The verdict
A struggling mid-size suv, strong on reliability and held back by performance.
Overall 1.84 (C-) across 10 graded subjects. Its strongest is reliability & quality at 2.53 (C+), its weakest performance & powertrain at 0.59 (F). 5 of 10 subjects grade at C− or better.
Jump to scoresStrengths
- Reliability & Quality
- Safety
- Driving Experience
What holds it back
- Performance & Powertrain
- Cost of Ownership
- Value & Market Position
Top alternatives
Cars shoppers cross-shop with the Ford Edge
2.40C+
Nissan MuranoMid-Size SUVBetter at: FreshnessThe same two-row, comfort-first formula as the Edge but freshly redesigned and still in production, so it comes with a full warranty and a parts-and-support future.
Compare
2.79B-
Hyundai Santa FeMid-Size SUVBetter at: EfficiencyA hybrid option in the mid-30s MPG, a bonus third row, and far longer warranty coverage turn every Edge ownership-cost weakness into a strength.
Compare
2.63C+
Honda PassportMid-Size SUVBetter at: Cargo & resaleIf you want a two-row SUV that hauls gear rather than just people, the Passport adds 10-plus cubic feet of cargo, 5,000 lbs of towing, and much stronger resale value.
CompareHow it's evolved
8 scored model years · 2017–2024
Subject scores by year
Hover or tap a score to see what moved it versus the year before. A corner mark flags a big swing.
| Year | Performance | Efficiency | Safety | Space | Cost | Reliability | Tech | Use-case | Driving | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 39 | 52 | 66 | 55 | 42 | 67 | 64 | 62 | 61 | 54 |
| 2023 | 39 | 52 | 66 | 55 | 43 | 67 | 55 | 56 | 61 | 50 |
| 2022 | 41 | 47 | 66 | 54 | 44 | 63 | 50 | 54 | 61 | 50 |
| 2021 | 40 | 55 | 65 | 56 | 49 | 58 | 65 | 54 | 60 | 51 |
| 2020 | 41 | 52 | 65 | 56 | 54 | 63 | 41 | 54 | 60 | 56 |
| 2019 | 39 | 63 | 65 | 56 | 50 | 55 | 50 | 53 | 60 | 59 |
| 2018 | 38 | 59 | 52 | 54 | 51 | 54 | 44 | 51 | 62 | 58 |
| 2017 | 38 | 59 | 49 | 54 | 51 | 49 | 42 | 50 | 62 | 63 |
Compare two years
Best fit & conditions
Higher scores mean a better fit for that use case. Learn more about use-case fit →
Subject profile
Detailed scoring by subject
1Performance & PowertrainThe Edge's lowest-graded category.0.59F
The volume SEL/ST-Line trims use the 2.0L turbo I-4 making 250 hp, unchanged since the 2019 refresh; the ST's 2.7L V6 tops the range at 335 hp.
Peak torque for the volume 2.0L I-4; the ST's 2.7L twin-turbo V6 offers substantially more.
The 2.0L/8-speed AWD powertrain has been unchanged since 2019; instrumented tests of that generation consistently land around 7.5 s, used here as the representative figure for the volume trim. The ST's 2.7L V6 is markedly quicker.
The 2.0L turbo I-4 is adequate but unremarkable, with some low-rpm turbo lag typical of the segment; the 2.7L V6 in the ST is notably smoother and stronger, but it's a low-volume trim.
The 8-speed automatic (introduced for the 2019 refresh) delivers competent, adequately quick shifts but reviewers noted occasional hesitant kickdowns; the ST's 7-speed wet-clutch automatic behaves more decisively.
Max towing across the lineup is 3,500 lbs, achieved with the Class II Trailer Tow Package (standard on ST, optional on other trims); unequipped 2.0L models are limited to 1,500 lbs.
Ford's Intelligent AWD is standard across every 2023 Edge trim (no FWD-only option), with selectable drive modes (Normal/Slippery/Sand), though it lacks low-range or locking hardware — a broadly available but not especially sophisticated system.
The Edge is a unibody crossover with no off-road trim, skid plates, or low-range gearing and modest ground clearance; it's designed strictly for pavement and light-duty conditions.
Just two gas engines are offered (2.0L I-4 and 2.7L V6 on the ST) with no hybrid, PHEV, or EV variant anywhere in the lineup.
2Efficiency & RangeGrades below the middle of the scale.1.47D
2023 is the Edge's final US model year, running the same carryover 2.0L EcoBoost FWD/AWD and 2.7L EcoBoost V6 (ST) powertrains as prior years with unchanged EPA ratings; combined figure lands near the bottom of the mid-size SUV field, which increasingly includes hybrids.
Consistent across SE/SEL/ST-Line/Titanium trims with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine; the ST drops to 19 city with the 2.7L V6.
Highway rating is the Edge's relative strength versus its mediocre city number, consistent across the 2.0L trim lineup.
Range calculated from the 18.5-gallon fuel tank and EPA combined MPG for the volume 2.0L FWD trim; dealer marketing materials cite up to 518 miles using the highway-only figure.
Estimated from EPA combined MPG (~21-24) at 15,000 mi/yr and EPA's assumed regular-gas price; higher than efficiency-focused rivals with hybrid options, in line with other ICE-only mid-size SUVs.
The volume 2.0L EcoBoost trims run on regular 87-octane unleaded with no premium recommendation; only the range-topping ST's 2.7L V6 recommends (not requires) 91-octane premium for peak output.
3SafetyOne of the Edge's strongest categories.2.44C+
NHTSA's full 5-star overall rating for the 2023 Edge, carried over unchanged from prior model years on the same crash structure.
All performed crashworthiness tests scored Good, but the Edge did not earn a Top Safety Pick award because its standard-trim headlights rated Poor, disqualifying it despite otherwise strong structural results.
Ford Co-Pilot360 (AEB with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, auto high-beams) is standard on every 2023 Edge trim, but adaptive cruise control and lane centering require the optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package starting on SEL.
IIHS rated the standard front crash prevention system 'Advanced' for vehicle-to-pedestrian detection, a solid but not top-tier result one step below Superior.
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with cross-traffic alert is standard fleet-wide, but it is alert-only with no automated braking intervention.
Standard lane-keeping assist provides basic warning/correction; true lane-centering only comes bundled with the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ adaptive cruise package, and reviewers describe it as functional rather than refined on this aging platform.
Co-Pilot360 Assist+ adds stop-and-go adaptive cruise with lane centering and evasive steering assist, standard from SEL up and optional on SE, but reviewers note nothing standout versus segment leaders this late in the model's life cycle.
BlueCruise is not offered on the Edge; Ford's hands-free system was limited to Mustang Mach-E, F-150/Lightning, and Expedition through the Edge's final model years.
IIHS rated headlights Poor on most trims; only the ST with the 401A package and Titanium with the 301A package achieved the second-highest Acceptable rating, unchanged from the surrounding model years.
Reviewers note thick roof pillars and modest glass area hamper sightlines; a standard rearview camera and optional 180-degree front camera partially offset the blind zones.
Full LATCH hardware (two lower-anchor sets plus a center tether) is present, but IIHS rated ease-of-use only Acceptable, citing lower anchors set too deep and tether hardware that can be confused for anchors.
4Space & ComfortGrades below the middle of the scale.1.67D
The 2023 Edge is a two-row, five-passenger mid-size crossover with no third-row option across SE, SEL, ST-Line, and Titanium trims.
Standard front headroom for the volume SEL trim without the panoramic vista roof, which trims headroom slightly on equipped units.
Front legroom figure is unchanged for the final 2023 model year of the current-generation Edge.
Second-row headroom is generous for the mid-size SUV segment thanks to the Edge's boxy roofline.
Second-row legroom is a segment strength, aided by the 60/40 split-fold reclining rear bench.
The Edge has no third-row seating option in any trim for 2023, unlike three-row mid-size rivals such as the Explorer or Highlander.
Cargo volume behind the second row is mid-pack for a two-row mid-size crossover.
Maximum cargo volume with the 60/40 second row folded flat is competitive among two-row mid-size SUVs.
Useful but unremarkable storage: a sizable front console with armrest bin, underfloor cargo compartments, and cargo-area switches to fold the rear seatbacks, without any standout innovation like a giga-console.
Front seats are supportive and comfortable, especially in leather-trimmed Titanium spec with 10-way power adjustment, but reviewers note the second-row bench could use more cushion padding for long trips.
The suspension absorbs larger bumps well but reviewers describe some bounciness over smaller pavement imperfections, keeping ride quality average rather than segment-leading.
Reviewers consistently praise the Edge's quiet cabin with good isolation from wind, road, and engine noise, a highlight relative to segment rivals.
Dual-zone automatic climate control is standard across the lineup, with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel widely available and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and remote start reserved for upper Titanium/Lux-package trims.
5Cost of OwnershipOne of the Edge's weakest categories.0.87F
2023 carried the Edge's mid-cycle-refresh lineup largely unchanged from 2022 aside from minor package shuffling. SE AWD anchors the range well above compact rivals like Escape since Ford standardized AWD across all Edge trims starting with the 2022 model year.
SEL was the volume 2023 Edge configuration — adds SYNC 3 infotainment, heated front seats, and additional Co-Pilot360 driver-assist content over SE. Sits above mid-size rivals like Explorer XLT and Blazer RS as-equipped given the Edge's higher pricing floor.
Better than mid-pack for mid-size SUVs — the 2.0L EcoBoost four is mechanically simple and well-proven, keeping projected repair costs low relative to the segment.
Weak residuals, among the worst in the mid-size SUV class — an aging platform nearing end of production accelerates depreciation beyond what fleet/rental exposure alone would explain. This is the single biggest ownership-cost drag on the Edge.
Ford's standard basic warranty — the floor of the mainstream segment, matching domestic and Japanese rivals but trailing Hyundai/Kia (5/60) and Mitsubishi (5/60).
Ford's standard 5/60 powertrain floor — again the segment minimum next to Hyundai/Kia's far more generous 10/100 coverage.
Ford offers no complimentary scheduled maintenance for the 2023 Edge — owners pay from the first service interval. Roadside assistance is bundled with the 3/36 basic warranty, and FordPass Connect provides a limited connected-services trial, but there's no ongoing perk beyond that.
$40,840 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (44% retained, or about $17,970) leaves about $22,870 in depreciation. Add the projected $5,357 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $28,227 in total.
6Reliability & QualityThe Edge's best-graded category.2.53C+
The 2023 Edge is Ford's most mature Edge model year (final year of production) and posts above-average marks: J.D. Power rates it 80/100 for quality and reliability, Consumer Reports named the 2023 Edge among the most reliable three-year-old midsize SUVs based on its subscriber survey, and Kelley Blue Book owner feedback shows 80% would recommend it with 65% rating it 5 stars.
Ford's brand-wide dependability was weak through most of the 2023 Edge's ownership window: J.D. Power's 2023 Vehicle Dependability Study dropped Ford to 29th of all brands (249 PP100), improving only to 23rd in 2024, while Consumer Reports rated Ford an average performer in its 2024 reliability survey. The trend is improving but the multi-year track record over this car's life remains mid-pack at best.
The 2023 Edge has only a handful of recalls, none touching powertrain safety: a front-right headlight aim/brightness recall (Oct 2023), an insufficient-weld recall affecting second-row child-seat tether anchors (Mar 2023), and a later rearview-camera display software fix addressable via dealer or OTA update. All are minor, isolated issues with straightforward fixes rather than a systemic pattern.
The 2.0L EcoBoost inline-4 (volume engine) is in its final production year of a run dating to 2015; earlier examples (2016-2020) suffered documented coolant-intrusion and turbo issues, but the design matured over the generation and owner reports indicate the powertrain is good for 200,000+ miles with proper maintenance by this final model year. No new engine-family defect emerged for 2023 specifically.
Reviewers describe a cabin with plenty of hard black plastic offset by padded upper dash, door panels, and armrests that lend a reasonably premium feel for a mainstream mid-size SUV, but note the design is dated and doesn't fully match the price on higher trims.
Consumer Reports called interior fit and finish 'unimpressive,' citing misaligned dashboard pieces on test vehicles — a scattered but real assembly-consistency complaint rather than a top-tier result.
Ford operates one of the largest dealer and service networks in the US (~3,000 dealers), giving Edge owners broad geographic access to service, though satisfaction surveys place the brand's service experience in the middle of the pack rather than among leaders.
RepairPal pegs Ford's average annual repair cost at $775 (above the industry average, brand ranked 21st of 32 for reliability), but the Edge's CD4 platform is shared across several Ford/Lincoln models and the car had a long production run, keeping common-wear parts and independent-shop familiarity normal despite the nameplate's 2023 discontinuation.
7Technology & InfotainmentMid-pack among this car's ten categories.1.70C-
The 2023 Edge carried over the 2021 mid-cycle refresh's split infotainment setup: SE and SEL (the volume trims) keep the 8-inch SYNC 3 touchscreen, while ST-Line and Titanium get the larger 12-inch SYNC 4 unit.
SYNC 3 on the volume SE/SEL trims is mature and reasonably quick but visually dated next to SYNC 4; ST-Line/Titanium buyers get the noticeably snappier SYNC 4 tile UI with retained physical climate controls.
Ford rolled wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto out standard across the Edge lineup by the 2023 model year, so both SYNC 3 and SYNC 4 trims offer wireless projection with no tiered restriction.
SYNC 3's voice control is functional but basic, and native navigation is an optional package on SE/SEL; only ST-Line/Titanium buyers with SYNC 4 get the more natural-language voice assistant and standard connected nav.
Standard 6-speaker audio is unremarkable, but the optional 12-speaker B&O Play premium system (available on upper trims) is a genuine step up in line with segment norms.
The volume SE/SEL trims retain analog gauges flanked by a small configurable productivity screen rather than a full digital cluster; a larger reconfigurable digital cluster is limited to ST-Line/Titanium.
SYNC 3 supports only limited map/infotainment updates, while SYNC 4 (upper trims) adds broader over-the-air update capability; overall OTA scope trails Ford's newer SYNC 4A-only models.
The FordPass app provides free remote start, lock/unlock, and vehicle locate, with a Wi-Fi hotspot and richer connected services requiring the optional FordPass Connect modem and subscription.
The Edge offers a modest mix of USB-A ports with wireless charging available on upper trims, but lacks the abundant USB-C-everywhere setups found on newer competitors.
Proximity keyless entry with push-button start is standard on SEL and above, with hands-free power liftgate available on upper trims; SE may require an options package for full convenience.
A rear-view camera is standard across the lineup, but the 360-degree surround camera and enhanced park assist are reserved for the Titanium trim rather than broadly available.
Ford did not offer a head-up display on any 2023 Edge trim, a notable omission versus rivals that make one available even on volume trims.
8Use-Case FitMid-pack among this car's ten categories.1.77C-
Wide door openings and a low load floor make loading kids and strollers easy, and LATCH anchors are straightforward to use, but the Edge is a strict two-row, 5-seat crossover with no third-row option, capping its usefulness for larger families versus 3-row mid-size SUV rivals.
Ford Co-Pilot360 (automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert) is standard across every 2023 Edge trim including the base SE, and NHTSA rated the vehicle 5 stars overall, giving families strong safety at the entry price point.
Second-row space is generous for a two-row crossover and 39.2 cu ft of cargo room behind the rear seats swallows a family's luggage without folding anything down, but rear-seat amenities (vents, USB placement) are basic on lower trims and there's no way to add capacity for a 6th/7th passenger.
The 2.0L EcoBoost with 8-speed automatic is smooth and unobtrusive around town, with a comfortable, well-damped ride and good outward visibility that make it an easy, low-fatigue daily driver; the ST's stiffer tune trades away some of that comfort for the sportier trim.
21/28/24 mpg city/highway/combined for the volume 2.0L trims is mid-pack for a gas-only mid-size crossover with no hybrid option, and the 2.7L V6 ST drops further to 19/25 mpg, so running costs are average rather than a strength.
At roughly 188 inches long the Edge is more compact than 3-row mid-size SUVs, with a reasonable turning circle and available 360-degree camera and active park assist on higher trims that ease tight parking, though it's still noticeably larger than a compact crossover in the city.
Maximum tow rating is just 3,500 lbs (Class II package, standard on ST, optional on SEL/Titanium AWD) and there's no factory payload/cargo-bed capability, so the Edge can handle a small utility trailer or light gear but isn't a meaningful work tool.
Consumer Reports and J.D. Power data put the 2023 Edge among the more reliable mid-size SUVs of its model year, but it's a passenger-oriented unibody crossover with no fleet/commercial trim heritage or hard-use reputation to speak of.
Standard roof-rail side rails accept aftermarket crossbars and racks and a hitch is available, but there's no onboard power outlet for tools, no washable cargo liner ecosystem, and essentially no upfit market built around this platform.
A quiet cabin, supportive seats, and available adaptive cruise control make the Edge a competent highway cruiser, and an 18-gallon tank paired with 28 mpg highway gives roughly 500 miles of highway range between fill-ups on the volume 2.0L trims.
AWD is available across most trims and roughly 8 inches of ground clearance lets the Edge handle gravel roads, snow, and rough campground access, but there's no low-range gearing or off-road-tuned suspension, so it's a pavement-and-light-trail crossover rather than a true adventure vehicle.
60/40 split-folding rear seats open up to 73.4 cu ft with the second row down, and standard roof rails plus an available hitch let owners add roof boxes or a small trailer, giving solid flexibility for gear even without a third row to fold.
9Driving ExperienceOne of the Edge's strongest categories.2.08C
The CD4-platform Edge, carried over largely unchanged since its 2019 refresh, delivers secure, flat cornering with decent grip but no real enthusiasm for 2023; the ST's stiffer tuning and 335 lb-ft V6 sharpen response somewhat without transforming the car's character.
Steering is accurate enough for the segment but light and largely numb on-center, typical of Ford's comfort-oriented EPAS tuning for this platform; the ST's slightly heavier calibration doesn't add meaningful feedback.
Pedal feel is firm and predictable with no notable fade complaints in reviews; the ST's larger rotors and calipers add reassurance for its extra power, though instrumented 60-0 distances are mid-pack for the segment.
The 2.0L EcoBoost I-4 paired with the 8-speed automatic (introduced in the 2019 refresh) is generally smooth in normal driving but reviewers noted occasional hesitant downshifts and mild turbo lag under quick throttle inputs; the 2.7L V6 ST is markedly more responsive and refined.
The 2.0L turbo-four is quiet and well-isolated at cruise but becomes coarse and vocal under hard acceleration; the 2.7L V6 in the ST is noticeably smoother and more pleasant-sounding at all engine speeds.
The Edge's turning diameter has been consistent across the 2019-2024 generation at roughly 38.7 ft, on the wider end for a mid-size two-row crossover.
A raised seating position, generous adjustment range, good outward visibility, and Ford's straightforward SYNC 4 touchscreen/control layout are consistently praised as user-friendly, with only modest thick-pillar blind spots noted.
The Edge is a competent, comfort-focused appliance rather than an engaging drive; the ST trim's extra power and firmer tuning add some enthusiast appeal, but reviewers still rank it behind more dynamically tuned rivals.
10Value & Market PositionOne of the Edge's weakest categories.1.35D
Base SE trim includes Ford Co-Pilot360 (automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping, rear cross-traffic alert), 8-inch SYNC 3 touchscreen, dual-zone climate moves to SEL. Competitive but not class-leading for a mainstream mid-size crossover in 2023.
Reasonable content for the roughly $36K-$43K MSRP span, but the Edge's 2015-generation platform and infotainment trail newer mid-size rivals (Nissan Murano, Hyundai Santa Fe) in tech and refinement, keeping it mid-pack rather than a standout.
Four trims (SE, SEL, ST-Line, Titanium) with FWD or AWD, all sharing the 2.0L EcoBoost I4 after the 335-hp ST performance model and its 2.7L V6 were dropped for 2023; no hybrid option, narrowing the range versus rivals that offer hybrid or V6 choices.
Edge sales had been sliding for years as buyers shifted to Escape, Explorer, and crossover EVs; Ford confirmed 2023 as the Edge's final model year with production ending in September 2023, which further softened demand for the outgoing nameplate.
Ford's brand equity is buoyed by F-150, Bronco, and Mustang halo products, giving it solid mainstream credibility, but the Edge itself carries little of that halo and is a middling nameplate within the lineup.
With production winding down and the model being discontinued, dealers offered notable incentives and negotiating room to clear remaining 2023 Edge inventory, benefiting buyers willing to purchase an outgoing model.
The Edge's current generation dates to 2015 with a 2019 refresh, making 2023 the tail end of an eight-year-old platform; Ford confirmed this as the final model year with no successor planned, the maximum freshness penalty.
Reviewers described the 2023 Edge as competent but unexciting and dated versus newer mid-size crossovers, rarely topping comparison tests against the Honda Passport, Hyundai Santa Fe, or Nissan Murano, and it received no major industry awards in its final year.
