2015 Ford Edge: First Look
Competes with: Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Murano, Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
Looks like: The current Fusion’s styling, stretched to fit the new Edge
Drivetrain: Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6 or a 3.5- liter V-6; six-speed automatic transmission; front- or all-wheel drive
Hits showrooms: Early 2015
Ford Motor Co. has unveiled the next-generation 2015 Ford Edge at a special event at the company’s headquarters in Dearborn, Mich. The crossover moves to a new platform that also underpins the latest Ford Fusion and gains an all-new suspension, two new engines and a host of safety and convenience features to make the midsize SUV one very technologically advanced family vehicle.
Exterior
The Edge is now a global vehicle for Ford and will be sold not only in North America but China and Europe too. As such, it’s been fully integrated into Ford’s global design language for 2015 — if you like the new Fusion, Focus and Escape, you’ll like the Edge. The new model doesn’t move the styling needle at all for the brand, but it does put the new standard Ford face on the SUV, as well as a taillight treatment that combines the look of the Fusion with the full-width lighting of the Lincoln MKC (optional on higher trims).
The Edge grows slightly too, with an inch added to the wheelbase and nearly 4 inches added to the overall length. The general package remains the same: a two-box design that should look familiar to shoppers in the market. The Sport trim level gets body-colored lower trim, black smoked wheels that match the grille and most of the previous generation’s chrome is replaced by gloss-black trim. A new Titanium trim level also joins the SE, SEL and Limited trims.
Interior
Inside, it looks just like all the other Ford SUVs — a scaled-down version of the Explorer would be an accurate description. Interior volume has been increased too, with nearly 7 cubic feet more of cargo room and more head- and legroom for all passengers. Materials quality makes a jump over the current Edge as does its level content — the new Edge practically bristles with optional electronic gadgetry and safety equipment. Most noticeable to drivers may be a new adaptive steering feature that changes the steering ratio based on speed. This means less turning the steering wheel in parking lots than you would have previously in order to get around obstacles or turns.
The list of available electronic equipment is impressive and includes:
- Adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support
- Stop-start technology
- Blind spot warning
- 180-degree front-mounted camera with washer for seeing around corners
- Enhanced park assist for pulling into and out of parallel and perpendicular parking spots
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Forward and reverse sensing systems
- Hands-free foot-triggered tailgate
- Lane keep assist
- Side-parking sensors
Under the Hood
There are three powertrain options for the Edge, starting with Ford’s first standard EcoBoost engine. An updated turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder will be standard, while the carryover 3.5-liter V-6 remains the optional engine. The Edge Sport gets something special — a turbocharged 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 that will also be optional on the new 2015 Ford F-150 pickup truck. No horsepower or fuel economy numbers were provided by Ford. Those figures will reportedly come later in the year as the launch of the new model approaches. All engines will be mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive the standard setup. Unlike the previous model years, all-wheel drive will be optional on all engine configurations. Ford says the suspension is all-new for the Edge, with a firmer sport-oriented setup specified for the Edge Sport model.
Safety
An active glove box knee airbag is new; it’s designed to cushion the front passenger’s knees in a collision and is integrated into the glove box door between the inner and outer panels. AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control will be the standard stability system, while Curve Control uses the same sensors to help a vehicle follow its intended path while negotiating a curve.
Check out the gallery below.
Manufacturer images; Cars.com photos by Aaron Bragman
