Despite Its Flaws, the Ford Edge Is Still One of the Best SUVs to Buy
When it comes to two-row crossover SUVs, the new Ford Edge is still holding its own. Yes, the Edge is starting to show its age. But it has good power, a quiet cabin, and it seats five. While many might argue against it, Consumer Reports named it as one of the 10 Best SUVs available at the moment. What did CR like about the Ford Edge? Does it deserve a closer look for those shopping for a quality SUV?
The Ford Edge’s good sides
There’s a choice of two powertrains to meet most needs. The standard engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that gets 250 hp and offers up good gas mileage. There’s also a more athletic twin-turbo V6 with the Edge ST that gets 335 hp.Â
Offering a thoroughly satisfying drive, the new Edge makes you feel safe when cornering, and the balance will make you feel even more so. You can count on a comfortable drive, even on rough roads.
The Ford Edge comes with a long list of standard features including the Ford Co-Pilot360 safety suite of driver-assist tools that are awesome to have. The exterior is a little outdated, but as you work up through the trim levels, it gets better. The cabin is nice and quiet. The inside is a little dated too, but it’s comfortable in the front and back for adults and children alike.
The bad parts of the Ford Edge
The Ford Edge hasn’t seen a full redesign since 2015 according to U.S. News, and there really haven’t been any major changes in that time either. It gained the Sync 3 infotainment upgrade in 2016. In 2019, the exterior was touched up and it got a new eight-speed transmission. It also got the driver-assist suite and the Sport trim was replaced by the ST.
In 2020, it got a new dual-zone climate control system. That’s it.Â
With so few changes, there’s little incentive to buy a brand-new Edge. You could get a previously owned model for less money and have the same features. That combined with the outdated look of both the exterior and interior put the new Ford Edge at a bit of a disadvantage – especially when it’s matched up to peers that have seen recent redesigns.Â
The Edge has an average predicted reliability rating at best. It has a rating of three out of five from both J.D. Power and Consumer Reports. CR cites an issue with in-car electronics and found the touchscreen a bit difficult to navigate at times.
Why Consumer Reports put it on its top 10 list
Consumer Reports listed the 2020 Ford Edge as one of the top 10 best SUVs available. They described it as a well-rounded SUV that offers solid handling, a quiet and steady ride, and a cabin that’s on par with its luxury peers.
They found the standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine to be enough to get you places but with pleasingly quiet acceleration. They didn’t like the new eight-speed transmission as much as the six-speed version previously used. They loved the space available for both passengers and cargo and found the interior to be comfortable. The only space issue they found was the slightly cramped driver’s space.
The Edge features Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system, and CR liked its simple controls as much as the rotary gear selector. The SUV also offers Ford’s Co-Pilot 360 suite of safety features including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward-collision alerts, lane keep assist, lane departure alerts, blind-spot alerts, and more.
With the addition of dual-zone automatic climate control as a standard feature and great fuel economy, the new Ford Edge is an SUV that’s definitely worth a closer look.
