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For those of you looking for a small or mid-sized SUV, Ford has the Ecosport and Kuga. However, with no larger model to compete with the likes of the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento, the company knows it’s been losing out badly. The Edge is designed to address this.
The engine we’re testing here is the 177bhp 2.0-litre diesel with a six-speed manual gearbox. A more powerful 207bhp version with a dual-clutch automatic 'box is also available, but whichever you choose, four-wheel drive is standard.
Both engines have an official average fuel economy figure of 48.7mpg and CO2 emissions of 149g/km, making them more economical and less expensive for company car tax than either the Hyundai or Kia.
Prices start from £29,995, but this mid-spec Titanium trim with sat-nav, privacy glass and a heated front windscreen will cost you £32,245. That's £200 more than the similarly equipped Kia Sorento KX-2, but £600 less than the equivalent Santa Fe Premium model. Those rivals feature leather trim as opposed to the Edge’s cloth seats, but you get 19in alloy wheels on the Ford.
What’s the 2016 Ford Edge 2.0 TDCi like to drive?
For pottering around town or sitting at a steady 70mph on the motorway, the engine delivers adequate pace. Getting up to your cruising speed quickly or pulling an overtaking manoeuvre demands you rev it, however, and even then it’s not exactly sprightly. In the quest for speed, you’ll need to work the gearbox hard, so it’s good that the gearchange and clutch are both light and precise.
Noise-cancelling software is standard, using microphones to sample the engine’s thrum before playing opposing sound waves through the car’s speakers to make the engine sound smoother. You still get some boominess at high revs, but the rest of the time it’s a subdued background thrum.
In fact, comfort and refinement are where the Edge betters its rivals. On the motorway there’s very little road noise and, if you order the optional panoramic roof, hardly any wind noise either. Without this feature, you get roof rails, which do create some irksome wind whistling above your head.
The ride is also very good - at least, it was on our generally smooth German test route. You get some fidgeting on rippled road surfaces, but the suspension absorbs ruts and ridges well and it's hushed, too.
Even with that level of compliance the Edge feels stable in corners without the ponderous body lean you encounter in some SUVs. There’s also plenty of grip and good traction from the four-wheel drive out of junctions.
We tried both the standard and the optional adaptive steering, and both felt precise. The adaptive system is designed to reduce the number of turns at parking speeds while aiding motorway stability, but as the standard setup felt good, we’d say save the extra money and stick with that.
What’s the 2016 Ford Edge 2.0 TDCi like inside?
The Edge has an excellent driving position, with nicely aligned pedals and plenty of adjustment to the steering wheel, as well as to the supportive seats. Anyone tall in the front seats will find no issues with head or leg room, and the cabin’s generous width adds to its spacious feel.
The dashboard is much the same as that of an S-Max or Mondeo. The standard 8.0in touchscreen has small icons which are a bit fiddly to hit on the move; systems in rivals are easier to use in this regard.
Judging where the Edge's bonnet ends is also tricky, and the wide rear pillars obscure the view over your shoulders. Thankfully our Titanium trim test car had a standard rear-view camera, plus sensors front and rear that eased the pain of parking.
There’s loads of storage, with a deep recess under the front armrest, large door bins and various other cubbyholes dotted around.
Without the benefit of a tape measure to prove the point, rear space seems up with the class best. Leg room is generous and the rear bench is easily wide enough to fit three adults abreast. With the panoramic roof fitted, really tall folk might find their hair just brushing the headlining, though.
The Edge's main shortcoming compared with the Kia or Hyundai is the lack of seven seats. If you need to carry more than five people, best cross it off your list.
If that’s not a concern and all you need is a big boot then the Edge will suit. In pure volume terms, it matches the others, with enough space for a couple of buggies or several large suitcases. Convenient buttons by the tailgate drop the rear seatbacks in a 60/40 arrangement, leaving a wide, if not quite flat, extended load bay.
Should I buy one?
If you want a refined SUV that’s decent to drive and are happy with only five seats, then the Ford Edge is a commendable choice.
However, you can’t ignore that the equivalent specification Santa Fe and Sorento offer more. Give or take a few hundred pounds either way, they offer you slightly more equipment with the versatility of seven seats.
For that reason and from our experience so far, we’d recommend putting those higher up on your shopping list.
Ford Edge
Engine size 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel
Price from £29,995
Power 177bhp
Torque 295lb ft
0-62mph 9.9sec
Top speed 124mph
Fuel economy 48.7mpg
CO2 149g/km
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