Back during a time when the Explorer was classified as being a mid-size SUV, this body-on-frame heap of Americana was sold in the UK, complete with a rather thirsty naturally aspirated V8 engine. Due to sluggish sales, the Blue Oval had to concede that it was a bit of a long shot to export the Explorer into Europe. Be that as it may, an old saying tells us that mistakes are how you learn.
The same applies to the Ford Motor Company. Ford hasn’t sold a mid-size SUV in the Old Continent through official channels since 2002. That’s when Ford pulled the plug on the EU-spec Explorer. Now, though, there’s a new kid on the block in the form of the 2016 Ford Edge. When I say “new,” however, I mean that it’s fresh for Europe. In the U.S., the second generation of the Ford Edge made its debut roughly two years ago for the 2015 model year.
From a visual standpoint, there’s nothing quite like the Edge in the Old Continent. While I am head over heels for almost everything the U.S. contributed to the automotive industry, there are a lot of Europeans who have yet to understand the appeal of four-wheeled Americana. The exception to this rule is the Mustang, which some Europeans regard as being exotic.
The Ford Edge featured in the adjacent photographs is the Sport trim level, which is second-best to the Vignale premium model. The moment I first saw the car I was going to test drive, the front end hit me with the same force as a MacBook Pro’s price. That very moment, I thought to myself: “Hey, doesn’t the grille of the Edge Sport looks similar to that of the Ranger Wildtrak?”
Photo: Florin Profir
Flanking the hexagonal grille are two headlight clusters styled to give the Edge a visual edge (no pun intended). Our model came with adaptive LED headlights, which pay dividend in the exterior design department as compared to the standard halogen units. If I may move on to the profile of the 2016 Ford Edge Sport for the European market, it should be noted that the 5x2-spoke 20-inch black-painted alloy wheels and black plastic rocker panels look the part. The character and sill lines add even more visual perks.
The Sport model also comes with firmer springs, which help with straight-line speed and cornering prowess. While the 255/45 R20 Pirelli Scorpion Verde rubber and black wheels create the illusion that the Edge Sport is more hunkered down than its siblings, this model offers a ride height of 201 mm (7.9 in), which is more than enough for owners to go off the beaten track.
When it comes down to rear-end styling, it’s plain to understand where Ford looked for inspiration. Just like the Lincoln Navigator and Continental, the full-width taillights perfectly complement the design of the Edge. The width of this mid-size crossover is further accented by the tailgate-integrated spoiler, the rear aerodynamic diffuser, as well as the trapezoidal exhaust tips. Overall, I believe that the Sport suits the character of the Edge like a hand in glove.
Other than the Sport model pictured here in the most expensive exterior paint option available in Europe (White Platinum: €1,200 or £825), the 2016 Ford Edge can be had in base-spec Trend (or Zetec in the UK), mid-range Titanium, and top-of-the-line Vignale flavor. The Trend and Titanium look pretty much the same, save for the wheel design, while the Vignale model stands out from the rest thanks to a dark matte grille with a polished aluminum surround.
Photo: Florin Profir
Despite its generous size for European roads, the Edge gives the impression that it was designed from the beginning to wink at the European customer in the market for an offbeat crossover SUV. It is unlike anything else volume and premium manufacturers offer in the mid-size and compact segments. Yes, I surely did mention the compact crossover SUV segment, chiefly because the Euro-spec 2016 Ford Edge doesn’t have direct rivals in the mid-size segment.
Ford of Europe made it clear that the Edge is aimed at a customer pool labeled “Quintastics.” The Blue Oval explains that word stands for those peeps who are aged between from 50 through 59 years, people who Ford believes that they’re “increasingly likely to continue to follow active pursuits.” If that's the case according to Ford's assessment, it seems like 50 is the new 30.
The closest rival I can think of is the Volkswagen Touareg, which knocks on the door of premium and it's considerably more costly than the Edge. Models such as the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe are similar in size, but they’re less expensive and they offer seating for seven. What’s more, the base price of the 2016 Ford Edge in Europe (€42,900 and £29,995, respectively) puts it very close to the Audi Q5 and the BMW X3, compact-sized crossover SUVs that are inherently premium. Alas, the Ford Edge finds itself in no man's land.
On that note, the 2016 Ford Edge is a one-trick pony in the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe, chiefly because it appeals to those who want to break the norm with what's probably the best thing about this car: the design.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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