The rear seatbelts optional on the Edge inflate when a collision is detected, helping to spread crash forces over a much larger area of the body and limiting head and neck movement. This can help prevent spinal and internal injuries. The Terrain doesn’t offer inflatable seatbelts.
The Edge Titanium/Sport offers an optional 180-degree camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Terrain only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.
Both the Edge and the Terrain 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, collision warning systems, 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 Ford Edge is safer than the GMC Terrain:
Edge |
Terrain |
|
OVERALL STARS |
5 Stars |
4 Stars |
Passenger |
||
STARS |
5 Stars |
4 Stars |
New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.
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 Ford Edge is safer than the GMC Terrain:
Edge |
Terrain |
|
Front Seat |
||
STARS |
5 Stars |
4 Stars |
HIC |
71 |
79 |
Chest Movement |
.6 inches |
1.4 inches |
Abdominal Force |
118 G’s |
180 G’s |
Hip Force |
281 lbs. |
547 lbs. |
Rear Seat |
||
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
HIC |
114 |
256 |
Spine Acceleration |
45 G’s |
48 G’s |
Into Pole |
||
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
HIC |
297 |
341 |
Spine Acceleration |
53 G’s |
63 G’s |
Hip Force |
585 lbs. |
684 lbs. |
New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.
The Edge’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Terrain’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).
There are over 74 percent more Ford dealers than there are GMC dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Edge’s warranty.
To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Edge has a 590-amp battery. The Terrain only offers a standard 525-amp battery.
J.D. Power and Associates’ 2015 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford 12th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 8 more problems per 100 vehicles, GMC is ranked 16th, below the industry average.
The Edge has more powerful engines than the Terrain:
Horsepower |
Torque |
|
Edge 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. |
245 HP |
275 lbs.-ft. |
Edge 3.5 DOHC V6 |
280 HP |
250 lbs.-ft. |
Edge Sport 2.7 turbo V6 |
315 HP |
350 lbs.-ft. |
Terrain 2.4 DOHC 4 cyl. |
182 HP |
172 lbs.-ft. |
Terrain 3.6 DOHC V6 |
301 HP |
272 lbs.-ft. |
As tested in Motor Trend the Edge Sport 2.7 turbo V6 is faster than the GMC Terrain 4 cyl.:
Edge |
Terrain |
|
Zero to 60 MPH |
5.7 sec |
9.2 sec |
Quarter Mile |
14.3 sec |
16.9 sec |
Speed in 1/4 Mile |
95.9 MPH |
82.4 MPH |
On the EPA test cycle the Edge gets better fuel mileage than the Terrain:
Edge |
Terrain |
|||
2WD |
3.5 V6/6-spd. Auto |
18 city/26 hwy |
17 city/24 hwy |
3.6 V6/Auto |
4WD |
3.5 V6/6-spd. Auto |
17 city/25 hwy |
16 city/23 hwy |
3.6 V6/Auto |
2.7 turbo V6/6-spd. Auto |
17 city/24 hwy |
n/a |
In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Edge SE 2.0 ECOBoost FWD offers an optional system to automatically turn off the engine when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. (Start/Stop isn’t accounted in present EPA fuel mileage tests.) The Terrain doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.
The Edge has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Terrain doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.
The Edge stops shorter than the Terrain:
Edge |
Terrain |
||
60 to 0 MPH |
120 feet |
127 feet |
Motor Trend |
For better traction, the Edge has larger standard tires than the Terrain (245/60R18 vs. 225/65R17). The Edge Sport’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Terrain (265/40R21 vs. 235/55R18).
The Edge SE/SEL’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Terrain’s standard 65 series tires. The Edge Sport’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Terrain’s optional 55 series tires.
For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Edge SE/SEL has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Terrain. The Edge Sport’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the Terrain.
The Edge has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Terrain’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.
The Edge’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Terrain doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.
For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Edge is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 2.6 inches wider in the rear than on the Terrain.
The Edge Sport AWD handles at .87 G’s, while the Terrain SLE pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.
The Edge Sport AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.8 seconds quicker than the Terrain SLE (26.2 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 29 seconds @ .56 average G’s).
The front grille of the Edge uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Terrain doesn’t offer active grille shutters.
The Edge has 14.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Terrain (113.9 vs. 99.6).
The Edge has .4 inches more front headroom, 1.4 inches more front legroom, .8 inches more front hip room, 4.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, .7 inches more rear legroom, 6.2 inches more rear hip room and 5.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Terrain.
The Edge has a much larger cargo area with its rear seat up than the Terrain with its rear seat up (39.2 vs. 31.6 cubic feet). The Edge has a much larger cargo area with its rear seat folded than the Terrain with its rear seat folded (73.4 vs. 63.9 cubic feet).
The Edge’s cargo area is larger than the Terrain’s in almost every dimension:
Edge |
Terrain |
|
Length to seat (2nd/1st) |
41.5”/73.5” |
40.5”/70” |
Min Width |
45.1” |
37.2” |
Height |
34.4” |
34.5” |
Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Edge SEL/Titanium/Sport’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Terrain doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.
A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Edge. The Terrain doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.
To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Edge’s available cargo door can be opened just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Terrain doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its cargo door, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.
The Edge’s driver’s power window opens or closes with one touch of the window control, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths. The Terrain’s power windows’ switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully.
In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Edge SEL/Titanium/Sport’s exterior keypad. The Terrain doesn’t offer an exterior keypad entry system, and its OnStar ® can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.
Intelligent Access standard on the Edge allows you to unlock the doors, cargo door and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The GMC Terrain doesn’t offer an advanced key system.
The Edge SE/SEL’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Terrain’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted. The Edge Titanium/Sport’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield.
While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the Edge Titanium/Sport detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Terrain doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.
The Edge SEL/Titanium/Sport offers optional automatic dimming rear and side view mirrors which automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Terrain has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.
Both the Edge and the Terrain offer available heated front seats. The Edge Titanium/Sport also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Terrain.
Optional air conditioned seats in the Edge Titanium/Sport keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Terrain doesn’t offer air conditioned seats.
On extremely cold Winter days, the Edge SEL/Titanium/Sport’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Terrain doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.
The Edge SEL/Titanium/Sport’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Terrain doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.
Both the Edge and the Terrain offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Edge has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Terrain doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.
A built-in pollen filter removes pollen, exhaust fumes and other pollutants from the Edge’s passenger compartment. This helps prevent lung and/or sinus irritation, which can trigger allergies or asthma. The Terrain doesn’t offer a filtration system.
To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Edge offers an optional Titanium/Sport, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Terrain doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.
The Edge SEL/Titanium/Sport offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Terrain doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.
The Edge Titanium/Sport’s optional Active Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Terrain doesn’t offer an automated parking system.
Insurance will cost less for the Edge owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Edge will cost $260 less than the Terrain over a five-year period.
The Edge will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. Kiplinger’s estimates that the Edge will retain 37% of its original price after five years, while the Terrain only retains 32% to 34%.
The Ford Edge outsold the GMC Terrain by 9% during the 2015 model year.
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