In an already crowded SUV market, Ford is trying to wedge in another one that fits in between a compact two-row and the larger three-row. The Ford Edge is a two-row SUV but it features much more interior room than a more traditional compact SUV such as the Toyota Rav4 or Honda CR-V.
Performance
Engine – There are 3 engine choices available on the Edge but under the hood of this one is the 2.0L turbocharged inline-4. It develops a respectable 245hp and 275 lb-ft of torque which gets sent to all four wheels. When driving around on city streets, you could mistake this little engine for a V6 because the torque is available at low rpms and turbo lag is negligible thanks to the twin-scroll design of the turbocharger.
Transmission – Mated to the little engine that could, is a 6-speed automatic transmission. Shifts are nice and smooth but it does feel a bit sluggish to respond to a stab of the throttle when overtaking on the highway.
Braking – The brakes on the Ford Edge are very strong for a crossover SUV. It takes a bit to get use to the initial bite of the brake pads but over time you get used to no requiring to only lightly apply the brake under normal circumstances.
Handling – SUVs are generally not sporty vehicles (unless you’re looking at the Porsche Cayenne or Mazda CX-5) but this 2017 Ford Edge is both composed around corners and offers a comfortable ride. Around corners it’s not as sporty as the aforementioned vehicles but it doesn’t flop from side to side like a land yacht. The electro-assisted steering is vague in feeling but it is precise and direct with a nice weight at higher speeds for better stability.
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Comfort
Ride Comfort – The Ford Edge’s suspension soaks up bumps and road imperfections with minimal intrusion into the cabin. It has a delicate balance between the suspension being comfortable and not too sporty and firm. Because the Edge is slightly larger than other compact SUVs, room inside the cabin is plentiful even for 3 adults in the back seats.
Noise, Vibration, & Harshness – The cabin of the Ford Edge is well insulated from tire and wind noise. On highways up to 100km/h, it feels like a well built product and not like a Ford from just 10 years ago where every trim piece creaked and squeaked.
Interior Design – The look and feel of the Edge’s interior is not bad. Nearly every surface has a soft touch material and although it doesn’t look as edgy (no pun intended) on the inside as the Mazda CX-5 or as elegant as the Volvo XC90, the center infotainment screen is large and clear and the physical buttons are well arranged. The biggest plus the Edge has going for it in addition to the interior space, is the panoramic sunroof and (in this demo vehicle) the white leather seats which add to the feeling of openness and roominess.
Odds and Ends
Gadgets – Like many other SUVs in this segment, the Ford Edge comes equipped with navigation, heated seats, heated steering wheel, etc. The difference is the updated Ford Sync 3 infotainment system. It works very well. Not only do the graphics look good, it’s also easy to learn and use. Another feature that this Edge has is the automated parking system. It uses sensors to detect a parking spot and then it prompts the driver to shift into reverse and just control the braking while the car controls the steering. Honestly this and other systems like it are just a gimmick because the car detects a parking spot maybe only 40% of the time and it is a slow process until the car is finally parked. A 360 camera system (or just a backup camera) and your own driving skills takes half the time to park the vehicle.
Exterior Design – Again, the Ford Edge does not have a design that really stands out. It’s more subdued than all of the other SUVs in this class. Depending on who you are, that may be a good thing; driving a vehicle that does not attract attention.
Overall the 2017 Ford Edge is a well rounded vehicle with a lot of features, comfortable ride, and a very spacious interior for its class. However it’s downfall is the price. This demo vehicle starts at around the same price as the Honda CR-V Touring ($40,000) but it has about $10,000 in options such as the panoramic roof, navigation, adaptive cruise control, 20” premium wheels, etc.So because of this price point, it’s hard to justify paying over $50,000 for a 5 passenger SUV when you can have a 7 passenger Mazda CX-9 or Honda Pilot for around the same price with a few options.
Thank you to Ford Canada for providing the vehicle. www.Ford.ca
