Road Test: Ford Edge 2.7 V6 5dr Auto (US Spec)

There’s going to be a new face in the Ford UK line-up this autumn. Designed to fill the gap you never knew existed between the Kuga and S-Max, the Edge will go head-to-head with the Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60 in terms of spec. But it’ll be priced several grand cheaper.

Based on the same platform that underpins the new Mondeo and S-Max, the Edge steers and handles in the trademark Ford way – well-judged damping, sharp steering, etc – so it feels familiar right away. Engine choices run to a pair of 2.0-litre turbodiesels which will produce around 178bhp and 207bhp respectively.

Its real selling point against the two European competitors is the extra space it offers within a similarly compact silhouette. It’s got more head, leg and shoulder room in its front and rear seats, plus an extra, weekly-shop-swallowing 283 litres of rear load space compared with the Audi.

The German and Swedish interiors still feel more premium than the Ford, but the Edge has just as much, if not more, tech on board than either of the others. So it’ll probably come down to price and prestige, as ever. Still, worth trying all three before you buy.