Review: the big, comfy Ford Edge

What’s this, then?

It’s the new Ford Edge. Except it’s not that new. It’s been on sale in America for a little while. Now, like the Mustang, it’s been Europeanised and welcomed into Ford’s line-up over here.

And it’s a biggie: sitting above the Kuga, it measures 4.8 metres in length, 1.9 metres in width and weighs a shade under two tonnes. Starting at £29,995, it essentially offers BMW X5 size for X3 money.

It’s a Ford, though. Is its rival not a Vauxhall?

Not here. It’s pitched as premium (well, ‘upscale’), with most buyers opting for the posh Sport and Titanium trim levels, and plenty of soft touch materials inside. Oh, and the Edge’s shining feature, active noise control, which uses clever speaker technology to ensure this car is whisper quiet, even at typical UK motorway cruising speeds.

It’s not just the engine that’s hushed, with wind noise and general road roar also kept at bay. Alongside a comfortable suspension setup, it’s a relaxing place to spend several hours. Which is also a polite way of saying it’s not very interesting to drive.

Does that matter in a big SUV?

It’s easy to argue not. We imagine very few people who buy or test drive an Edge will be actively thinking of its dynamics. But its sheer softness is worth noting, because it shows Ford’s mentality has shifted.

You might remember the late 1990s and bulk of the 2000s, when Ford rarely turned out a car that wasn’t enjoyable to drive. Ka, Focus, Mondeo, S-Max… they all nailed the important, prosaic tasks they were designed for, while also feeling keen and athletic the instant you got in them.

As Ford aims for a more efficiently developed line-up of cars sold across the world, rather than individual models for specific regions, driving fun appears to have slipped down the to-do list, and nowhere is this more evident than the Edge. Understandable? Yes. But a little bit sad, too.

Rose-tinted glasses off. Sensible stuff please.

Well, there are qualms here, too. We’ve driven the 178bhp 2.0 TDCi, the lesser of two engines available. It's one which is impressive in other Fords, but working hard against physics here.

Its claimed 9.9-second 0-62mph looks quicker written down than it feels in practice, while its narrow powerband is not well complemented by the six-speed manual’s gearing. When the rest of the car’s dynamic behaviour is so skewed towards effortlessness, here’s a powertrain you really have to throw yourself at.

Think we’re just being fussy? Subtle motorway overtakes, the sort when you just want to clear a car that’s doing 60mph in the middle lane, require a drop down to fourth gear to avoid blocking the outside lane for an uncomfortable period of time.

Fine in a highly strung little hatch, but a pain in a big, comfy car like this. The more potent, 207bhp diesel, which also comes with an automatic gearbox, appears to be a £2,250 upgrade worth taking.

Exactly how comfy is it?

If you believe space is the biggest luxury, you’ll be happy in here. The Edge is longer than a Land Rover Discovery Sport but comes with no seven-seat option, so there’s abundant room for both people and things. The seats are big and squashy.

Prefer tech? It’s easy to load the Edge up with trinkets – self-parking is just £150, for instance – and there’s lots of active safety stuff on offer. Ford’s Sync 2 touchscreen system is largely a success, too, though how unfathomable it manages to make operating its digital radio would be impressive if it wasn’t so frustrating. All versions come with four-wheel drive, albeit without any switchable modes.

The Edge does betray its American roots in places. It’s a large thing to squeeze through traffic, and it likes to emit numerous beeps and bongs, the reasons for which aren’t always immediately evident.

You’re not huge fans, right?

It’s not an outright bad car, just an average one in a very busy and fiercely competitive class. Ford expects to sell 5,000 in the UK this year; we suspect many of those will be because it’s a big SUV for medium SUV money, from a company who has abundant dealers, attractive offers and a familiar name.

No harm in that. But when Ford’s European-born cars sell while also being quite beguiling – the Focus is still atop the hatchback podium, despite being one of the oldest on sale, while little beats an S-Max if you want seven seats – the Edge feels plain and unremarkable.

If you seek comfort, space and affordable tech, it might just suit your needs. Ask of any more depth to your car’s abilities and we recommend looking elsewhere.