Originally published July 2, 2015
Last week, I received an invite to drive the the all-new, second-generation Ford Edge. This time, instead of getting on a plane and driving the Edge in a faraway land, I had the chance to drive it in my own backyard, Toronto. The new Edge, assembled in Oakville, Ontario, will be going global in 100 markets for the first time and it will be making its debut over in Europe this year.
The new Edge will come available with three engines and four trims – SE, SEL, Titanium, and Sport – all are available with AWD. This comes as no surprise, as according to Ford, 75 percent of all Ford Edges sold in Canada are AWD.
I’ve always been a fan of the Ford Edge. For what it is, I believe the last generation Ford Edge was the best example of its vehicle type in terms of styling, driving manners, price point and options. I feel like its competitors just didn’t offer enough to dethrone the Edge from its mid-size, five-seat crossover SUV throne. The all-new Edge sets out to retain that crown and I’m fairly certain it will remain popular, especially considering the standard engine is a 2.0L Ecoboost turbocharged four-cylinder pumping out a healthy 250 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque. When you tick off the Sport AWD box, you’re now rewarded with a 2.7L Ecoboost turbocharged V6 pumping out an astonishing 315 hp and 360 lb-ft of torque. If turbocharging isn’t your thing, buyers can still opt for the naturally aspirated 3.5L V6 putting out a linear 280 hp and 250 lb-ft.
The 2015 Edge is unmistakably still an Edge but it does have an entirely refreshed look about it. The new front end is a toss up. Some buyers will love the new punchier-looking front end, while other buyers will feel the Edge’s aggressive looks have softened. The last Edge had an aggressive front facade with sharp headlights and a pointed nose, featuring high-end looking LED running lights. The grille was large and as aggressive as the grille on an F-150 truck. The new front end loses the look that marked the Edge as distinctly American and unique, and fits more in line with the other SUVs on the market. This isn’t a bad thing necessarily, it just marks a change.
The new platform is based on the Ford Fusion sedan that debuted in 2012. Compared to the outgoing model, the new Edge is 26 percent stiffer when reacting to bending forces and 16 percent stiffer when reacting to twisting forces. The Edge receives an all-new suspension to take full advantage of that stiffer frame. The AWD versions have an entirely reworked suspension front and rear and the FWD versions retain the MacPherson-type front suspension, but features a sophisticated new integral-link independent rear with coil springs and a 23-mm antiroll bar. This all translates into more ride comfort but also improved handling.
