Road Test: 2019 Ford Edge Titanium

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Upscale Accommodations in a Midsize SUV

First Time, Strong Impression

Even though the Ford Edge has been around since 2006, like many of you, I have never been in one. I’ll take the hit on that one, especially with the excellent first impression imprinted on me when I slid behind the wheel of the redesigned 2019 Edge Titanium.

2019 Ford Edge
A new front edge

New front and rear styling accompanies the interior re-do, making for an attractive five-passenger midsize SUV. Available in four trim levels and two engine options, as well as front- (FWD) or all-wheel (AWD) drive, anyone looking for a crossover that isn’t too large, but can handle a family and their gear, needs to place the Ford Edge on their shopping list.

Two Engines, One Transmission

The 2019 Ford Edge comes with the option of either a 2.0-liter or 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine. A quick primer on Ford’s EcoBoost engine technology. All EcoBoost engines are turbocharged, which is a process of forcing more air into an engine, producing more power without sacrificing fuel economy. The next element of this engine is the direct fuel injection, which simplifies the fuel delivery process, resulting in better efficiency. The 2.0-liter comes in the SE, SEL and Titanium trim levels, but stepping-up to the ST gets you the 2.7-liter and higher performance.

The 2-liter EcoBoost engine was enough to move the Edge smoothly

Clean Fleet Report spent a week in the 2019 Edge Titanium FWD, with the 2.0-liter engine that put out 250 horsepower (hp) and 275 pounds-feet (lb.-ft.) of torque. If you choose to get sporty, the Edge ST rates 335 hp and 380 lb.-ft. of torque. We are familiar with Ford’s EcoBoost engines, having come across them in several different models. Our impression of the 2.0-liter is it is quiet upon idle and takes little effort getting up to speed. The acceleration is smooth and torque is readily available, especially when getting onto a highway or passing a slow poke.

The eight-speed automatic transmission is new for 2019, and veers from the 10-speed found in the Ford F-150 and the Mustang, and competitors’ nine-speed transmissions. Ford felt the eight-speed gave superior efficiency at a lower weight and cost compared to a nine or 10-speed.

EPA fuel estimates for the 2.0-liter are 22 city/29 highway/25 combined. Over 310 miles of driving Southern California freeways, we averaged 26.8 mpg. However, in a 175 mile all-freeway run with the adaptive cruise control set at 65 mph, we average 31.1 mpg. So if driven steadily over long distances, such as a family road trip, exceeding 30 mpg is a real possibility.

Hitting the Road

The engine has some get-up-and-go and went through the eight gears smoothly. Upshifts were seamless and kept the engine in the right power band without hunting. The Sport drive mode held the shifts a bit longer, up and down, but this isn’t the sporty Edge. Check-out the Edge ST to feel the difference.

Grip and good looks on four corners

The ride quality was solid, quiet and not affected by normal road imperfections. The 3,959-pound Edge never felt heavy, and long trips were comfortable. Cornering was confident, with the 20-inch 245/50 Pirelli Scorpion Verde all-season tires gripping the road well.

Behind the Wheel

Clean Fleet Report was driving the fully optioned Edge Titanium that had leather standard for the heated, 10-way power adjustable driver and passenger seats that were also cooled as part of an option package. That package also heated the rear, 60/40 folding leather seats, and added a power panoramic sunroof. Rear head and leg room was excellent. The storage, especially with the rear seat folded flat, exceeded the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Murano and Subaru Outback. So if you are  frequently hauling longer or bulkier items, this could be a consideration.

The Edge blends comfort with a high degree of standard and optional safety tech

A hands-free, power liftgate is standard, along with LED fog and headlights, rain sensing windshield wipers, auto stop/start and remote start. The dash on the 2019 Edge is compact, with all controls and gauges focused on the driver. While Ford Co-Pilot360 is optional, it includes a long list of safety features, including evasive steering, 180-degree camera, adaptive cruise control with lane centering, pre-collision assist, blind spot warning and active park assist. The leather-wrapped steering wheel has cruise and audio controls.

The 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen infotainment system, came with an 8.0-inch LCD capacitive high-resolution touch-screen. The SYNC3 system included voice command navigation along with SiriusXM/FM/CD/HDAM with MP3 playback capability. The SiriusXM service is included for six months. There is an auxiliary audio jack, USB ports with iPod connectivity, music streaming via Bluetooth wireless technology, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 4G Wi-Fi hot spot and wireless charging pad were appreciated, modern features.

Pricing

The 2019 Ford Edge comes in seven models–SE, SE AWD, SEL, SEL AWD, Titanium, Titanium AWD and ST. The starting MSRP ranges from $29,995 to $43,350. Clean Fleet Report’s 2019 Edge Titanium FWD, including options, had a MSRP of $43,895. All prices do not include the $995 destination charge.

Warranties

Bumper-to-Bumper – Three years/36,000 miles

Powertrain – Five years/60,000 miles

Roadside Assist – Five years/60,000 miles

Corrosion – Five years/Unlimited miles

Observations: 2019 Ford Edge Titanium FWD

The Ford Edge was freshened for 2019 and looks sharp as a result. It offers plenty of features in the Titanium top trim level, which Clean Fleet Report drove for a week. The Edge resides in a fiercely competitive midsize SUV category, where the competition is a moving target with redesigned models seemingly coming out every year.

Good-looking feature-full & fuel efficient

The 2019 Ford Edge Titanium handles tight on twisty roads with steering that delivers good road feedback. The looks are eye-catching and it is sized just right for in-town driving and mall parking. Combine this with an extensive list of convince features, driver safety systems and 30+ mpg–and the 2019 Ford Edge should be on your shopping list.

Whatever you end up buying, Happy Driving!

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Disclosure:

Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.

Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.

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John Faulkner

John Faulkner is Road Test Editor at Clean Fleet Report. He has more than 30 years’ experience branding, launching and marketing automobiles. He has worked with General Motors (all Divisions), Chrysler (Dodge, Jeep, Eagle), Ford and Lincoln-Mercury, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Toyota on consumer events and sales training programs. His interest in automobiles is broad and deep, beginning as a child riding in the back seat of his parent’s 1950 Studebaker. He is a journalist member of the Motor Press Guild and Western Automotive Journalists.
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