The Ford Edge makes its presence known on the open road
The Ford Edge certainly makes its presence known out on the roads, but Dave Brown has been finding what else it has to offer
You certainly feel in command of the road in our long-term Ford Edge. It’s a car that’s not to be trifled with.
A chunky five-seat SUV with handsome, imposing looks, it tells other road users: “I’m in charge and I’m not to be messed with.”
I’ve found this to be the case in all sorts of driving environments lately. I’m the last person you would describe as aggressive behind the wheel, dutifully adhering to 70mph speed limits on deserted midnight motorways, and always being ultra-patient with the learner drivers who seem to spend every rush-hour bimbling along the lanes near our offices on the south coast.
But other road users do seem to be somewhat in awe of EG17FKH. Fellow motorway drivers move left even if I’m approaching them from behind only very gradually, and those slow-moving learners do seem to be inclined to turn off if their instructors can see me in their rear-view mirrors.
I’m not complaining, of course. If people are moving out of my way – and, true, it could all be in my imagination – it means the Edge is being noticed. And if nothing else, that’s excellent news as far as my safety is concerned, as well as that of my passengers.
So from the outside, yes, the Edge ticks all the boxes, and as well as that general air of dominance, our car stands out for other reasons.
It boasts front, rear and side sports bodystyling with dark exterior detailing, and snazzy 20-inch platinum grey alloy wheels. A rear spoiler helps to make the back view easy on the eye. All good.
Inside, however, I think it’s a slightly different story. Sure, everything the driver needs is close at hand, easy to operate, and sensibly laid out.
And the kit list is impressive, including a Sony DAB navigation system with 12 speakers, alloy pedals, a rear-view camera and a ‘Quickclear’ heated front windscreen. An intelligent all-wheel drive system can determine how much grip, cornering balance and responsiveness is required in wet, dry or icy conditions and on varying terrain. Definitely a useful feature for more adventurous buyers.
It’s just that whenever I get into a car for the first time – and I’d never driven a Ford Edge until a couple of weeks ago – I’m looking for the nifty design touch that catches my eye; something a little different – quirky, even – that raises a smile, and makes you think to yourself, “I really like that”.
I must confess, I didn’t really find one in this car. What does help lift the mood, however, is our model’s panoramic roof with sunshade. It’s part of the ST-Line Lux Pack which adds £1,275 to the base price.
And as far as general levels of comfort are concerned, I’ve no complaints whatsoever. Impressive amounts of interior space will mean no-one will moan about feeling cramped and it’s easy to find the perfect driving position.
Something else that helps make the Edge a pleasure to pilot and which is definitely worth a mention is active noise control. Microphones detect and measure specific sound waves while a control unit can separate the noises you do want to hear, such as conversation and the radio (Absolute 80s every time, please), from those you don’t. The system then creates inaudible ‘white noise’ to cancel out any unwelcome sounds, and provide you with a real sense of tranquillity when you’re driving. Clever stuff!
So how much will an Edge set you back? Well, a standard model will mean you’ll be parting with almost £40,000 while our car, an ST-Line example with extras such as active steering, a front wide-view camera and adaptive cruise control with pre-collision assist, comes in at nearly £43,000.
You certainly get a lot for your money though – so if you’re in the market for a substantial SUV that’s not short on safety features and useful tech, this is a car that could definitely have the edge.
HIGHLIGHT OF THE MONTH: Getting used to the Ford Edge’s sizeable on-road presence
Model: Ford Edge
Price (as tested): £42,790
Engine: 2.0 TDCi
Power: 207bhp
Torque: 450Nm
Max speed: 131mph
0-60mph: 9.4 seconds
MPG (combined): 47.9
Emissions: 152g/km
Mileage (to date): 8,269
