Driving Report: Ford Edge Smart, beautiful, faster

Ford is currently traveling in rough terrain. This does not just apply to northern Sweden, where the retreaded SUV Edge is on the road. Also, the whole group has to save - in the US, there is therefore a debate as the rival GM, only on SUV instead of vans or sedans to set.

In Europe Ford still swears by the future of Mondeo or Galaxy. But the 4,83 meter long SUV Edge will be more important than ever - as a spaceship and laid-back glider it should increasingly attract fans of older vehicle concepts on board. First tests in the snow-covered Östersund show that Ford has developed the model in the right direction.

This proves itself first of all the price: The Edge is significantly upgraded with an action starting price from 36.990 Euro initially even cheaper than before. The two two-liter diesel offer a little more power with 140 kW / 190 PS and 175 kW / 238 PS (promotional price from 46.790 Euro). The smaller is still on the road with six-speed switch. The runs clean through the streets, but the SUV does not move completely smoothly. A major improvement is the new eight-speed automatic of the larger twin-turbo diesel. It switches much softer than the previously installed six-speed DSG and conveys more limousine flair. The rotary selector switch of the machine also creates space in the center console - for example, to access the wireless charger.

On snowy roads and off-road, the Edge offers the extra portion of sovereignty. Reductions or mechanical locks like a real off-road vehicle do not exist, but the Edge continues to crawl on more than just unpaved roads. Unlike in the US versions, all-wheel drive is always standard, the Americans have upgraded it once again.

The clever "Total Traction System" permanently measures the grip of the tires on the road surface and then variably ensures the optimum torque transfer between the four wheels. What is to be felt? Nothing - except that the Edge remains supersatt on the road even in the most adverse conditions.

And if four-wheel is not needed, the entire system turns off largely, so that almost no necessary mechanics go along. That should make the SUV again economical. An average of 6,7 liters on 100 kilometers promise the makers of the big diesel. When riding through hunchbacked track and some sprint on the road, it goes more of course about the eight-liter mark.

A space giant according to Van-Art, the Edge is still not. The crouched, almost coupé-like figure will not inspire the die-hard Galaxy driver - not to mention missing sliding doors. But inside there is quite enough space in length, height and especially width for the normal family. Up to 1.847 liters of cargo space are of course also a word. And clearly: The Edge with its enlarged grille and the adventure appeal looks much cooler.

In terms of substance, the Edge impresses with its very balanced suspension, which can keep up with the best in its class. And inside, too, there are significant material improvements, not only in the exclusive Vignale version, which could also attract more price-sensitive premium buyers. The gray veil on plastic has already given way to the trend in the basic variant. The Edge is already on 19-inch alloy wheels. With Titanium, ST-Line and the more luxurious Vignale-Line it is a lot more generous outside and inside with lacquer, light metal and leather. In addition, there is the very good, fixed touchscreen navigation system and, if required, the concert atmosphere from the high-end audio system from Bang & Olufsen with twelve speakers.

The comforting care on long distances is not only thanks to heated, ventilated and extremely comfortable stalls or an active noise cancellation via the speakers (so-called noise canceling) a domain of the Edge. In safety and assistance systems, the Ford now pretty much everything that is currently possible in much more expensive top models of the competition: From LED headlights (on request adaptive) and belt airbag behind the stowage pilot, backup helpers up to the multi-collision brake, which brings the vehicle to a halt after an accident, is all there. Also, the rearward parking with cross traffic alarm and automatic emergency braking offers the Edge; This will soon be mandatory in the US. And ten Wi-Fi connections should be enough for Youtube, Facebook and Instagram traffic in the back seats.

To be able to really keep up with the premium competitors from Germany, it would need an additional drive with more steam. Den have the Ford makers with the 235-PS gasoline engine - but as ST only in the gasoline price paradise USA is to have. In this country, there will only be an optically sport-tuned ST line variant. But who knows what else Ford is pushing, if one day Mondeo or Galaxy are no longer available?