Could the midsize Ford Edge L be a future Philippine model?

There is going to be a new Ford Edge in China, and for those of you that don’t know, it’s a model that has a midsize crossover form factor. Ford already has a midsize crossover, however, in the form of the Ford Explorer. Though, that model occupies a rather premium end of the market with its high price tag. When the Ford Territory came to the country, it changed things up a little bit. People were receptive towards the Blue-Oval-Badged compact crossover that could be had for a great price. Can we expect Ford to corner another segment in the market? 

Enter the Ford Edge L. Chinese sources are reporting that a new Edge, brought on by the Changan-Ford joint venture, will be officially unveiled this year. The 2024 Ford Edge L is the latest addition to the stable, and it’s a notch above the JMC-Ford-built Territory.

It’s similar in size to the Explorer, which is a bit bigger than average compared to other midsize crossovers, but it doesn’t cross over into the full-size SUV territory. The design has some Ford elements to it like the octagonal grille flanked by vertically-mounted headlights. The headlight comes with a tail, however, perhaps done in a bid to make it look a little less rugged, and a lot more modern. 

You’ll notice a floating roofline on the side, brought about by blacked-out C and D pillars. The wheels come in at 21 inches big, and the taillights are a bit of a callback to the shape of the headlights up front. It’s somewhat similar to the old design of the Explorer, but with a more modern twist. 

The most important part of the Edge L is the fact that it has seven seats, a hot ticket feature for Filipinos, as we’ve come to notice. With up to seven people in its cabin, it’s able to seat as many people as the Explorer or the Everest, and if it ever were to make its way into the Philippines, it would be the third option in the lineup to do so. 

On top of that, technology features include a 12.3-inch digital screen for the driver and a 27-inch screen for the infotainment display. Ford’s not afraid to extend their displays, a fact that is definitely seen in the Ford Ranger’s huge portrait-oriented center screen. Aside from the big screen, you also get a heads-up display, ambient lights, a panoramic sunroof, tri-zone climate control, and even a Bang and Olufsen audio system. 

Power, on the other hand, is an interesting one, as the powertrain doesn’t seem to match up with any of Ford’s mainstay offerings in the US. Instead of big multi-cylinder engines, we get a 2.0-liter EcoBoost motor, the origins of which are likely to have come from one of Changan’s designs. With 248 hp, however, it’s probably going to be a decently athletic machine, and 378 Nm of torque ain’t too shabby either. There is also a self-charging hybrid variant available in China, with 271 hp to spare and backed by 405 Nm of torque. Four-wheel drive is also available for this model in China. 

The Edge L could be an interesting model for the Philippines. It could do well considering that Ford’s midsize crossover offering isn’t selling volumes compared to the Territory. Perhaps the price point of the Edge could get closer to the Everest’s pricing, making it a very enticing offer for customers that want a comfortable crossover from Ford, but with extra seats and a smooth gasoline engine. In whatever case, Ford makes no claims of offering this model outside of China at the moment. Expect the official launch of this model to happen in April, at the Shanghai Auto Show.