Ford Edge Review (2017)

The Ford Edge is Ford’s new flagship SUV and Ford is positioning new Edge as a large, upmarket SUV. The words ‘Ford’ and ‘upmarket’ don’t exactly roll off the tongue together but Ford is convinced that the Edge can deliver premium levels of comfort, technology and driving dynamics.

The Ford Edge sits above the EcoSport and Kuga in Ford’s SUV line-up and with prices starting at €55,700 for this five seat SUV, the Edge occupies the same market as upscale SUVs like the Jaguar F-Pace and Audi Q5.

The Ford Edge has been on sale in North America since 2007, though the Edge is a brand new model for the Ford brand in Europe. The American SUV roots are very clear in the styling: the high bonnet, big grille and bulbous proportions mean that this car does not lack in the presence department.

Inside the dash layout is very similar to a Mondeo or an S-MAX so the design is neither exciting or particularly stylish, but it does appear well-built. The quality and appearance of the materials is good though still some way off rivals.

Elsewhere, the Edge does deliver as a large, spacious and comfortable SUV and rear seating space is generous, though there is no seven seat option. The boot is a cavernous 602 litres with the rear seats up.

The Ford Edge is offered in Ireland with a choice of two 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engines, one with 180PS or a bi-turbo version with 210PS. Both versions deliver up to 48.7 mpg and emissions are rated at 149 g/km CO₂ for Titanium models, and 152g for Sport.

2.0-litre TDCi 180PS models are equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox and come in at €55,700 in Titanium trim or at €57,450 in Sport trim. 210PS models come with a six-speed PowerShift automatic and start at €60,350 for Titanium and €62,100 for Sport. The Edge has four wheel drive as standard.

My test car was equipped with the 2.0-litre 180PS diesel and the manual gearbox. The engine has strong power and good flexibility through the rev range, though the automatic gearbox would be more suitable and user-friendly for a large SUV like this. It’s reasonably refined too and the car is well-insulated for long motorway trips to be enjoyed in silence and comfort.

The Ford Edge does feel large on the road and while the steering is light and doesn’t take huge effort, the Edge does feel a bit clumsy in town situations and on narrow roads. In terms of agility and driver appeal, a Jaguar F-Pace is a more sporty and engaging drive if that’s a priority. While the Edge is very comfortable, it does roll in corners and the steering disappointingly does not feel as sharp as in other Fords.

The Ford Edge does come well-equipped with 19” alloys, parking sensors, keyless entry, electric tailgate, chrome roof rails, Ford navigation with 8” touchscreen, rear view camera, heated windscreen, cruise control, lane keeping aid, traffic sign recognition, auto lights & wipers, dual zone climate control, alarm, power fold down rear seats and a Collision Avoidance System.

Sport trim adds 20” alloys, Adaptive Steering system, SONY DAB navigation system with 12 speakers, unique front, rear and side sports body styling with dark exterior detailing, and alloy pedals.

The Ford Edge arrives in Ireland steeply priced, falling into direct competition with rivals from established premium brands. It’s not quite what we are used to from Ford so may take some time to find its feet. In premium company, the Edge feels as if it lacks polish, but it is some of the best quality we have seen from Ford to date inside. There is no magic here to hide the Edge’s considerable bulk on the road, but if a sporty, agile drive is not a priority, the Ford Edge does provide all the comfort and refinement of a high-end SUV, and is spacious and well-equipped.

Model tested: Ford Edge 2.0TDCi Titanium
Price: €55,700 (€62,355 as tested)
Power: 180hp
0-100km/h:  9.9 seconds
Economy: 48.7mpg
CO2 emissions:  149g/km
Motor tax: €390 per year

Caroline Kidd