2022 Ford Edge

Much like its bigger brother, the Ford Explorer, the Ford Edge brings a solid all-round package to the table that is difficult to beat, despite not being spectacular in any given category. The Ford Edge is powered by a punchy 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot producing 250 horsepower and sends those ponies to all four wheels. Last year, the Edge received Ford's improved Sync 4A infotainment system. For 2022, the Edge gets some new packages and options and a few extra colors. This SUV drives well, can handle a lot of cargo, and is comfortable enough for long road trips. There's not much more you can expect from a car in this class and at this price. It goes up against competitors such as the Nissan Murano and Mazda CX-5 and is a hard act to follow.

The Ford Edge might not be the most exciting car to look at in the parking lot, but it's still a handsome thing, and 2022 models get a few new exterior packages to freshen things up. The SE features 18-inch silver-painted alloy wheels, while sporty models such as the ST-Line get 20-inch Premium Gloss Black wheels. Standard exterior features include Bi-LED low and high beam headlamps with auto on/off, and color-coded door handles, along with privacy glass on the rear doors, quarter, and liftgate windows. ST Line models get LED fog lamps and a panoramic vista roof is optional on all trims except the SE.

Classified as a mid-sized SUV, the Ford Edge shares similar dimensions to the Nissan Murano. This vehicle's large size will be appealing to those with families looking for a spacious vehicle. The total length of the Edge is 188.8 inches and it rolls on a 112.2-inch wheelbase. The total width is 75.9 inches, excluding the wing mirrors, and the Edge is 68.3 inches tall. Curb weight is 4,122 pounds.

Starting with the base SE model, you get to choose from seven colors including a new color, namely Forged Green. The others are Agata Black, Iconic Silver, Atlas Blue, Carbonized Gray, Oxford White, and Stone Blue. The SEL adds extra-cost colors such as Rapid Red and Burgundy Velvet for $495 or Star White for $795. With minor differences, the ST-Line and Titanium offer most of these colors. The sporty ST-Line looks especially good in Agate Black or Rapid Red. Desert Gold and Lithium Gray have been discontinued.

This segment of the car market isn't known for providing mind-blowing performance; it's not what these cars are about, and the majority of buyers in the USA understand this. The Ford Edge and competitors such as the Honda Passport and Nissan Murano are built to comfortably transport people and their stuff daily without feeling overwhelmed, and in that sense, the Ford Edge performs beautifully.

Under the hood of the new Ford Edge lies a turbocharged 2.0-liter petrol engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission that delivers 250 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque, but few will care how much power is available and will care more about how it drives. The good news is that there is ample lowdown grunt and, when you are really in a hurry, you can reach 60 mph in under seven seconds according to independent tests. Whereas its naturally-aspirated V6 competitors have to rev to the moon to access all their power, the Edge churns out tons of torque lowdown and has an impressive towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The Edge comes as a FWD car, but AWD is available at an extra cost.

There is a single engine and transmission option available for the Ford Edge. Unlike some of its competitors, who still make use of trusty naturally-aspirated V6 engines, Ford offers owners a punchy turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. The power figure is in the same league as the Honda Passport's 280 hp and the Nissan Murano's 260 hp but the Ford produces more torque than both of them. The difference is all about where this power is being made. Whereas the two Japanese rivals need to be revved out to gain access to their max power and torque, the Ford effortlessly pulls from any gear at most speeds. On city streets, there is enough get up and go for most situations, and there is still more than enough puff left at highway speeds to overtake slower moving traffic. The eight-speed auto transmission is smooth but can sometimes hunt for gears, despite the engine's broad powerband.

As long as an SUV can drive in a straight line, make a left and right-hand turn, and not spill coffee when going over speed bumps, then the majority of US drivers will consider it a good performer. It seems as though Ford took this to heart when it developed the Edge's suspension and chassis setup because the driving experience is so dull that you can basically break it down into these simple elements. Once on the road, the steering offers virtually zero feedback, but there's enough weight to inspire confidence when cruising on the highway. Throw the Edge through a set of twisty roads at speed, and you'll be met with minimal body roll, but understeer will creep in sooner than later, mitigating any sort of fun. The suspension setup aims to provide sedan-like damping, so it may feel slightly stiff at lower speeds but softens up as you speed up.

If you're looking for a more entertaining driving experience, then the Mazda CX-5 is a good option. Inside the Ford's cabin, road noise is kept to a minimum. With a complement of comfortable seats and contemporary amenities, the Edge is a pleasure to drive on long road trips.

The turbocharged Ecoboost engine found under the hood of the Edge might be a four-cylinder, but in reality, the gas mileage is similar to its naturally-aspirated V6 competitors. Last year's FWD derivatives return figures of 21/29/24 miles per gallon on the city/highway/combined cycles, but they've been discontinued this year. The default-for-2022 AWD is not much worse and achieves 20/28/23 mpg on the same cycles. Those figures are identical to the Nissan Murano AWD's 20/28/23 mpg, while the Honda Passport AWD sips more fuel at 19/24/21 mpg. AWD models get an 18.5-gallon tank, which allows for a maximum range of up to 426 miles. Overall, mpg figures for the Ford Edge are only average.

Once again, function takes preference over form. The interior of the Ford Edge is not bad to look at but can seem dated when compared to the elegant Mazda CX-5. The dashboard design is clean and straightforward, and the lack of buttons on the center console does create a minimalistic feel that is pleasing to the eye, but one can't help but feel that corners have been cut in terms of build quality and the choice of materials used. In the same breath, it doesn't feel like anything will fall apart in the first few months of ownership, but we think Ford could have done a better job here. At least the seats are comfortable, and the list of standard features reasonably long.

As with every other car in this class, the Ford Edge promises to seat five in comfort, but in reality two will be happier at the back. The rear seat can get tight for three adults, but three teenagers or kiddies won't have a problem fitting in the back. Legroom is generous in the front and back, and six-footers will enjoy the class-leading headroom. Those in the front get a four-way manually-adjustable driver's seat and a two-way passenger seat, while SEL models and upward get a 10-way power driver's seat and four-way power front passenger seat along with the Second Row EasyFold Seat. Titanium models give the front-seat passenger six-way power adjustability. These seats are superbly comfortable over long distances. Visibility out the front is good, but the Edge's chunky design means that A and C pillars are difficult to avoid when checking blind spots or reversing.

The cabin of the Edge does not seem up to par with competitors from Japan such as the beautifully appointed Mazda CX-5. As in prior Ford Edge reviews, we found some cheaper plastics that are of disappointing quality, but the overall build quality isn't terrible. The base model comes fitted with cloth seats in your choice of Ebony or Dune. The SEL gets ActiveX seating material which manages to feel more premium and durable at the same time and is also available in Ebony or Dune. So-called 'Unique Cloth' can also be specified for the SEL in the same color choices. The ST-Line gets Ebony ActiveX seats with Miko inserts. The Titanium is offered with leather upholstery in Ebony or Dune, or perforated leather in Ebony or Ceramic. For an added cost, the Titanium can be specced with the Titanium Elite Package with its Brunello perforated leather in either Ebony or Ceramic. The base model features a Dark Slate finish on the center console, and SEL models and upward get a leather steering wheel. Titanium models also add ambient lighting to highlight its leather interior.

Trunk, cargo, and passenger space are what most buyers care about in this segment of the car market. Sure, a set of leather seats and the latest infotainment system are nice-to-haves, but at the end of the day, these cars are here to serve a purpose. The Ford Edge manages to offer quite a bit of practicality, and its general cargo area dimensions and capacities are impressive. The Edge provides 39.2 cubic feet of space behind the second row, eclipsing both the Mazda CX-5 and Nissan Murano. Flip down the 60/40 split-fold-flat and reclining bench with fold-down armrest, and that space opens up to a cavernous 73.4 cubic feet, which dwarfs the Nissan Murano's 67 cubes.

Small items can be stored in the massive armrest console, passenger-side glove box, large door pockets, and seatback map pockets on both front seats. There's also space for a phone and keys on the upper dash storage tray, and there are eight cup holders in total. The center console also features a small storage tray. The Edge is ready to take on your family and all its stuff.

So it might not be a blast to drive, and it won't stir the emotions of passers-by, but one thing the Edge does offer is a lot of comfort and convenience, even in base form. The base model features a standard two-way manual front-passenger seat and a four-way manual driver's seat, dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control, intelligent access with push-button start, and a rear vision camera. The Ford Co-Pilot safety suite adds blind-spot assistance, lane-keep assist, post-collision braking, cross-traffic alert, a reverse sensing system, and an SOS post-crash alert system. The SEL includes features such as a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, a four-way power passenger seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, an EasyFold rear seatback release, a SecuriCode invisible keypad, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and two driver-configurable 4.2-inch LCD displays. The ST-Line adds features such as a universal garage door opener, a wireless charging pad, and a remote start system. Finally, Titanium models add rain-sensing windshield wipers, leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, and blue ambient lighting.

The most significant update for 2021 was the inclusion of Ford's Sync 4A infotainment system, which replaced the previous Sync 3 system. This system replaced the old eight-inch infotainment display with a more current 12-inch capacitive touchscreen system which features wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio with 360L, 911 Assist, over-the-air updates, and two smart charging USB ports. An AM/FM radio transceiver, Bluetooth streaming, and an audio input jack are also standard, as is 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity and a six-speaker sound system. Moving up to the Titanium will get you a standard 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system which sounds tremendous when jamming Two Worlds Become One by Tomb Mold. The Sync 4A system is a pleasure to use, and most should get comfortable with it in a day or two. Voice-activated navigation and a rear-seat infotainment system are optional.

A handful of recalls have affected the Ford Edge in the past few years, including recalls for the 2021 model for missing bolts on the start/stop accumulator, a malfunctioning rearview camera, and inadequate lubrication in the rear-drive unit. The latter issue also affected the 2021 model and is joined by another one for a misassembled driver's seatbelt. J.D. Power gave the 2020 Ford Edge good ratings with a quality and reliability score of 82; more recent years have not been rated yet.

Ford will cover the Edge with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, corrosion protection for all five of those years regardless of miles covered, and a roadside assistance plan of five years or 60,000 miles.

Following the NHTSA's Ford Edge crashworthiness review, the SUV was awarded a five-star overall rating and a four-star rating for the rollover test. The IIHS review of the 2021 model is outstanding: the IIHS was so impressed with the Ford Edge that it awarded it with a Top Safety Pick rating. However, the SUV's headlights were rated only as Acceptable at best.

The Ford Edge is one remarkably safe SUV and comes standard with multiple airbags, including dual front knee airbags. Other safety basics include LED headlights, cruise control, a reverse camera, and hill start assist. The big news here is Ford's Co-Pilot 360 technology suite of driver aids. This package includes blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, and an SOS post-crash alert system. SEL models and up are offered with adaptive cruise control and lane centering, and evasive steering. Other available safety features include enhanced active park assist system with parallel parking, reverse perpendicular parking, and forward and side sensing systems.

The Ford Edge SUV manages to fly under the radar but stands out at the same time. The exterior looks aren't anything special, but it's still a handsome-looking thing, and the same can be said about the interior; it's not all that flashy and refined, but it's attractive enough, but most importantly, it's comfortable and well specced. The 2.0-liter engine under the hood offers strong performance and fair economy. The Edge isn't as exciting to drive as some of its Japanese rivals, but it is comfortable enough for long road trips. What the Edge does well is offer a lot of car for not a lot of money; its standard features list is impressive, its Sync 4A infotainment system and 12-inch display are great to use, and it comes with a good amount of driver-assistance tech. There's also lots of passenger and cargo space in the Ford Edge. It's no wonder that this vehicle sells as well as it does.

One of the Ford Edge's key selling points is the fact that it sells for a competitive price. The base model SE AWD starts with an MSRP of only $34,905 excluding tax, registration, and a destination fee of $1,245. The SEL will set you back $37,345. The cost of the Ford Edge climbs to $41,095 for the ST-Line and the Platinum goes for the same price.

The 2022 lineup of Ford Edge models comprise four trims: SE, SEL, ST-Line, and Titanium. With the demise this year of the FWD models, they are all identical mechanically, using the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, sending its power to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The base SE trim comes with LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, and color-coded door handles. On the inside, it has cloth upholstery, standard dual-zone climate control, a manually tilting/telescoping steering wheel, push-button start, two 12-volt power outlets, and cruise control. The Sync 4A infotainment system uses a 12-inch touchscreen and includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, Wi-Fi, four USB ports, and a six-speaker audio system. Safety is covered by eight airbags, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The SEL trim upgrades to ActiveX upholstery, electrically adjustable and heated front seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, two 4.2-inch configurable driver-information displays, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and an EasyFold release for the rear seatback.

ST-Line trim additionally gains 20-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, a SecuriCode keyless-entry keypad, a universal garage-door opener, remote start, a power liftgate, a 110-volt/150-watt AC power outlet, alloy pedal covers, and wireless device charging.

The flagship Titanium adds to all this 19-inch alloy wheels, brushed stainless steel exhaust tips, laminated front side glass, rain-sensing wipers, leather upholstery, a memory feature for the driver's seat and exterior mirror settings, a six-way power front passenger seat, ambient lighting, a hand-free, gesture-controlled liftgate, a heated steering wheel, and a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system.

From this year, the base model is available with a new $1,217 Black Appearance Package that adds blacked-out exterior styling features and black 19-inch alloy wheels. The SEL gives you access to the $1,295 Convenience Package, which adds power liftgate, perimeter alarm, universal garage-door opener, remote start, fog lights, AC power outlet, wireless phone charging, and more. New for 2022 is the SEL's $1,295 Adventure Package that contains gray 18-inch wheels, dark lower exterior trim, ActiveX upholstery in Navy Pier with orange stitching, black mirrors, and black roof side rails. The Titanium is offered with the impressive 301A Package which, for $2,370, adds features such as navigation, ventilated front seats, a 180-degree camera, and adaptive cruise control.

Some competitors offer a more premium experience out the gate, so we wouldn't bother going for something like the Titanium. Instead, we'd suggest looking at the affordable SEL. For $37,345, the SEL offers precisely the same powertrain as the more expensive trim levels. The interior gets tastefully upholstered ActiveX seating material, and the standard features list sees the addition of a ten-way power, heated front seat with driver's memory feature, and a six-way power passenger seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, an EasyFold rear seatback, twin configurable 4.2-inch digital driver-information displays, and a leather steering wheel.

The Ford Escape was fully redesigned for 2020 and still feels as fresh as ever. This crossover SUV is smaller than the Edge, so it will only make sense for those who don't need the extra space afforded by the Edge. Under the hood of the Escape, you'll find a 1.5-liter turbocharged 181-hp three-cylinder EcoBoost engine. This makes the Escape feel surprisingly peppy, all while using less fuel. Thanks to its more compact dimensions and lighter weight it's also a more fun drive, but by comparison, the Edge is still more comfortable over longer trips. The interior is arguably more pleasing and feels more up to date, and the standard and optional features list is also slightly more impressive and includes offerings such as a head-up display. The Escape doesn't offer as much space, but it is the better car overall.

The Edge sits below the Explorer in Ford's SUV lineup. The Explorer can seat up to seven people and also comes with a range of more powerful engines. Under the hood of the Explorer, you get to choose between a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-pot that develops 300 hp or a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 that can deliver as much as 400 hp in ST guise. It even offers a 318-hp hybrid option. The Explorer offers more utility in nearly every aspect; it has a higher towing capacity than the Ford Edge, it can carry more people and stuff, and it's better equipped. This comes at a significant price increase on higher trims, but in lower-spec forms, it's closely matched to well-specced Edge variants. Ultimately, it will be entirely up to the buyer to decide if they need the extra seating capacity and luxuries such as standard tri-zone climate control. If you don't need the space, stick with the cheaper Explorer.