During the period in which the Model T was made, salesmen of other manufacturers are believed to have coined an infamous running joke that goes like, “It’s not a car. It’s just a Ford.” The gag soldiers on, despite the fact that FoMoCo stepped up its game.
The F-150, for example, is the first full-size pickup truck to use aluminum extensively. The Focus RS and its “Drift Mode,” on the other hand, is regarded as being one of the hottest hot hatchbacks to be put into production in recent years. Lastly, the Vignale trim level showed that Ford knows how to make the interior of a regular car feel that little bit more premium. The cabin of the Edge Sport for the European market, however, could’ve been a little better.
Because it is based on the CD4 global mid-size platform, the Edge is indirectly related to the S-Max seven-seat people carrier. Similarities continue inside, where the second-generation Edge borrows the dash and switchgear from the second-generation S-Max. That includes the design of the air vents. I admit that I’m a fan of it all, but then again, don’t forget how the Edge is marketed.
As I’ve explained in the design evaluation chapter, the Euro-spec Edge is a mid-size crossover SUV with no direct rival in sight due to a number of reasons. But when you think about the retail pricing, chances are you’ll notice that something doesn’t add up. While the S-Max is priced from €30,400, the 2016 Ford Edge is €42,900 and it’s marketed as such: “Sitting at the pinnacle of our SUV range, the New Ford Edge is the epitome of modern refinement.”
Moving on to quality and fit & finish, it should be noted that the Edge doesn’t try to impress. There’s no scratchy plastic, no creaks, and the seats are excellent for the long haul. Another thing that should be said about the Ford Edge’s interior is that the cabin is covered in average-feeling plastic. And as uncanny as that may sound, that can be considered a good thing.
Photo: Florin Profir
Let me explain: even in premium models from the likes of BMW, the lower part of the dashboard is chock-full of low-quality plastic, while good-quality, rubbery-feeling plastic is used for the upper part of the cabin. In the Edge, the quality of the plastic is consistent throughout the interior. The upshot is that the interior doesn’t feel as special as one would expect from this sort of car.
Having resisted the temptation to give it *seven seats instead of five, Ford gave the Edge plenty of kneeroom, headroom, as well as shoulder room. The central armrest, for example, lets you store as many as four bottles of water. And the cup holders, well, few manufacturer do cup holders better than Ford. Cargo volume is also sizable at 602 liters (21.26 cubic feet) with a 17-inch spare wheel and 1,847 liters (65.22 cubic feet) with the rear seats folded.
Except for the Vignale, all other trim levels of the 2016 Ford Edge for the European market come with cloth upholstery. Alas, the leather-and-Miko-Perf-suede seats in our Sport model are optional. What’s also an extra is the generously-sized panoramic sunroof, which gives the cabin an airy feel.
Another area where the interior of the Edge excels is visibility. When compared to the Euro-spec Ford Mondeo’s thick A-pillars flanked by useless quarter windows, the Edge is a much better affair. Without quarter windows but with slimmer pillars, navigating a junction is an easy task in the Edge.
Photo: Florin Profir
By contrast, the SYNC 2 infotainment system feels outdated compared to the QNX-based SYNC 3 the Edge gets in the North America. To its defense, my Microsoft Lumia phone connected flawlessly to SYNC 2. Voice commands represent another highlight of the Windows Embedded-based system.
The passengers, meanwhile, will be happy to charge their devices in the 2016 Ford Edge Sport. Our Edge came with two 12V power outlets and not one, but two USB ports in the front, as well as a 12V outlet and a 230V/150W AC outlet in the rear. Another 12V outlet is in the trunk for you to power up a portable refrigerator. Similar to the Mondeo and S-Max, the European version of the Edge can also be had with inflatable rear seat belts. The optional restraint system is designed to reduce injuries in frontal crashes by distributing the energy across a chest area five times greater than usual.
Then there's something called Active Noise Control, a technology that works pretty much the same way noise-cancelling headphones do. The system uses microphones to monitor noise, then automatically cancels out unwanted noises by directing opposing sound waves via the SYNC 2-operated audio system. Thus, it's a pretty serene experience to be seated in the Ford Edge.
To wrap things up, the interior of the 2016 Ford Edge Sport is close, but no cigar. Ergonomics are great, fit & finish is adequate for a Ford, ambient lighting is standard across the range, but the problem is that this crossover SUV’s interior doesn’t feel special enough, at least not at this price point.
Overall, it's fair to say that this is definitely a step in the right direction for the Blue Oval and its One Ford plan. Top tip: if you want your Edge to feel plusher than our test car does, it's recommended you go for the Vignale trim.
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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