2018 Ford Edge Review: Crying Out For A Facelift

Having already been around for over a decade, the Ford Edge is bearing the test of time; but, it isn't doing much to stand out. The standard 2.0-liter turbo inline-four engine delivers a barely adequate 245 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque, begging you to upgrade to the optional V6, while the interior is falling behind the feature-packed offerings of rivals. Despite the lack of any fancy modern-day tricks that many manufacturers employ to increase utility, the Edge is a spacious midsize crossover. With an attractive price of just $29,315, it's also one of the cheapest ways to get behind the wheel of a dynamically talented SUV. But many midsize SUV rivals like the Mazda CX9 are offering a more featureful experience and many without sacrificing on enjoyment, performance, or without being too expensive - which makes the aging Edge a hard sell. Unless the upcoming facelift in 2019 makes some serious changes, the crossover may find itself a bit too minimalist for modern buyers.

What's the Price of the 2018 Ford Edge?

The base-level SE trim starts at $29,315 MSRP. The SEL will cost you $32,050, while the Titanium will set you back $36,025. Adding four-wheel-drive to any of these models will put an additional $1,995 on your quote. Getting behind the wheel of the top-tier Sport trim will cost you $40,770. These prices exclude tax, registration, licensing, and Ford's $995 destination charge.

Handling and Driving Impressions

Questionable acceleration aside, the Edge handles well enough for a larger vehicle. As is quite common in mainstream SUVs, the steering isn't very talkative, but it is surprisingly responsive, especially with the adaptive steering equipped to higher trims, offering a fair degree of resistance as you lean into each turn. As for the brakes - they don't disappoint, offering a stopping distance of 119 ft from 60 mph.

The suspension is a bit on the firmer side, but it is independent of the chassis, making for a pretty comfortable ride even over larger road imperfections without completely disregarding road feel. This changes with the top-tier Sport trim, however, especially with its large 20-inch wheels. Bumps and potholes can cause some serious discomfort in the cabin thanks to the sport-tuned suspension. On the plus side, it does provide better overall handling characteristics.

The comfortable seats and generally good ride quality make for an overall pleasant drive, even over long distances. The rear seats are naturally less pleasant than the front, but not so much so that they become unbearable. Noise is quite well-managed thanks to good cabin insulation.

Verdict: Is the 2018 Ford Edge A Good SUV?

The Ford Edge is certainly worthy of consideration. While not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, the SUV has several areas where it excels. Cargo space is one of its greatest strengths, with few rivals matching the impressive 39.2 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats. This area increases to 73.4 cubic feet if you fold down the rear seats, which are quite spacious themselves. Unfortunately, all that space doesn't really make up for the fact that their comfort is subpar. The front seats are far more impressive, thankfully.

The infotainment suite might be basic, but the upgraded Sync 3 system comes standard with smartphone integration, and you can opt for a better sound system, too. Unfortunately, safety features are sorely lacking - unless you spring for packages than include many of the features that certain rivals offer as standard, such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

Still, for the affordable starting price of $29,315, the Edge is relatively well-equipped. But, by the time you finish adding the features you really want to be included, you may find yourself paying the same as you would for rivals that offer the same as standard. And since they were designed to have those features, they often incorporate them better. With the Edge expecting a facelift in 2019, it may be wiser to wait and see what Ford does, or possibly jump ship to a rival that does it better.

What Ford Edge Model Should I Buy?

Specced correctly, the SEL should suit all your crossover SUV needs. It offers excellent space, both for passengers and cargo, and with the correct packages, it comes with enough features to keep you comfortable and safe. It may cost a little more, but we suggest springing for the stronger V6 engine, as the base four-cylinder isn't quite strong enough to make the SUV feel nimble on the road. At a starting price of $32,050, this trim seems like the best deal.

2018 Ford Edge Comparisons

2018 Ford Edge vs Ford Escape

The Escape is smaller than the Ford Edge, making it nimbler and less expensive. But, it is a less accomplished cruiser and lacks the impressive spaciousness and cargo capacity of its big brother. It suffers from a similarly underpowered base 2.5-liter engine with only 168 hp and 170 lb-ft on hand, and opting for the stronger 2.0-liter turbo engine on the upper trims will cost you a lot more on fuel, although the Escape relies on regular unleaded compared to the Edge's premium requirements. Most of the features available to the upper-tier Edge trims are also present in the Escape's versions, so it ultimately comes down to your specific requirements. The Escape is smaller and more agile with better handling, but the Edge is larger and somewhat more luxurious.

2018 Ford Edge vs Honda CR-V

Much like the Ford Escape, the CR-V is not a direct competitor to the Edge, but it is a pack leader in its own segment and can fill the larger SUV's role without too much difficulty. Despite its smaller size, the Honda offers comparable cargo capacity and makes only minor sacrifices in rear-passenger headroom. Neither of the two engines available to the Honda CR-V exceeds 200 hp and 200 lb-ft, but the subcompact's smaller dimensions and curb weight mean that it doesn't need as much power to maneuver on the road with agility. These smaller engines are also significantly more fuel-efficient than the Edge's, and the Honda is cheaper too. Overall, the CR-V is a better long term investment, and with a little extra capital outlay, you can get almost everything the Edge has to offer.