On a beautiful Friday afternoon, we decided to take the new Ford Edge – kindly made available by the local importer – out for a drive.

At first glance the SUV looks imposing, especially for someone making the transition from a smaller car. However, after a few minutes of driving, we realised how comfortable the car actually is, requiring minimum effort.

In the past few years, Ford has focused on diversifying its line-up of utility vehicles and the new Edge stands as a nice complement to the Escape, Explorer, and Flex. The Edge, as it stands after a full redesign this past year, is better than ever at pulling in those who don’t need the three rows of the Explorer or Flex, and for those who want more sophistication, flair and convenience, with fewer rugged cues.

The Edge, now in its second generation, is more of a global affair than it was before. Although it starts with the top-notch underpinnings of the current Ford Fusion sedan, the Edge looks outward to other markets, and has the refined cabin appointments and a more robust line-up of engines to back those plans up.

The design flows well and has the kind of details that wouldn’t be out of place in any other premium SUV

Ford describes the new Edge as more athletic, and whether you point to its styling or its performance, that’s no exaggeration. Altogether, it’s a look that upgrades the Edge’s SUV silhouette, pushing the design closer to a premium look without cutting into its popular appeal.

The design of the Edge flows well and has the kind of details that wouldn’t be out of place in any other premium SUV. The Edge Sport, for instance, comes with blacked-out details, which optimises the car’s athleticism, with some sport-wagon undertones and lower-body work.

On the inside, the Edge boasts some of the best trims and materials in its class, with a dash shape that builds on some of Ford’s other models such as the Focus and Escape.

With six-speed automatic transmissions throughout the line-up and a choice between front- and all-wheel drive, the Edge provides plenty of powertrain combinations to fit the tech-savvy and the traditionalists.

The base engine for the Edge is now Ford’s 2.0-litre EcoBoost, which last year was upgraded with some new technology, including a twin-scroll turbocharger. This has boosted it up to 210hp and 450Nm of torque, with great responsiveness.

The 2.0T will be perfectly adequate for most motorists’ needs. However, it also has enough power for a fun performance. We drove the SUV for a few hours and at no point did we feel any discomfort. The new steering system also works in favour of a precise, reassuring feel, with the Edge taking the corners without any fuss whatsoever.

Across the line-up, there’s a muted sharpness to the driving experience; the Edge is downright edgy in any driving context and it’s precise and responsive are second to none.

This easy fun of driving, combined with a very spacious luggage, make the Edge ideal for an overland trip. Of course, if you want more power, then the Sport model is the right option – this model also comes with its own damper and spring rates, as well as rear monotube dampers and 20-inch wheels as standard.

The Edge feels very much like a vehicle designed more for people and their gear. The seating position in front is rather high, yet it affords enough headroom and offers a good view over the hood. And in back, there’s enough leg-room for long-legged adults. The fundamentals of a great, versatile crossover are all here.

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