Ford Edge Vignale review: £40k Ford crossover driven

What’s this?

Our Ford Edge Vignale review, the super-posh version of Ford’s biggest SUV that sells for £38,000.

Woah.

Indeed. And that’s only for the 178bhp 2.0-litre diesel, which comes with a six-speed manual gearbox and, if we’re honest, isn’t really powerful enough to propel the quite hefty Edge. For that you’ll need the 207bhp 2.0-litre diesel, the car tested here, with its ‘PowerShift’ six-speed automatic gearbox and 332 torques. It is much better and worth the extra.

How much is that one?

£40,250. It’s a lot of money and, we suspect, there’ll be a fair few for whom spending that kind of money on a non-performance Ford crosses some kind of psychological barrier. You do at least get a lot of car for your money – as the Edge remains one of the biggest in its class – and plenty of equipment.

What else do I get?

Vignale is more than just the top trim-level. It’s a whole lifestyle brand that Ford has built up around its products, one that sells holdalls for £700 and gives you access to a special concierge who you can instruct to make restaurant reservations or secure exclusive concert tickets – things like that. There are ‘Vignale Lounges’ at Ford dealers, and the special treatment extends to a dedicated ‘relationship manager’, priority servicing and the like.

And on the car?

Much leather and chrome, polished wheels and some special body colours. From the next generation Vignales will be integrated into the product line-up from the get go, but because Ford has effectively launched the brand mid-cycle, it’s having to Vignale existing cars, which you get the feeling has compromised its style somewhat…

So, the car’s the same?

Yes. Mechanically identical, in fact, which means it drives the same at the normal Edge. Very quiet thanks to active noise cancelling tech, rather comfy (although the ride has an unwelcome edge to it (ha) – probably the big wheels. Not lux enough) and decidedly unsporting. The auto suits it far better than the manual, and the extra oomph of the more powerful 2.0-litre is a necessary upgrade. You can read more about how the Edge drives by reading our existing Ford Edge review.

The modifications Ford has made to the Edge’s interior are mostly welcome. The latest version of its SYNC infotainment system is much improved (though not perfect), and comes with added Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Leather covers many of the surfaces and to be fair it feels pretty nice, and really lifts the whole ambience, but some scratchy plastics remain by the audio and heater controls.

Should I buy one?

Ford promises us the Edge Vignale only works out a few quid more expensive per month on a PCP deal than a non-Vignale one, and as Ford SUV buyers tend towards higher specifications anyway, we can see the Edge doing OK with existing Ford customers. And if you consider the extra kit you’re getting for the less than £2,000 hike over a regular Edge Titanium, that price doesn’t seem so silly. If you’re in the market for an Edge with much kit, the Vignale might even make financial sense.

Its key challenge is temping buyers away from the likes of the BMW X3, Audi Q5, Mercedes GLC and Jaguar F-Pace. Things might change further down the line, but for now we can’t see the Edge doing that in big enough numbers. We suspect the majority of Brits will be swayed by their much sexier badges and superior dynamics, even if the Edge does offer more kit and those added services. Brits are vain, remember. This is a country where the Mercedes C-Class outsells the Mondeo.