Compare the2023 BMW X3VS 2023 Ford Edge

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The X3’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Edge doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The X3 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Edge doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The X3 offers an optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Edge doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the X3’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Edge doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The X3 offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Edge only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the X3 and the Edge have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW X3 is safer than the Ford Edge:

	X3	Edge
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	102	212
Neck Injury Risk	21%	22.4%
Neck Stress	202 lbs.	229 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	116/280 lbs.	165/596 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	176	282
Neck Stress	139 lbs.	197 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	183/114 lbs.	145/201 lbs.

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 BMW X3 is safer than the Ford Edge:

	X3	Edge
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	64	84
Chest Movement	.5 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	153 lbs.	190 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	16 inches

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X3 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 128 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Edge is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

Warranty

The X3 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Edge’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The X3’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Edge’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X3 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Ford doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Edge.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X3 first among compact premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Edge isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Ford is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Ford is ranked 18th.

Engine

The X3 M40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 47 more horsepower (382 vs. 335) than the Edge ST’s standard 2.7 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the X3 s/xDrive30i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Ford Edge turbo 4 cyl.:

	X3	Edge
Zero to 60 MPH	6.7 sec	7.6 sec
Quarter Mile	15.1 sec	15.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91.5 MPH	89.3 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the X3 gets better mileage than the Edge:

			MPG
X3
	RWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/29 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/28 hwy
		3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	21 city/26 hwy
Edge
	AWD	2.7 turbo V6	19 city/25 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the X3’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Edge doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X3 has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Edge. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Transmission

The X3 M40i’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Edge doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

The X3’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the Edge AWD are solid, not vented.

The X3 stops much shorter than the Edge:

	X3	Edge
70 to 0 MPH	158 feet	187 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	112 feet	129 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The X3’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Edge SE/SEL’s standard 60 series tires. The X3’s optional 275/35R21 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Edge ST’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X3 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Edge SE/SEL.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X3 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Edge doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The X3 offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Edge’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The X3’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49% to 51%) than the Edge’s (57.8% to 42.2%). This gives the X3 more stable handling and braking.

The X3 M40i xDrive handles at .88 G’s, while the Edge Titanium pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X3 M40i xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.3 seconds quicker than the Edge Titanium (25.9 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 28.2 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the X3 easier. The X3’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.5 inches, while the Edge’s liftover is 29.6 inches.

Towing

The X3’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Edge’s (4400 vs. 1500 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The engine in the X3 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Edge. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Ford. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 28% lower rating, Ford is ranked 22nd.

Ergonomics

The X3 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Edge doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The X3’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Edge’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the X3 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote or with the driver’s door power window switch. The driver of the Edge can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The X3’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Edge’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The X3’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Edge’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Poor.”

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X3 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Edge doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The X3’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford only offers heated mirrors on the Edge SEL/ST-Line/ST/Titanium.

When the X3 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Edge’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The X3’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Edge Titanium/ST’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Model Availability

The X3 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Edge doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the X3 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the X3 with a number “5” insurance rate while the Edge is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW X3 and the Ford Edge, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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