2023 Ford Edge Buyer’s Guide
Midsize SUVs have gone through quite the evolution over the years, haven’t they? SUVs have generally faced upward popularity since their initial popularity boom in the 1990s and early 2000s, but towards the late 2000s to the early 2010s, people more-or-less had an idea of what they wanted from different SUV types. Drivers looking for full-size SUVs have their choice of spacious and strong vehicles, commuters with occasional passengers have compact SUVs for fuel-efficiency coupled with cargo space, and midsize SUVs have the advantage of being somewhere in between, and one such vehicle is the Ford Edge.
The Edge was first introduced with the release of the 2007 model, and over fifteen years later, many would agree the Edge has stood on its own in a market constantly fighting against it and its esteemed manufacturer. Like its venerable creator, the Edge destroys expectations and is undoubtedly a vehicle you should consider, and the best way to do that is to visit us at DePaula Ford because we’re your Ford Edge dealer in the greater area of Upstate New York. Today, we’ve written a buyer’s guide so you can have an idea of what type of features you can expect with your base model and the ones you can opt for should you want to spend some extra money.
Trims
Many of the Ford Edge features you care about are relegated throughout the list of five trims. Although many features can be installed on lower-end trims thanks to optional upgrades, it may be worth picking a higher trim off the bat based on its features and price. The Ford Edge starts at an MSRP of $37,945 for the base trim, otherwise known as the Edge SE.[a] The Edge SE comes with what some would argue are the most necessary amenities––features other manufacturers regularly lock behind annoying paywalls. For example, the base Edge SE comes with a large infotainment center with plenty of media features and the benefit of the Ford Co-Pilot360 Safety Suite.
The Ford Edge SEL, the following trim, comes with Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+, which adds upon the other standard features with Lane Centering and Adaptive Cruise Control that accelerates and decelerates automatically based on the other vehicles in your path. The SEL is also more suited to enhance your comfort with a standard eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat to replace the four-way manual driver’s seat in the base model.
The next trim you can purchase is the Edge ST-Line, and its most notable inclusion is more luxurious interior materials and features, such as the leather steering wheel, while retaining the eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. The ST-Line’s seats are crafted with excellent ActiveX material, which is not only high-quality, but they won’t show stains and other blemishes easily, either. The Edge ST-Line also means exclusive exterior flourishes like an ST-Line badge, and your headlamps are switched out for LED bulbs that extend further into the distance at a higher luminance.
The Edge Titanium is far more premium than any of the preceding trims, with its ten-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and six-way power-adjustable passenger seat, both heated, and a heated steering wheel. You get a world-class 12-speaker sound system with a dedicated bass channel courtesy of Bang & Olufsen––one of the most prolific leaders in the audio industry. The Edge Titanium is built to make your life easier, and the foot-activated liftgate is an example of this. We’ve all been there with bags in our hands and unable to lift our trunk doors open, but no longer will this be an issue.
The Edge ST––the last available trim––is the most performant of the bunch, thanks to a brake system exclusively crafted and tuned for high-performance levels. Most importantly, the Edge ST is the only Edge model to offer a better powertrain, which leads us directly into our next topic: powertrains.
Powertrains
Of the five 2023 Ford Edge trims, 80% of the Edge trims come equipped with the same engine. The SE, SEL, ST-Line, and Titanium all come with a turbocharged 2.0L I-4 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. What this means is a baseline performance level that sees the SUV output 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, assisting the Edge in achieving a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The 2023 Edge is much like the 2022 model in that front-wheel drive is not available for the Edge, which was officially retired after the 2021 Edge as a front-wheel drivetrain created a contrast in towing capacities while being barely beneficial with fuel efficiency. Even with all-wheel drive, the base engine in the Edge gets EPA-estimated ratings of 21 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway.
Opting for the ST means you’re getting a larger and stronger turbocharged engine: a 2.7L turbocharged V6, to be precise. The performance differentials are large enough to warrant those drivers looking to push their SUVs further while willing to spend extra money for the more premium top-of-the-line ST trim to go for it. The turbocharged 2.7L V6 engine has 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque with EPA-estimated ratings of 19 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway. You likely don’t need us to explain why a 9.5% and 13.8% reduction in city and highway fuel efficiency is worth it for a 34% and 35.7% increase in horsepower and torque output, respectively. The towing capacity remains the same, and you’ll find a seven-speed automatic transmission paired with this engine.
No Need for Alternatives
Some components of the Ford Edge don’t offer alternatives, such as its cargo space and infotainment centers. For example, the 2023 Ford Edge comes equipped with a 12-inch infotainment center from the base SE to the top-of-the-line Titanium and ST trims. The 12-inch touchscreen is in a vertical portrait orientation, which makes it taller than wider, resulting in a clean tablet-like appearance that does wonders at displaying apps like turn-by-turn navigation, whether through the built-in software or the built-in Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 2023 Ford Edge has all the technology you should expect from a modern vehicle, and you won’t have to worry about the finer details when buying your Edge as it’ll come with these features at no additional cost.
The Edge also comes in one size throughout its five trims, which is to be expected for a midsize SUV. You get a maximum of 73.4 cu.ft. of space when keeping the back row folded down. What separates the Edge from the competition is its 39.2 cu.ft. of space when the backseats are upright, and five passengers are aboard. In comparison, the Chevy Blazer, another midsize SUV, only has 30.5 cu.ft. of space when the back seats are up. Similarly, the Cadillac XT5 also falls behind with 30 cu.ft. of space, the Grand Cherokee has a lesser 37.7 cu.ft.––you get the point.
Buy Yours Today
We’re giant fans of the Ford Edge, and we believe it’s the go-to midsize SUV for families in the market for a comfortable SUV. The Ford Edge is an incredible value when compared to SUVs like the Honda Passport, Grand Cherokee, and Cadillac XT5. If there’s any manufacturer you can trust with reliability, it’s Ford, and vehicles like the Edge are the real difference makers in this ever-evolving industry. You can get yours today at DePaula Ford. You should visit us at 799 Central Ave in Albany if you live in the greater area of Upstate New York and want the best deals on superb vehicles.
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