2019 Ford Edge Titanium – Road Test

Having driven all of the Edge models to date, I thought it was time to give the latest version a drive – after all, it’s been 3+ years since I last drove one (2016) – is it better? It’s been “upgraded” after receiving a mid-cycle facelift for 2019 (2^nd gen began in 2015). Last time out I drove the Sport version with a 2.7L Ecoboost V6. This time we’ll be driving the 4-cylinder 2.0 turbocharged Ecoboost engine that is now standard across the range – except for the ST version (the only model that gives you the V6 if you just have to have one). The big question is – does a 4-banger work in a vehicle this big??! Well Ford aren’t alone in this category – Land Rover do the same thing with the Discovery Sport and Kia likewise with the Sorento. I’ve driven both and to be honest I didn’t feel they lacked anything in the way of power by going with a smaller, more fuel-efficient engine.

What Is It?

Large-ish SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) – this one is more CUV – Crossover Utility Vehicle
Four available models: SE, SEL, Titanium and ST
0L Twin-Scroll EcoBoost engine producing 245 hp and 275 lb.-ft. of torque
8-Speed Automatic Transmission with paddle shift
AWD
Auto Start-Stop

How Does It Look?

The 2019 Edge receives a mid-cycle facelift in 2019 year, meaning don’t expect a new one until 2023 at the earliest!
Visually, Ford replaced the three-bar front grille with a similar grille to the larger Ford Explorer
I like the update, but in reality, why didn’t Ford give us an all-new Edge this year? Other than GM, tell me who drags a model on for 8+ years nowadays?
The ST is definitely the looker of the lineup (base price $48,199) – 335hp and 380 lb.-ft. of torque

What’s It Like Inside?

Although it’s an update, Ford changed absolutely nothing on the centre and front console – even the steering wheel is unchanged, except for the shifter – it’s now a rotary dial instead if a lever – LOVE it!
The biggest difference is a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen (B&O) Play Surround-sound System replacing the Sony System for 2019 and that’s a huge step up – the sound is incredible now
Centre dash is attractive, it looks nice and tidy, but dials are so much easier to use than buttons – I wish designers would stick to them
Don’t like the controls for the HVAC it’s just not intuitive and the buttons are so small it means taking your eyes off the road for too long. It might not be such an issue if only one person drove the Edge and could just set and forget. At least there is another alternative – use the screen to control the HVAC, it’s is much more user-friendly, or try the voice-activated commands!
The audio is so much easier to make adjustments with the nice big volume dial front and center. The steering wheel also has adjustments there and it’s logically laid out and easy to use
The seats are extremely comfortable (can’t say that about the previous Edge I tested), but definitely not sporty – don’t push the limits of adhesion as you’ll be sliding out of them in the bends and twisty bits (not so in the ST, however)
With a virtually flat floor, there’s an abundance of legroom for rear passengers
Cargo room is plentiful and I love the one hand, one-lever to flip the seat forward to give you a completely flat cargo area
Wireless charging pad for your mobile phone
Leather-trimmed heated and cooled front seats, with 10-way power driver and passenger seats
3-Person Driver’s Seat & Mirror Memory
Cargo space is 39.2 cu.ft. (1,111 L) or with rear seatbacks folded flat it gives 73.4 cu.ft. (2,078 L) of total space
Nice having a little more storage under the cargo floor

So How Quick Is It & How Does It Handle?

The 2.0L Twin-Scroll EcoBoost engine is adequate and the Edge never felt underpowered at any time, but it was never as responsive as the Escape even though they are the same engine. Possibly the difference is the Edge has an 8-speed transmission versus the Escape’s 6-speed
Throttle response is either on or off. Push the pedal just a tiny bit too far and it sprints forward
In sport mode the throttle is even jumpier, but the Edge feels a lot more responsive and dare I say it…sporty
Very quiet and hushed interior – as you’d expect of a vehicle in this class
The massive Panoramic Vista Roof opens up the interior and makes it nice and bright – I just love these glass roofs
Steering input is responsive and has a perfectly weighted feel to it
It feels very bulky – the fenders are quite pronounced from the driver’s seat, making it feel like the Edge is exceptionally wide. I just happened to drive an Explorer the same week, a bigger vehicle but it never felt as large as the Edge for some reason
Brakes are superb and easily modulated
Maximum Towing Capacity – 1,587 kg (3,500 lbs) with Class II Trailer Tow Package with Trailer Sway Control ($600)

Horsepower: 245 @ 5,550 rpm (Premium Fuel)
Torque: 275 @ 3,000 rpm (Premium Fuel)
Top Speed: 261 km/h / 137 mph
0 -100 km/h (sec): 7.3 seconds
0-60 mph (sec): 6.9

What Does It Cost? For up-to-date pricing and options in your region visit: www.Ford.ca or www.Ford.com

To Buy…
The Ford Edge base pricing starts at $34,599
Test Vehicle: Titanium (base price): $41,999 // As Tested: $53,149

To Operate…

Rated at (L/100 km): City -11.4 / Highway – 8.3 – actually better than the Escape with the same engine!!!
I averaged a very impressive 8.4 L/100 km during highway driving in the 110-120 km/h range
In fairy aggressive town/urban driving with heavy right feet we got an average of 11.0 L/100 km
Being a little gentler on the gas pedal,e. driving like regular people, I got 7.4 L/100 km
Auto Start-Stop is a nice bonus for city/town driving where you sit at the lights forever

Warranty:

Basic: 3 years/60,000 km
Powertrain: 5 years/100,000 km
Roadside Assistance: 5 years/100,000 km

The Competition
Honda Pilot, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, Lincoln Nautilus, Land Rover Discovery Sport, Mazda CX-9, Toyota Highlander

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

The Good: Good all-round SUV/CUV with plenty of room and loaded with safety features. Very comfortable too
More Good: I felt the fuel economy is worth mentioning – I was thinking we’d be in the 15 L/100 km range or worse with the way we were driving the Edge – it’s a blast to drive. To get 11.0 with lead-footed driving is impressive
The Bad: Can’t think of anything
The Ugly: Can’t think of anything

What’s The Verdict?

You’d be hard pressed to get a vehicle from any manufacturer that has this many safety and comfort features for this MSRP price… and that’s why you see so many of them on the road.

I’ve always liked the Edge, but this time around it was a little different. It wasn’t planned, but I drove an EcoSport, then an Escape and then the Edge back to back over three weeks. Each of them were the Titanium model (the EcoSport was an SES, the only real difference being the stereo and rims), and each of them impressed me way more than I expected. The Edge was obviously the best of the bunch based on its price and stature within the Ford line up, but to be 100% honest, I’d put my money on the Escape Titanium…. That was until I’d spent a week with it – it’s still the one I’d choose!

If you have or need an SUV/CUV in this size category you can’t go wrong with the Edge – it’s a quality product that looks great and the price can’t be beat.

Personal note: Unless you REALLY need a vehicle this big – most people don’t, then the Escape does most of what the Edge does – in a better size (my opinion). In North America we have to get over the mentality that bigger is always better – it’s not.

Vehicle’s features, options and my opinion/experience with them…

Noteworthy Features On Test Vehicle

Intelligent Access with Push-Button Start – makes life a whole lot easier, leave the fob in your pocket and just get on with life. A nice bonus also is the lock/unlock sensors on all 4 doors, not just the front ones add >>
SecuriCode keyless entry keypad – the best thing since sliced bread, once you have it you’ll always want it on your vehicle
Enhanced Active Park Assist – parking aid for those that can’t
Front 180 Degree Camera with Split View and Washer
Wireless Charging Pad
Hands-Free Foot-Activated Liftgate
Two (2) Driver-configurable 4.2-inch LCD Displays in Cluster
Hands-Free, Foot-Activated Power Liftgate – this is different from other systems. You don’t swipe your foot left/right, you do a kicking motion – for opening or closing the rear door. I really liked it – less chance of knocking yourself off-balance while carrying something heavy
Intelligent Access with Push-Button Start
Remote Start System
Bright Illuminated Scuff Plates
Power Tilt/Telescoping Steering Wheel
Heated Steering Wheel
10-Way Power Driver’s Seat and Front Passenger Seat
Driver’s Seat Memory Feature
Leather-Trimmed Sport Seats
Second Row Reclining 60/40 Fold-Down Seats with Center Fold-Down Armrest – there’s a button in the cargo area to flip the seats forward. Nice having that instead of having to go round to the rear doors and fight with the seat while trying to get a bulky item into the back
Heated Rear Seats
Post-collision braking: Automatically applies brake pressure when a collision event is detected
Evasive Steering Assist: Assists drivers in steering around stopped or slower vehicles in order to avoid a possible collision
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop-and-Go and Lane Centering: Allows the vehicle to maintain a comfortable driving distance and helps reduce stress during longer drives. The buttons on the steering wheel are simple, easy to see and use – not always the case in these fancy systems
110V/150W AC Power Outlet

Technology/Connection

SYNC3 AppLink, links your favorite compatible mobile apps with your voice, giving you convenient control over Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Android Auto compatibility displays the Android interface on your vehicle’s touchscreen. Get voice-guided navigation from Google Maps and Waze. Access your favorite music from your apps. Make calls. Send and receive messages. Just talk to Google Assistant and go.
iPhone – Apple CarPlay compatibility displays the iPhone interface on your vehicle’s touchscreen. Send and receive text messages by voice. Get directions. Access playlists from Apple Music. iPhone users can view the Waze app’s community-based navigation and traffic features
Amazon Alexa users can enjoy their Amazon Echo with the Ford+Alexa app
MyKey technology

Safety Features (Standard)

AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control (RSC)
Curve Control – if you drive too fast into a corner the system can sense it and reduces throttle response and the ABS system to keep you safe
BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-Traffic Alert – This is worth the extra money. Shortly after picking up the Escape I was reversing out of a parking spot with an F-150 on either side, obviously I couldn’t see anything coming. Slowly I backed out and the alarm went off. Some clown came racing through the parking lot – there is no way I’d have known he was there and would have pulled out in front of him.
Lane-Keeping System, which includes Lane-Keeping Alert, Lane-Keeping Aid and Driver Alert System – I liked this safety feature. The steering vibrates when you leave your lane, but not too much to make it annoying
Forward Sensing System – you don’t always get the forward version included, nice one Ford
Reverse Sensing System
Torque Vectoring Control – transfers torque to the wheels that have the most grip, reducing understeer and forces the front end closer to the inside of the curve
Automatic Headlights with Wiper Activation
Rain Sensing Wipers
Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
Auto Start-Stop Technology
Hill Start Assist
Engine Block Heater
LED Fog Lamps
Bi-LED Headlamps