2018 Ford Edge review

THE EDGE has gone under the knife. No, U2’s lead guitarist hasn’t checked into Harley Street for facial enhancements; we mean the Ford Edge, of course, although as with most celebrity facelifts, the aesthetic tweaks have given the big SUV a slightly more cheeks-pinned-back expression.

A quick history lesson: the Ford Edge has been around in North America since the mid-2000s, but first crossed the Atlantic as recently as 2016. It’s eclipsed by huge pick-ups like the F150 stateside but on UK roads, it’s a fairly imposing presence.

And in line with Ford’s journey upmarket, the Edge’s 2018 refresh is intended to allow it to do battle with premium alternatives such as the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Mercedes GLC, as well as the likes of the Mazda CX-5 and Skoda Kodiaq.

You certainly won’t mistake the Ford Edge for any of those rivals from the outside. It has a new, even more brazen American look, with that gaping grille attached to a bluff nose that helps accentuate its ride height. At the back, its steeply raked pillars and wide boot give it a butch stance.

Inside things are a little more restrained, mainly because the Edge doesn’t have Ford’s latest interior design, as found in the new Fiesta and Focus. There are large soft touch areas on the dashboard and doors, and plenty of piano black chrome accents dotted around to lift the mood, but ultimately the Edge fails to wow like its German alternatives do. The switches and air vents, in particular, feel flimsier.

Even the entry-level Titanium trim looks expensive next to the Mazda CX-5 and Skoda Kodiaq

Every Edge comes with an 8in touchscreen infotainment system that feels similarly dated. Sure, it gets DAB radio, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the on-screen graphics look pretty ordinary and it isn’t particularly responsive. The standard 12.3-inch digital driver’s display is nice to have, but again, lags behind Audi and BMW’s units visually.

Space is not an issue, though. Very tall adults will feel comfy in the front seats, while the driver has all the adjustment he or she could possible need at the seat and wheel. Meanwhile another couple of tall adults can sit behind with generous amounts of knee and head room.

Even a third passenger in the back isn’t much of a squeeze, although there’s no seven-seat option. The Edge’s boot, though, is bigger in size than all but the Skoda Kodiaq’s.

There’s a choice of two 2-litre turbocharged diesels, with either 148bhp or 235bhp. The 148bhp unit is front-wheel drive, the biturbo 235bhp is four-wheel drive, but both engines come with an eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard and there’s no manual gearbox option.

There’s lots to like about the more powerful diesel. It’s quiet for starters, it works well with the also-new automatic gearbox and there’s plenty of low down pull for towing or overtaking, if no scintillating pace.

However, most people will be better off with the lesser diesel: it’s cheaper to buy, comes with the same great gearbox, uses less fuel and most won’t mind its even more leisurely performance.

Part of the performance problem is down to the Edge’s weight — all models tip the scale at more than two tonnes. As such it’s no sports car in tight corners, where even the ST-Line model, with its stiffer sports suspension, feels bulky to hustle down a winding country road.

Things are not helped by vague steering, nor the optional sports suspension, which is too firm over bumps. As such, it’s best to stick with the Edge’s standard suspension for the best comfort, although even then its German alternatives are all more comfy, full stop.

Which brings us to the Edge’s main problem — its price. Even the entry-level Titanium trim looks expensive next to the Mazda CX-5 and Skoda Kodiaq, while ST-Line and Vignale models are deep into Audi, BMW and Mercedes territory, where the Edge just can’t compete on interior wow factor or quality.

So, if you’re determined to stand out from the crowd and space is priority then a Titanium Ford Edge is worth a look. The majority of premium SUV buyers, though, will find more to like investigating the usual German suspects.

Find out how much you could save on the Ford Edge at carwow

Ford Edge rivals

Audi Q5
£40,525 — £56,850
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BMW X3
£39,120 — £52,455
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Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
f37,340 — £79,035
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