The new Goldilocks. As consumers have gravitated toward larger vehicles, new niches have sprung up among SUVs and crossovers at all budgets. The 2020 Ford Edge strikes a balance between nearly all of them.
It’s larger than a compact crossover, but small for a mid-size. Larger than the Ford Escape but smaller than the Ford Flex or Ford Explorer, the Edge is for buyers who need a little of both.
It hits a middle ground on price, too. Upper trims come close to luxury car territory, while base trims stick closer to family-friendly value.
After a 2019 refresh, even the exterior looks like it’s blending multiple cars. The new look straddles the line between premium and sporty, and it works better than we expected.
Sporty and sportier. The Ford Edge follows through on its promise of performance. It’s available with two powertrains, the latter of which produces 335 horsepower in the Edge ST.
Putting the ST badge on a crossover is a bold choice, but the Edge ST lives up to the billing. It’s surprisingly sharp in the corners, and with a 0-60 mph time under six seconds, it’s far from slow.
If we had to choose, we’d prefer the base setup. The base turbocharged four-cylinder engine has plenty of power for everyday use, and the steering is precise and controlled. ST models ride stiffly on larger wheels, but the base 18-inchers keep things composed.
Plus, the ST demands a hefty price premium. It looks the part, but we’re happy enough with the rest of the line.
Jack of all trades. Carving corners isn’t all the Edge can do – the base engine will tow up to 3,500 pounds. That’s respectable by most standards, and far more than direct rivals like the Nissan Murano.
The interior is versatile, too. Second-row passengers get more legroom than those in a Murano or a Honda CR-V, and the trunk can fit 39.2 cubic feet of luggage behind them. That’s not too far behind true mid-sizers like the Toyota Highlander.
The trim lineup itself covers a wide range on both comfort and price. The base SE starts just past $32,000, undercutting the Murano by a hair, while upper Titanium trims start just under $40,000 and come with copious leather and chrome.
It isn’t all good news, however – the seats in lower trims are flat and harder than we’d like. In an otherwise thoughtful layout, they dent the Edge’s road-trip worthiness.
Old and new. This generation of Ford Edge dates back to 2015, and it shows its age in some areas. The interior is the biggest suspect, with a large plastic dash and a minimalist layout. It doesn’t look awful, but it’s not as modern or friendly as many competitors.
Efficiency is another holdover. The base model can only manage an EPA-estimated 24 miles per gallon combined, and that’s with front-wheel drive. These days, more crossovers are achieving a combined mpg in the high 20s, and some are available with hybrid powertrains.
Mitigating the Edge’s age is Ford’s inclusion of modern tech. The Edge comes with a comprehensive suite of active safety features, including automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, which helped propel it to an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. Not every competitor can keep up in this department, and it ought to win the Edge some fans among family buyers.
Those buyers will be even more pleased with the infotainment, which is the most modern part of the Edge’s interior. The bright central touchscreen is compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a wi-fi hot spot with a data subscription. We’re sure back-seat passengers will be grateful.
Final thoughts. Trying to cover many bases isn’t always a winning strategy, but the 2020 Ford Edge pulls it off well. It strikes a nice balance on both size and value, and it packs plenty of fun and practicality. It looks sharp, drives well, and remains capable for its size.
Our minor cabin complaints will keep us looking forward to the next update, but the Edge deserves a look from many shoppers.
