seats lowered. The Edge ST counters with a spacious 73.4 inches also with the seats lowered. Here, size definitely matters, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

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Price

gold edge
three quarter right shot in showroom

In the end, it is evident that the Ford Edge ST is a superior sports utility vehicle when put against the Equinox Premiere. It has it beat in almost all aspects and categories except for two, fuel economy and sticker price. The Premiere comes out on top with fuel economy, though not by much. It has the Edge ST beat by only a few miles giving it 26 MPG city and 31 MPG on the highway, to the Edge ST’s 21 MPG City and 28 MPG on the highway.

There is about a $15,000 difference in starting price with drivers who choose the Edge ST having to shell out that much more. I doubt they care, for what they get in return is a lot more than what they would have gotten if they owned the Premier. Here, the Edge has the edge.