Ford Edge (2016 - 2021) Review

A global car, that’s what the marketing department calls the Ford Edge. It may not have been seen in the UK, however, the Edge was launched way back in 2007 in the USA and helped Ford get a jump on the crossover SUV market.

On the looks front the Edge makes for an imposing on-road figure thanks to its bold yet sporty styling. Raised ground clearance enhances off-road capability, and delivers a seating position almost 50 mm higher than the Ford S-MAX, for a commanding view of the road.

The Edge has a large trapezoidal front grille and is flanked by sleek headlamps and stylish LED daytime running lamps. Jump round to the rear and you will notice the LED taillamps that run along the width of Edge’s rear, giving a premium, jewel-like and modern look. The rear window is steeply raked and comes with a high mounted spoiler, the chrome exhaust tail-pipes enhance the SUV’s sporty look.

Ford is offering the Edge with a choice of two 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engines; offering 180 PS. It will complete the benchmark sprint in 9.9 seconds and has a top speed of 124 mph. The second power plant is a 210 PS Bi-turbo version. This can achieves a benchmark sprint time of 9.4 seconds and will go on to a top speed of 131 mph where permitted. Both versions deliver 48.7 mpg and emit 149 g/km CO2.

The lowered powered engine is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, while the more powerful 210 PS models are available with a six-speed PowerShift automatic option that can be operated via steering standard wheel-mounted paddles.

Competent yes but thrilling definitely not. The lowered diesel needs more torque, this is a big car and it felt like that on test, the 2.0-litre diesel unit could do with at least 20 more bhp. Not for sprinting around down but it’s needed for normal overtaking manoeuvres. 

The Ford Edge thanks to being a global car is built on the same platform as Ford’s Mondeo, Galaxy and S-MAX. For such a big car it comes with a good chassis and feels quite agile. The steering is good and this is helped by Ford’s Adaptive Steering system. It works by changing the ratio between the steering and road wheels according to vehicle speed. At lower speeds, the system makes the vehicle more agile and easier to turn. At higher speeds, it enables the Edge to react more smoothly and precisely to driver input. For those who want a dynamic driving sensation, there’s a driver-selectable Sport mode. This enhances the steering even further to make the steering response quick and accurate.

On top of this, the Edge comes with Ford’s Intelligent All Wheel Drive system. It works by delivering torque to whatever wheel(s) may need it. The system gathers data from 25 different sensors to measure how the car’s wheels are gripping the road surface and can adjust torque delivery up to 50/50 between the front and rear wheels in under 20 milliseconds. Now that’s quicker than it takes a human to blink. 

Refinement inside the Ford Edge is quite good. Ford has developed a three-stage approach enabling engineers to minimise noise, vibrations and harshness (NVH) in the Edge. Therefore the sound-proofing is good, there is a little engine noise, however, road and tyre are minimal.

Ford also uses a system called Active Noise Control. Three microphones placed throughout the cabin monitor engine noise. As it is doing so, the system then directs opposing sound waves through the audio system to cancel out engine noise even when the entertainment system is switched off.

Three trims are available on the Ford Edge line-up. The entry-level starts with Zetec and it comes with a decent level of kit.

Standard equipment includes Intelligent-all-wheel drive, Active Noise Control, DAB radio, Sync2 multimedia system, rear privacy glass and 19-inch alloys, automatic headlights and wipers, an electrically heated windscreen and traffic sign recognition system.

Opt for the Titanium grade and this will add front and rear parking sensors, a powered tailgate, sat-nav, illuminated scuff plates, acoustic side glass and heated front sports seats.

If you want the flagship Sport trim, then you should have pretty much everything you want. It adds 20-inch alloys, body styling kit, sports suspension, an upgraded Sony sat-nav with 12 speakers, adaptive steering and alloy pedals in the interior.

The Ford Edge is a whopping big car. It looks large from the outside but jump in and you’ll really be impressed with the interior space. Remember this is a car that has come from the American market to interior space is a must have.

With the seats in place there a luggage space of 602-litres in the boot while this expands to a cavernous 1,847 litres.

Towing should be a breeze too, the Edge has a 2,000kg braked towing weight – around average for the sector – and you can carry an extra 75kg on the roof. Ideal for a top box filled with gear.

Both engines, the lowered powered 180PS and the 210PS both have a claimed average of 48.7 mpg and emit 149 g/km CO2.

Ford’s Edge has been around since 2007 and it may not have been available in the UK, we believe that it will fare well. Ford is always competitive when it comes to parts and service costs so there’s another reason not to worry. 

The Ford Edge is absolutely brimmed with safety and security features. Ford’s SYNC 2 system features Emergency Assistance. You can connect directly with the emergency services when using it

Other systems to keep you and passengers safe include Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Adaptive Front Lighting System, Glare-Free Highbeam technology, Perpendicular Parking, Park-Out Assist, Side Parking Aid and Cross Traffic Alert.

And if that’s not enough, there’s also a Front Wide-View Camera, Intelligent Speed Limiter technology, Blind Spot Information System, Traffic Sign Recognition, Lane Keeping Alert, Lane Keeping Aid and Driver Alert and Inflatable Rear Seatbelts, which rapidly expand in the event of an accident to disperse crash forces across a body area five times greater than that achieved by a conventional seatbelt.

Ford has also confirmed that the Edge has been awarded five stars for occupant and pedestrian protection standards by independent body Euro NCAP.