Poll: Ford Edge or Nissan Murano?

Crossovers are the go-to vehicle for 21st century drivers. They offer a pleasing blend of comfort, capacity and capability.

But what about style? Well, most of these car-based utilities are pretty utilitarian, with function trumping form. But this isn’t the case with all of them. Two of the most fashion-forward offerings are the Ford Edge and Nissan Murano. Which one would you rather own?

Starting with the blue-oval offering, it features sporty bodywork that brings to mind something from a luxury automaker. It’s the same story inside, where the Edge’s interior impresses with tasteful design and high-quality materials.

Underneath all of this is solid engineering. The Ford offers three different engines, one for every purse and purpose. The base unit is a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder that’s good for 245 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. Beyond this, a 3.5-liter V6 is offered (280 horses) as well as a 2.7-liter EcoBoost six-shooter that provides an impressive 315 ponies. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard across the board; all-wheel drive is available with either of the lesser engines and is standard with the top offering.

Focusing on the Murano for a moment, its powertrain options are much simpler, for better or worse. Just one engine and transmission are offered. A familiar 3.5-liter V6 provides the motivation while an Xtronic continuously variable transmission transfers power to the wheels. This drivetrain provides 260 horses and 240 lb-ft of twist, numbers that compare favorable to the Edge’s lesser engine offerings.

As with its rival from Dearborn this Nissan is also available with all-wheel drive, which provides enhanced traction in all weather conditions.

Likewise, the Murano’s bodywork is suitably stylish, much less conservative than the Edge’s, though it may be too much for some buyers. Its interior is also nicely done, with an attractive design and plenty of high-end materials.

In addition to all of this, the Murano also offers dual-zone climate control, available heated and cooled front seats, an optional 11-speaker Bose sound system, standard 18-inch wheels (20s are also offered for extra cost) and much more.

After a quick look at each of these crossovers, have you decided on a favorite yet? C’mon, it’s not that hard! Which one would YOU rather own? Choose one and make sure to vote in the poll below. If you’d like more information about the Ford Edge and Nissan Murano, you can compare them directly right here.