When choosing between Ford's SUV offerings, two of the larger choices are the Ford Edge and the Ford Kuga. The Ford Edge was on sale in the UK from 2016 to 2020, and represented Ford's flagship SUV ambitions - a large, American-influenced machine that prioritised space and comfort above all else. In contrast, the current Ford Kuga, launched in 2020, takes a more conventional European approach as a compact crossover that balances practicality with efficiency and modern hybrid technology.
The Edge was designed as a spacious, long-distance cruiser that could accommodate large families in considerable comfort, whilst the Kuga focuses on being an all-round family car that's easier to live with day-to-day.
Ford Edge vs Ford Kuga
Practicality
The Ford Edge clearly has the upper hand when it comes to sheer space and storage capacity. With its imposing exterior dimensions, the Edge translates this size advantage into a really spacious interior that offers abundant leg, head, and shoulder room both front and rear. The rear bench can comfortably accommodate three adults without them feeling cramped, and the boot capacity of 602 litres with all seats in place expands to a cavernous 1,688 litres with the 60/40 split rear seats folded. The Edge also excels in thoughtful storage solutions, featuring large door bins, a substantial glovebox, numerous cupholders, and a deep compartment between the front seats. Additional practical touches include padded rear seat belts for child comfort and door bottoms that cover the sills to prevent mud transfer.
The Kuga, although more compact, still offers adequate space for most families' needs. It provides sufficient head and legroom for adults in both rows, though rear passengers will be more comfortable when the sliding rear seats are positioned further back. The boot capacity of 475 litres (reducing to 411 litres in the PHEV model) is competitive within its class but significantly smaller than the Edge's offering. The Kuga's interior finish, however, is somewhat disappointing, with harder plastics that don't quite match the premium feel some buyers might expect. The lofty driving position provides good visibility, though thick front pillars can occasionally obstruct the view at junctions.
For families prioritising maximum space and storage, the Edge has a substantial advantage, offering significantly more boot capacity and interior room. However, the Kuga's more manageable size makes it easier to park and manoeuvre in urban environments, while still providing adequate space for most family requirements.
Driving Impressions
The driving experiences of these two Ford SUVs reflect their different design philosophies and target markets. The Edge, available exclusively with diesel power from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit in various states of tune, prioritises comfort over performance. Given its substantial mass of well over two tonnes, the Edge never feels particularly sprightly, even with the more powerful engine variants. However, it excels as a long-distance cruiser, offering a smooth, comfortable ride with low levels of wind and road noise, making it ideal for motorway journeys. The engines are reasonably smooth and extremely hushed, aided by synthetic sound enhancement to mask diesel clatter.
Early Edge models came with either a six-speed manual or twin-clutch automatic, but the eight-speed torque converter automatic introduced in 2018 best suits the car's relaxed character. Entry-level models were front-wheel drive, while flagship versions featured all-wheel drive for enhanced all-weather security rather than serious off-road capability.
The Kuga offers a more engaging driving experience that maintains Ford's reputation for creating enjoyable-to-drive vehicles. Despite being an SUV, the Kuga features direct, well-weighted steering and dives into corners with surprising enthusiasm, though with some expected body roll that remains well-controlled. The suspension successfully balances driver engagement with genuine comfort, providing a plush ride over most road imperfections with only slight firmness at low speeds. Road and wind noise levels are kept low, contributing to a refined long-distance cruising experience.
The Kuga's engine range is more diverse, spanning from 118bhp and 148bhp 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol units to 118bhp 1.5-litre and 148bhp/187bhp 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesels, with the latter featuring mild-hybrid technology. The standout is the plug-in hybrid model with 221bhp combined output, offering brisk acceleration whilst promising over 200mpg in official testing (though of course your real-world figures will be well short of that unless you can plug in regularly). Most models are front-wheel drive, with only the 187b0hp diesel offering four-wheel drive.
The Kuga offers superior driving dynamics and a more varied powertrain lineup, including modern hybrid options, making it more engaging for keen drivers. The Edge, however, excels as a comfortable, refined cruiser that's particularly well-suited to long-distance travel, though it lacks the driving excitement found in Ford's smaller SUVs.
Technology and Equipment
Both Ford SUVs came well-equipped as standard, though their technology offerings reflect their different eras. The Edge launched with familiar Ford trim levels of Zetec and Titanium, plus a Sport variant, all featuring generous standard equipment including alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, electrically-operated heated folding mirrors, a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, keyless entry, automatic high-beam activation, heated Quickclear windscreen, and front and rear parking sensors with a reversing camera. Titanium added luxury touches like leather trim and heated seats, while Sport featured a sporty bodykit and slightly firmer suspension. The 2018 facelift retained Zetec and Titanium but replaced Sport with ST-Line and added a luxurious Vignale range-topper. ST-Line brought 20-inch alloys, extensive body styling, sports suspension, powered heated front seats in part-leather, and a premium B&O stereo system.
The flagship Edge Vignale added unique styling elements, quilted leather trim, matrix LED headlights, and adaptive cruise control. All versions featured Ford's SYNC3 infotainment system with an eight-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, USB connectivity, satellite navigation, and voice recognition, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto added from 2018.
The Kuga benefits from more modern technology, launching in 2020 with Ford's latest systems. Even the entry-level Zetec includes air-conditioning, heated windscreen, electric windows all-round, and front and rear parking sensors. The Titanium Edition significantly upgrades the specification with LED headlamps, powered tailgate, climate control, reversing camera, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and keyless entry. ST Line Edition matches Titanium equipment but adds sporty exterior styling and bespoke interior trim, while ST Line X Edition includes heated steering wheel and seats (front and rear). The luxurious Vignale features hexagonal quilted leather seating, unique exterior grille and trim, plus standard metallic paint.
All Kuga models feature Ford's SYNC3 infotainment with an 8.0-inch touchscreen positioned high for easy viewing, complete with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility.
The Kuga has the edge in terms of modern technology and safety systems, benefiting from its more recent introduction. However, the Edge offered impressive equipment levels for its era, particularly in higher trim levels.
Running Costs
The Edge can appear to offer exceptional value on the used market, with relatively low-mileage examples available for around half their original list price, making them good value considering the substantial amount of car and equipment provided. However, this apparent bargain comes with caveats - the Edge depreciates rapidly, a situation worsened by its discontinuation in 2019. Fuel economy across the diesel range is consistent regardless of power output, with front-wheel-drive models achieving up to 42.4mpg and twin-turbo variants returning only 4mpg less. Earlier engines were slightly less efficient in stop-start conditions. Servicing should be relatively affordable through Ford's dealer network or an independent garage.
The Kuga's running costs vary dramatically depending on the chosen powertrain. The PHEV is the standout choice thank to its 35-mile electric range and low CO2 emissions, although you'll need to plug in regularly to make the most of these. High-mileage drivers could benefit more from the diesel options, with the 187bhp 2.0-litre EcoBlue achieving 46.3-47.9mpg despite its automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive, while the 148bhp 2.0-litre EcoBlue mild-hybrid returns 54.3-56.5mpg. The entry-level 118bhp 1.5-litre EcoBlue matches this efficiency at 54.3-55.4mpg.
So, if you want something that looks like a bargain in terms of purchase price but will likely cost more to run, then the Edge is the one to choose. If your priorities lie the other way, go for the Kuga.
Verdict
These two Ford SUVs each has clear strengths that suit different buyer priorities. The Ford Edge excels as a spacious, comfortable long-distance cruiser that offers great value on the used market. Its cavernous 602-litre boot, expansive interior space, and refined motorway manners make it ideal for large families who prioritise space and comfort above all else. Put simply, the Edge's American-influenced design philosophy delivers more car for your money than most rivals, though this comes at the cost of higher fuel consumption, rapid depreciation, and less engaging driving dynamics.
The Ford Kuga takes a more contemporary approach, successfully balancing practicality, efficiency, and driving engagement in a more manageable package. Its 475-litre boot and adequate interior space meet most families' needs while being easier to park and manoeuvre in urban environments. The Kuga's superior driving dynamics maintain Ford's reputation for creating enjoyable cars, and the diverse powertrain range - particularly the impressive PHEV model - offers modern efficiency that the Edge simply cannot match. For us, that's all enough to make the Kuga the winner of this comparison.