One thing that you can be certain about with the Ford Edge is that it has all the looks and ability of a SUV. The concern that I would have though is have Ford out-priced themselves out of one of the fastest growing segments in the market?
Ford have maintained their own presence within the SUV market in the past number of years with the Kuga and the EcoSport. What the Edge does is give Ford a position within the larger segment. The Edge has long been available in the US and last year’s launch on Irish soil highlighted their determination to continue to provide solid products to the European market also. In looking at the new Ford Edge it has a true presence of an SUV. It possesses a muscular stance yet has a somewhat sleek and sporty appearance to it also. From the off, you are assured of the strength and stability of the Edge. The bold front grille dominates at the front of what is regarded as a short bonnet for an SUV of its size.
Standard on our test model in Titanium trim finish, the Edge comes with 19-inch alloy wheels which add to the sporty appearance of the Edge along with aluminium roof rails.
As you sit into the Ford Edge you are greeted by an abundance of space. The addition of full leather ceramic trim in my test model added to the level of comfort within the Edge. Ford Navigation with an 8-inch touchscreen is standard on this trim level while my test model also had the addition of the Sony Navigation System along with Ford SYNC2 which enhances the safety features within the SYNC system as well as upgrades to a 12-speaker sound system and advanced voice recognition controls. Space within the front and rear seats of the Edge is impressive. There are also two ISOFIX spaces in the rear seats and unusually there is still enough room between both for an additional passenger or another child seat. The rear seats can also be folded down electronically to add to the levels of convenience available throughout. This is similar with the boot lid which is part of the keyless entry and handsfree power tailgate. The availability of space doesn’t stop there either as it continues into the boot area. With just over 600 litres cubic capacity up to the parcel shelf this expands up to 800 litres if you go all the way to the roof cloth and if you flip down the rear seats this expands to massive 1,845 litres capacity.
My test model was powered by a 2.0 litre TDCi engine with almost 180 bhp paired with a 6-speed manual transmission running into a full time All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system. It is in this system that you will really find your confidence in the Edge. You may all recall the big snow of 2017! Okay, so it wasn’t as big as what was forecast but I was thankful that given the forecast that we expected that I had the assurance of AWD under me to ensure I made it to my destination safely every day. According to Ford, the intelligent AWD system retrieves information from 25 different sensors and can deliver 50/50 torque between the front and rear axles within 20 milliseconds.
The 2.0 TDCi engine is very quiet on the road. Ford have included Active Noise Control to ensure that it is an almost silent experience from within the cabin. Over most road surfaces the Edge appears to be compliant and there are no unwanted clunks or clanks on the rougher terrains. Even at speed in cornering there is a certain level of body roll but this is quickly corrected as the suspension plays its part and you are never left in any doubt as to the levels of grip which are present. Steering weight is par for the course for an SUV of its size and it is perfectly capable in tighter urban environments also.
As well as the Titanium spec, the Edge is also available in a higher spec “Sport” trim level. The standard spec even in Titanium trim is quite high which includes AWD, 19-inch alloys, front and rear parking sensors, rear view camera, keyless entry and handsfree power tailgate, sat-nav and illuminated scruff plates to name but a few.
The Ford Edge will tick a lot of boxes for numerous consumers in the SUV market given the inclusion of AWD and the generous specifications. Where I would worry it will fall however is when it comes to its pricing which starts from €55,700. I can see what Ford are trying to do in producing a high spec premium product but I fear that potential customers will settle for less spec for a figure that comes in below the €50,000 mark.
Technical Specification
Engine Size 2.0 TDCi
Fuel Type Diesel
Power 178hp / 180PS
Torque 400 Nm
Acceleration (0 – 100 km/h) 9.9 seconds
Top Speed 200 km/h
CO2 emissions 149g/km
Road Tax €390
Base Price €55,700
Price as per model tested €62,355.
