Ford's Edge is one of those sport utility vehicles that is boring but reliable. Plus it will not break the budget. The Edge is larger than Ford's Escape but smaller the company's Flex. The three represent Ford's relatively inexpensive (roughly $23,000 to $43,000) vehicles that incorporate car-like attributes with a sport utility attitude. The automotive press sometimes refers to vehicles with this car-truck mix as crossovers.
New for the Edge in 2019 is an eight-speed automatic transmission replacing the six-speed. The eight-speed was tested for a week while mated to a 2-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine developing 250 horsepower. It was not that smooth and, at low speeds, was jerky. At higher speeds it smoothed out. If mated to Ford's larger 2.7-liter V6 engine that Ford offers in the Edge, the problem may not exist. Perhaps the jerkiness had something to do with the turbo or the braking apparatus.
During the test week in this all-wheel-drive two-row sedan with two adults aboard, fuel usage averaged 26.8 miles per gallon in combined city and mostly highway driving. The government rates the AWD Edge at 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. Front-wheel-drive Edges should get even better fuel use averages.
The turbo engine should gets the Edge from 0 to 60 miles per hour in eight seconds. Braking back to zero could take, according to automotive media testing, a distance of 129 feet.
The cabin is spacious and allows for good leg room in front and rear seats for adults no taller than six feet, five inches. Cargo capacity is excellent. On a shopping trip to IKEA, a beige love seat floor model was on sale in the bargain area. The price of $111 was too good to pass up, but could the love seat fit into the Edge? Yes it could with not an inch to spare. The cargo area is carpeted and lighted.
Storage also includes two covered bins and a deep bin in the center console that also can be utilized as an armrest. Ford's rotary automatic gear shift allows for more storage possibilities between the front bucket seats. The suspension system is way above average and insulation materials block out most of the noise from outside the cabin. It is a quiet ride in the Edge.
Metal and leather contributed to the cabin's luxury look, but hard plastic trim pieces are noticeable. The neatly trimmed front seats operate by power and are heated. There is a memory setting for the driver.
Sill plates are lighted. Niceties include ambient lighting, eight cup holders, 12 volt power outlets, two USB charging ports, power windows, exterior heated mirrors and door locks. The tested $40,335 Titanium model also included a power liftgate, rain-sensing windshield wipers, automatic high and low headlight beams, LED fog lamps, remote start system and a 12-speaker Bang&Olufsen sound system. LED headlights are standard on all Edge models.
The Edge has a wireless charging pad which means devices can be charged without a cord. Not all phones will be compatible with the pad.
Ford has upgraded Sync 3 (standard) which governs the navigation, audio and climate control systems. It has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with hands-free phone calls. Sync 3 offers voice recognition, touchscreen with swipe capability and automatic updates over Wi-Fi.
Ford has expanded the safety palette and for 2019 all Edges have forward-collision warning and mitigation, lane departure warning, emergency braking and lane-keeping assist.
Ford's larger entrants in the SUV market are the Explorer and Expedition.
For a family that wants a practical vehicle with a plethora of comforts, the Edge is one of those mid-sized SUVS is worth consideration.
FAST FACTSVehicle: all-wheel-drive Titanium model of
2019 Ford EdgeType: midsize four-door, five-passenger sedan
Price: $40,355
As tested: $45,585
Engine: 2-liter, 250-horsepower turbocharged inline four-cylinder
Transmission: eight-speed shiftable automatic
Fuel tank: 18.5 gallons
Fuel: regular
Weight: 3,959 pounds
Wheelbase, length, width, height in inches: 112.2, 188, 68.3, 75.9
Leg room: 42.6 inches front, 40.6 inches rear
Tires, aluminum wheels: 19-inch
Brakes: discs front, rear
Cargo: 39.2 cubic feet rear seat splits up, 73.4 cubic feet splits folded down
Suspension: independent struts, lower control arm, gas-pressurized shocks, stabilizer bar in front, gas-pressured hydraulic shocks, link, stabilizer in rear
Warranty: three years or 36,000 miles, five years or 60,000 miles powertrain and roadside assistance
Assembly: Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Information:
www.ford.com