2011 Ford Edge vs. Its Competition

Bengt Halvorson Senior Editor

There's no third-row seat in the 2011 Ford Edge, while many other vehicles its size have one available.

The recently redesigned Chevrolet Equinox is another five-passenger crossover well worth considering; its base 182-horsepower four-cylinder engine is adequate and very fuel-efficient, and the Equinox, while not feeling quite as upscale inside as the new Edge, is impressive for small families.

The Toyota Highlander is a bit larger inside and offers three rows of seating, along with four-cylinder or V-6 engines, but it's much more conservative in look and feel.

Those who like attractive, sporty-feeling interiors will want to consider the five-passenger Nissan Murano, while those who want a little more utility—in the way of standard all-wheel drive—should take a look at the Subaru Tribeca.

Both the Tribeca and Murano only come with larger, less fuel-efficient six-cylinder engines.

That's also the case with the Mazda CX-9; crisp handling and a sportier driving feel are what sets the Mazda apart.