With the Edge, Ford have come up with a design that allows this SUV to stand out from the crowd. In fact, one look at the 2.0 TDCI ST-Line on test confirms how successful Ford have been in giving this impressive SUV a link with the more sporting editions of the Focus, Puma et al, elsewhere in the range.
The ST-Line, MotorMartin’s preferred option, gives you Ford’s distinctive, sporting front grille devoid of the chrome that adorns others in the range, 20″ ST-Line alloy wheels matched up to the Edge’s excellent Intelligent All Wheel Drive, there’s unique front, rear and side sports bodystyling with dark exterior detailing, black roof rails and the best bit? Dual fascia pass through exhausts with chrome exhaust tips, after all, nothing says sporting like a pair of twin exhausts. Ford have done a truly stunning job here.
Inside the Edge and the luxury/sporting theme continues with a cabin that offers up space, light, comfort and technology. There’s the de rigueur 10-way power driver and passenger seat with memory in partial leather seats with perforated Dinamica inserts, variable heated front seats, a heated steering wheel (superb), ST-Line scuff plates and that rarest of commodities, space.
Ford have also been rather generous with the technology added as there’s Cruise Control with Collision Mitigation, Auto Stop/Start, an incredible B&O premium audio system with 360° sound system with 1,000 Watts of amplifier power, 12 high performance speakers, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Ford’s wonderful SYNC 3 system. Indeed, Ford have confirmed that SYNC 3, integrates seamlessly with your smartphone, letting you control everything from phone calls and text messaging to music and satellite navigation – via the 8″ touchscreen or simple voice commands. This combination of both creature comfort and bang up to date driving and entertainment tech easily allows the Edge to look down upon it’s competitors from above.
The mark of a good car though is a little harder to fathom when you begin to dig deep. Tech and comfort is, of course, important but the drive itself is where the money needs to have been spent, and fortunately Ford’s latest SUV can happily direct you towards the very place. Ford fans have always known about the sports handling and superior quality of roadholding that are part of the marques inbuilt DNA and will not be disappointed by the experience on offer by the Edge.
Excellent turn in is telegraphed through the steering and directly to the driver whilst the sporting, yet compliant suspension copes superbly with the unfortunate state of the roads across this green and pleasant land of ours. From the typically high SUV driving position, the view that you get across the landscape allows you to make decisions far earlier than you might previously have been used to. Braking earlier for traffic or difficult conditions, smoothing out your throttle movements for economy and comfort and maintaining momentum become your mantra the more miles you experience in the Ford.
Take advantage of the technology hidden deep with the engine and 8-speed automatic transmission allows you to access up to 41.5 mpg and CO2 of 176 g/km whilst the 2.0 TDCI 4 cylinder, turbocharged diesel power-plant offers up 238PS. This is not an engine that is going to be found wanting in any situation you might care to find.
The Ford Edge is a seriously impressive piece of kit that is excellent to drive and live with whilst also being superb to look at. That’s what it’s all about isn’t it?
Where will you go?