2020 Ford Edge

Among Ford’s SUVs and pickups, the smallest options usually earn our highest ratings. Consumer Reports has recommended the Mustang Mach-E EV, the thrilling Mustang coupe and convertible, and the Maverick, a small pickup truck available with a hybrid powertrain. Most other vehicles, however, score low in our road tests and have average to below average reliability. With some exceptions, used Fords can be a risk. The Ford F-150 pickup combines true truck capabilities with quiet, roomy cabins, making it one of the best-selling vehicles in the U.S. However, our tests found that recent F-150s have a stiff ride, unresponsive handling, and below average reliability. The Lightning, an EV version of the F-150, drives better and is faster than its gasoline equivalent. The Bronco SUVs has exceptional off-road ability and classic boxy styling, but suffers from issues like wind noise and long stopping distances.

We heralded the 2015 Ford Edge as worthy of a most improved trophy. Newfound handling agility and greatly improved interior refinement catapults the model to the top of our midsized SUV ratings. Roomy quarters provide family-sized accommodations front to back, while the power liftgate exposes generous cargo space and a flat load floor. Still, the MyFord Touch infotainment system's small fonts, tightly clustered touchscreen buttons and unintuitive functions give us pause. You'll want to get at least the SEL-trim or better for the power driver's seat and dual-zone automatic climate control. We also recommend finding an Edge equipped with blind spot monitoring and a rearview camera. The freshened 2019 Edge  got updated powertrains and additional advanced safety features. A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission is standard and provides smooth, quiet acceleration. The high-performance ST trim gets a V6 turbo and AWD. The driving position is uneven because the left footrest sits too close to the driver. The Edge can rival a luxury car with its quiet cabin, steady ride, and agile handling, and the Sync 3 infotainment system is easy to use. Standard safety equipment includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist.

Updates for 2021 include Ford’s new Sync 4 infotainment system, which offers a 12-inch center screen, conversational voice recognition, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. Ford also claims that the new system has a “learning capability to automatically learn your preferences and make helpful suggestions.” A new ST-Line, which has the interior and exterior look of the Edge ST but is instead powered by the standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. A reverse sensing system is now standard on all trim lines. 2024 is the final year for the Edge.