Ford Edge vs Mazda CX-5 vs Kia Sorento: What's the Best Buy?

Let's take a look at the Ford Edge vs Mazda CX-5 vs Kia Sorento showdown. They aren't the bestselling SUVs out there, but these small to mid-size crossover SUVs are popular.We're only going to look at the standout features, the things that might woo a shopper from one carmaker to the next. Which is the better buy: the 2017 Ford Edge, the 2017 Mazda CX-5, or the 2017 Kia Sorento?Price Check in Lane ThreeBudget is nearly always a primary motivator. Without factoring in the options, check out the entry-level MSRP for our three competitors, then the price point of the fully loaded models.Mazda CX-5The bottom Mazda CX-5 trim is the Mazda CX-5 Sport. Its MSRP begins at $24,045 plus destination and PDI. At the upper end of its scale, the CX-5 Grand Touring is still under $30,000 with an MSRP of $29,395. Looking at the other models, you have to wonder if there can truly be that wide of a price disparity among vehicles in the same segment?Ford EdgeFor 2017, the Ford Edge SE, the bottom trim level, starts out at $28,950. It’s under $30,000 until you factor in the new vehicle prep and destination charges. At the top end, you’ll find the 2017 Ford Edge Sport with a starting price tag of $40,400. That’s toeing the line for premium and luxury SUV pricing.Kia SorentoThe 2017 Sorento L kicks off its lineup with an MSRP of $25,600, hanging in quite close to the Mazda crossover. If you ramp your choice up to the Sorento SXL V6, you’ll be spending $44,100 plus dealer fees to get in the driver’s seat.The pricing differences are alarming, but then the Kia Sorento is an affordable SUV with third row seating. The Mazda CX-5 clearly is the best-priced model, taking the win here. But what is it you’re getting for $10,000 more in the other models, and will it be a deal-breaker?I Love TechnologyFord EdgeAll right, so Ford has a handle on the technology aspect. A foot-activated tailgate option is well-known, and Ford is constantly doing well with the SYNC 3 system. Tack on heated and cooled front seats and navigation with pinch-to-zoom capability and it’s looking good already.But not so fast. There's Adaptive Cruise Control available, which is awesome. The 2017 Ford Edge also has Enhanced Active Park Assist with perpendicular and parallel parking features available, but that’s a bone of contention. The systems apparently operate too slow to be comfortably used in real-life situations.Mazda CX-5Mazda’s options seem a little more pedestrian than the Ford Edge. That said, they’re extremely functional. The 2017 Mazda CX-5 has an available Active Driving Display – essentially a head-up display – that does precisely as intended to keep your eyes on the road.That’s in addition to Mazda Radar Cruise Control and another cool option: Traffic Sign Recognition. You could potentially save yourself from speeding tickets thanks to the forward-facing camera that detects traffic signs and alerts you.Kia SorentoHeated and ventilated front seats are available, as is Advanced Smart Cruise Control and Surround View Monitor. Most other options you’ll find on any other upper trim level on other brands, except for the Smart Power Liftgate. You don’t need hands (or feet) to activate the liftgate, just the key fob in your pocket while you stand behind your Sorento. Of course, now there's the risk your key fob can get hacked.Despite its flawed parking systems, the Ford Edge takes the win for technology. Its options are simply more developed than the others, even if you never use the Enhanced Active Park Assist.Who’s Got the Looks?It’s such a subjective category, but it’s one that matters to so many buyers. So let’s weigh in on the looks.Kia SorentoLike the Ford Edge, the 2017 Kia Sorento is in its third model year of its current design, but it’s the Sorento’s third generation. It looks a touch dated. When I look at the Kia Sorento, I can’t help but be reminded of cheaply made Korean cars from 15 years ago.It looks toy-like and plasticky, with hints of “let’s just slap it together and see if it sells." Obviously, that’s not the case but it tells you the Sorento is underwhelming in appearance.Ford EdgeSomething about the Ford Edge screams pretentious to me. Maybe it’s all the straight lines, the chrome flair, the very stock-looking wheels. Sure, it looks all right, but I wouldn’t really want to be seen driving the Edge if I want to make an entrance.The 2017 Ford Edge is the third year in the second generation, so it looks a tiny bit tired and dated. A redesign could help freshen up its desirability.Mazda CX-5For 2017, the Mazda CX-5 is all-new. And I’ll be damned if Mazda didn’t hit a home run with the CX-5’s looks. The grille and front bumper are extremely attractive, the stance and body lines are captivating, and the wheels are outrageously fitting a vehicle with such attitude. Simply put, I love it.Sexy lines and a fresh new look give the Mazda CX-5 this categorical win.Race to the FinishIt could be a photo finish, folks, because powertrains are where it gets really interesting.Ford EdgeThe Ford Edge offers three engines, depending on what trim level you choose. There’s a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-banger with 245 horsepower, a 3.5-liter V6 with 280 horsepower, and the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 with 315 screaming ponies.Each of the Ford Edge trims can be equipped as either a front-wheel-drive or an all-wheel-drive variant. The Ford powertrains clearly have it going on.Fuel efficiency is decent. The 2.0-liter achieves 20 mpg city/29 mpg hwy, the 3.5-liter manages 17 mpg city/26 mpg highway, and the EcoBoost 2.7-liter gets 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway. Great power with decent fuel economy…let’s see how this goes for Ford.Mazda CX-5The 2017 redesign for Mazda cuts engine options down to one. Across all three trim levels, only the 2.5-liter SKYACTIV-G engine is available. It produces just 187 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque.It’s available in either a FWD or Predictive I-ACTIV AWD system for optimal traction no matter where you drive. And fuel mileage is quite acceptable, coming in at 31 mpg highway/24 mpg city for the FWD option and 29 mpg highway/23 mpg city in the AWD versions.Power is lacking in the Mazda CX-5 if you have a hankering for performance. Anyone who gets a thrill from acceleration might want to get a lobotomy before buying the CX-5.Kia SorentoThe 2017 Kia Sorento comes with three engine choices, targeting three different demographics. The base engine is a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder with 185 horsepower for the tame drivers. Next is a 3.3-liter V6 with 240 horsepower for middle-of-the road customers. Those with a desire for more power and performance have the option of a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 290 horsepower, which is almost too much for the Sorento.FWD and AWD are available on all the trim levels, from the Sorento L all the way to the SXL V6. The 185-horsepower option gets 21 mpg city/28 mpg highway, the 240-horsepower engine achieves 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway, and the 290-horsepower turbo power plant gets 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway. Respectable numbers, to be sure.It's a close race between the Ford Edge and Kia Sorento for powertrains. Mazda is easily back of the pack, playing catch-up. Because of the wide range of engine options, the 2017 Kia Sorento squeaks out the win by the tiniest of margins, although you could easily argue for the Ford Edge to win.Overall, in these real-world categories, the 2017 Kia Sorento holds its own but can’t stack up with the Ford or Mazda. It gets third place.The Ford Edge is an extremely worthy competitor, especially in the technology category. But overall, it has to be the 2017 Mazda CX-5 that takes the title as the best buy.Unless high-performance SUV driving is a must-have, the price disparity between the Ford Edge and the Mazda CX-5 isn’t made up in the other categories.

Ford Edge vs Mazda CX-5 vs Kia Sorento: Which Is the Better Buy?

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