Ford has introduced the Edge to the Irish and European markets and this chunky all-wheel drive offering is up against some stiff competition from the likes of the Volvo XC60, the Land Rover Discovery Sport and more. With a high-enough price point, there will always be stiff competition in this category. The truth is that this is a premium vehicle, but are people willing to shell out beyond €55,000 for a Ford. The quality of the vehicle matches what's on offer from competition and if badge snobbery was left at the door, then there should be no reason as to why we would say that the price is unreasonable. However, as of yet, consumers don't necessarily look upon Ford as a "premium brand". So how this vehicle will fare is yet to be seen.
All Ford Edge offerings to the Irish market come with an all-wheel drive set-up, which is one up on the likes of the Volvo XC60. The Edge comes with 2.0 litre TDCi diesel engines which offer 180bhp and 210bhp. The 180bhp offering will give you 0-100km/h in 9.9 seconds, whereas the 210bhp offering's bi-turbo engine will cover the same distance in 9.4 seconds. Top speed for the 180bhp model is 200km/h, while the 210bhp model is 211km/h. There is a choice of a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed PowerShift automatic gearbox.
The all-wheel drive set-up is good for minor off-road driving. We've tried it over some fields and mud. The system works well getting you over bumps and keeping you out of trouble – however, this should not be mistaken for a Land Cruiser or a Wrangler. The "Intelligent All Wheel Drive" system adjusts torque distribution to tyres and aids in avoiding wheel spin. According to Ford, this system has "minimal" impact on fuel-efficiency. To drive, the steering is heavy, but very precise. The vehicle itself does feel heavy and cornering at speed does create some roll. Over road imperfections, the Ford Edge does not throw up any major ride issues.
Quality is not an issue with the new Ford Edge. The car is very well padded and Ford uses "Active Noise Control" to cancel noise pollution within the cabin. We're told that this works like noise-cancelling headphones. In terms of road noise, we have to say that this system must work well, because we didn't noticed any major noise intrusion from the tyres, the engine or the road.
Our test model had a beautiful black leather interior and the dash does not feel cheap. The for Edge uses Ford's new Sync2 infotainment system and the Sony stereo is a nice touch. The Sync2 system is much better than the first generation system and users will find it much easier to navigate.
As of yet the new Ford Edge has not undergone a Euro NCAP. However, this vehicle comes jam-packed with intelligent safety systems. For example, owners will find the vehicle equipped with "Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection". This system will apply brakes if it senses potential collisions with pedestrians or other vehicles. Other systems include Ford’s “Adaptive Steering”. This system automatically adjusts the car’s steering to optimise manoeuvrability and precision if and when required. The NHTSA, which is operated by the USA Department of Transport, has rated their version with a full five stars and we expect this vehicle to fare as well in Europe.
In terms of space, this SUV has plenty of room. Legroom and headroom throughout the vehicle is ample and while Ford hasn’t disclosed actual litreage for the boot, we can safely say that it is extremely large. This space, coupled with the all-wheel drive system, makes this car extremely practical.
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