2021 Ford Edge Road Test and Review

2020 Ford Edge ST Line ・ Photo by Ford

The Ford Edge is a mid-size SUV that puts style and comfort ahead of total passenger-carrying capacity. If you want three-row seating, take a look at the Ford Explorer mid-size SUV instead, because the Edge offers just two rows. Because of that, it is quite comfortable for up to five passengers and has plenty of room for cargo. The Edge is an updated version of a veteran platform, and it offers a nice dose of new tech like the SYNC 4 infotainment management system with an impressively large 12-inch touchscreen. New cloud connectivity lets you search the Internet with voice recognition software, so you can ask your Edge questions and it will give you intelligent answers. Its voice-recognition capability also helps with texting and e-mails. While most Edge models emphasize comfort and luxury over performance, the Edge ST features a 335-horsepower turbocharged V6. And if you want the looks without the added power, the Edge ST-Line gives it to you.

Exterior Style

This generation of the Edge started as a good-looking vehicle, and it has been refined over the past several years to keep it contemporary. It presents a Ford “face” with the Ford oval prominent in the grille opening. The new Edge ST-Line uses many of the styling features of the sporty ST, including the unique ST-style grille, body-colored bumpers, black ST beltline molding, lower sport cladding, fog lamps, and LED lighting. Black roof rack rails, 20-inch gloss black aluminum wheels, and ST-Line badging add to the distinction. In overall length, the Ford Edge is about two inches shorter than the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer, which is likely its most direct competitor. Another key competitor, the Nissan Murano, is four inches longer. That said, this is a segment that emphasizes style over total interior and cargo space. Despite its age, the Ford Edge is still one of the best-looking vehicles in the competitive set.

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Powertrains

The 2021 Ford Edge offers two engine choices, but the vast majority of the trims are fitted with one while the other is reserved for the performance-oriented ST. The base engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged direct-injection 4-cylinder. Mated to an efficient 8-speed automatic transmission, it features engine stop-start technology and a twin-scroll turbocharger. The EcoBoost engine delivers 250 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. It is the powerplant of choice for the SE, SEL, ST-Line, and Titanium grades. The up-level engine is a 2.7-liter turbocharged V6, and it drives all four wheels of the Edge ST via a 7-speed automatic. It delivers 335 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque, and its peak power comes on premium fuel. To help with fuel economy, it uses stop-start technology.

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Driving Impressions

All-wheel drive is available on most trim levels and comes standard on the ST, but that doesn’t mean the Edge has any off-road aspirations. Instead, the Ford Edge has very pleasant on-road manners. It is quiet, comfortably suspended, and maneuverable in traffic. The reasonably high seating position offers an excellent view of the road and surrounding traffic. The driving experience is more exciting in the Edge ST. That is the result of its 335 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque when using 93 octane gas. Instead of the 8-speed automatic, it is fitted with a faster-responding 7-speed auto. With the performance brake package plus the specially tuned suspension, standard all-wheel drive, and quicker, more communicative steering, the Edge ST is a satisfying driving machine. Its biggest competitor is the 2021 Ford Explorer ST that boasts 400 horsepower from its larger-displacement turbo V6.

Interior Design

While the Edge’s basic platform has been around for a few years now, the interior is very fresh and modern. Of course, in vehicles equipped with the 12-inch vertically oriented infotainment display, the display becomes the center of attention. It can be subdivided into sections that make it extremely useful, too. The Edge’s instruments are clearly presented and very visible through the steering wheel, and the controls in the center of the dash are simple and easy to understand. With several trims levels, the Edge offers several seat coverings. The base SE trim offers cloth-covered front buckets, and leather seats are standard in the top-level Titanium Elite and the sports-oriented Edge ST. The second row is typically a 60/40 split-fold-flat reclining bench with a handy fold-down armrest. Between the two front bucket seats, you’ll find a rotary gear selector and twin cupholders. Despite being a five-passenger vehicle, the Edge offers only eight cupholders. Dual-zone automatic climate control is standard across the lineup.

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Infotainment

One big plus of the 2021 Ford Edge is its state-of-the-art infotainment system with giant touchscreen display. What is even more impressive is that the system is standard across the entire Edge line. The SYNC 4A system has enhanced voice recognition capabilities. It features a 12-inch vertically oriented touchscreen that has swipe capability. The system offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In addition, the Edge has a 6-speaker audio system with Sirius XM and speed-compensating volume. ST and Titanium Elite trims are equipped with 12-speaker B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen and HD radio. The FordPass Connect system, standard across the Edge line, includes a Wi-Fi hotspot that can connect up to 10 devices. All this tech works very well together. Overall, the 2021 Edge offers a cutting-edge infotainment system and impressive connectivity capabilities.

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Safety and Driver Aids

For the 2021 model year, the Ford Edge offers standard Ford Co-Pilot360 safety and driver assistance technology. It includes automatic high-beam headlights, blind-spot warning with cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assistance, pre-collision automatic braking with pedestrian detection, and rear-view camera system. An optional package adds adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and built-in navigation with live traffic information and predictive destinations. Standard airbags include driver and front passenger dual-stage, driver knee, front-row side seat, glovebox integrated knee, side-impact, and front and second-row safety canopy. The 2021 Ford Edge does very well in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 5-Star Safety Ratings, getting an overall 5-star score, the highest honor.

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Cargo and Towing

The Ford Edge doesn’t offer the same interior passenger room and cargo space that many mid-size SUVs do. It is designed for five passengers, and very often it will be occupied by just the driver  With four or even five aboard, no passengers will feel claustrophobic. It has 114 cubic feet of interior space, so occupants will find it spacious, even with all their stuff. The Edge has a massive 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat. When the rear seat is folded down, 73.4 cubic feet of cargo area opens up. That’s more than enough for two people to travel with plenty of gear. The Edge’s liftgate is easy to open and close, and it enables you to load bulky cargo easily. The Edge is rated to tow up to 1,500 pounds when properly equipped. If you plan to tow more, however, the Ford Explorer is a better choice because of its rear-drive architecture.

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Trim levels

The Edge is available in five different trim configurations – SE, SEL, ST-Line, Titanium, and ST. Both front-drive and all-wheel versions are offered in each trim level with the exception of the performance ST, which is only offered as an all-wheel-drive vehicle. As you might have noticed, even the base Edge SE is nicely equipped, including the big touchscreen interface. Moving up to the SEL gets you better seating including a 10-way power driver’s seat and heated front seats, plus a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The ST-Line has seats with red stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with red stitching, and floor mats with red accents. The Titanium trim is for those seeking luxury. It offers 10-way power-adjusted heated front seats covered in leather, wireless device charging, and the upscale B&O audio system. The ST takes seating in a sporting direction — bolstered front buckets that are 10-way power-adjustable and leather-covered with inserts. Of course, the more powerful engine and specific suspension tuning are big advantages as well.

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Pricing and Value

The Ford Edge offers good value in the personal-luxury crossover segment. The base SE with a suggested price of right around $33,000 is a special bargain with both big-screen infotainment and standard safety aids. A midline SEL with optional all-wheel-drive brings with it a lot of value for a list price of about $38,000 including destination charge. Those seeking sporty looks might find the ST-Line (a little under $40K with front drive) an appealing purchase. The Titanium with all-wheel drive provides luxury-brand amenities and interior trim for a starting price of less than $42,000. Finally, those seeking a performance-oriented crossover can turn to the Edge ST at a suggested price of less than $45,000. As we mentioned, the Ford Edge isn’t the newest vehicle on the block, but Ford’s improvements to the 2021 model have upped its overall value and appeal by a considerable margin.

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