2018 Ford Edge Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

Premium, agile, spacious and inexpensive, the Ford Edge is a very popular mid-size SUV with people who find that they don’t need a three-row SUV but still want a larger vehicle than a regular compact crossover.

Initially released in 2007 at the height of the crossover boom, the Edge has remained a consistent seller for Ford all the way until now. It saw a redesign in 2015 the also led it to expand to the European market, and has consistently grown in sales and market share throughout the period.

A good reason for the popularity of the Edge has been its versatility. It offers three different engine options and a relatively wide range of available features. This allows buyers to choose from a variety or archetypes, including inexpensive family cruisers, premium luxury crossovers, and all-wheel drive speed demons, all under the Ford Edge nameplate.

The Edge comes in four major trim levels, with most offering several different optional equipment configurations. Knowing the equipment that each one provides and the differences between the trims is key to getting the best value for your next Ford Edge purchase.

This article demonstrates the differences between all of the different trim levels, giving you all the information you need to make your decision.

Compare the 2018 Edge SE vs SEL Trims. What is the difference?

The base Edge SE primarily trades on the comfort, utility, and driving feel of the Edge design. As such, it is not particularly loaded up with advanced features, though it does take care of all of the basics quite well. Power locks and windows, air conditioning, cruise control, Bluetooth, and a rearview camera are all standard.

It also includes the standard four-cylinder turbo engine with 245 horsepower and a six-speed automatic transmission. Push-button start, 18-inch alloy wheels and a 4.2-inch infotainment system with voice commands are the nice technical amenities that are also standard on the SE. Aside from the option to upgrade from front-wheel to all-wheel drive, there are no major options available for the SE.

The SEL is the mid-range model that adds a number of convenience options to the base SE model. The SEL comes standard with all of the SE features, plus dual-zone climate control, power front seats, rear parking sensors and satellite radio support. In addition to those features, the SEL also offers a number of optional features and equipment. It can be upgraded to a larger V-6 engine that boosts the horsepower to 280, and both engine options are available in front-wheel and all-wheel drive.

There are a number of optional equipment packages as well. The biggest one is the 201A package. That package includes leather upholstery, an upgraded touchscreen infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, a 9-speaker sound system, and front heated seats.

The Smart and Safe package is another popular one, and it includes a forward collision warning with adaptive cruise control and brake support, automatic high beams, blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert, lane keeping assist, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

A cold weather package can add a heated steering wheel and windshield wiper de-icers, while the convenience package adds a hands-free liftgate, a remote starter, alarm, and a navigation system. There is also an optional Sport appearance package that adds visual accents, a spoiler, and unique seats with suede inserts.

In general, the SE is a good entry-level model that can be sufficient for many drivers who are not looking for advanced features. However, the nice feature set and versatile options make the SEL very attractive for many. It includes a number of very nice features such as power seating and climate control that are often sought-after on mid-level models.

The optional 201A option package is also very attractive, as it adds many high-end features like leather and an upgraded sound system at a much lower price point than the Titanium trim level that includes those things as standard. The availability of active safety options also generally makes the SEL more attractive to many modern drivers.

Compare the 2018 Ford Edge SEL vs Titanium Trims. What is the difference?

Unlike many of the high-end models offered on mid-size crossovers, the Ford Edge Titanium actually offers a very significant set of optional features in addition to the standard equipment available. Even the base Titanium is fairly nice, thanks to the leather interior, upgraded infotainment, 12-speaker Sony audio, heated seats, hands-free liftgate, and a nice ambient lighting system.

It has two main optional combination packages. The 301A set includes heated and ventilated front seats, the navigation system, a panoramic moonroof, and a remote starter. The 302A includes all of the above, as well as the Smart and Safe package and HID headlights. The Smart and Safe package, navigation, and the moonroof are both also available as separate packages that can be added individually. The Cold Weather package is also an option on the Titanium.

There are a number of great features that are exclusive to the Edge Titanium, such as ventilated front seats, Sony audio, and the panoramic moonroof. If any of that equipment is something that you want on your next car, then the Titanium is a very good choice for your Edge trim level.

However, aside from those, almost all of the equipment on the Titanium is also available on the SEL with optional packages, which will be a much less expensive option outside of any particular special offers.

Compare the Edge Titanium vs Sport Trims. What is the difference?

The Sport, as the name implies, is the high-performance model of the Ford Edge. Available with all-wheel drive only, it is equipped with an exclusive 2.7-liter turbocharged V-6 that puts out 315 horsepower. It also has a number of its own design elements on the interior and exterior, including 20-inch wheels and leather seating with upscale suede inserts.

Otherwise, the Sport shares the same base features as the Titanium. Similarly to the Titanium, it also offers an optional package that bundles the navigation, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and the Smart and Safe package. Both the navigation and the Smart and Safe package, as well as the cold weather package, are available individually as well.

The Edge Sport follows the trend of each Ford model featuring a high-performance version that also offers the high-end luxury equipment from the other models. The Sport easily matches the Titanium for comfort, though it is not available with a moonroof, while offering a lot of extra power to go with the good driving dynamics of the Edge chassis.

For drivers who are looking at the Ford Edge precisely because of how nicely it drives, the added power is a big plus. The bigger engine does come at a roughly $4,500 premium though, and places the Edge Sport in a similar price range to many luxury crossovers. If that doesn’t deter you though, the Sport is an excellent vehicle.

Final Thoughts

While each of the different models of the Ford Edge has something to offer, from the incredible power of the Sport, the nice aesthetics of the Titanium, or the excellent value of the SE, it is the SEL trim level that offers the best combination of value and versatility for most buyers.

It includes many of the most commonly desired features and offers high-value equipment bundles that offer practically all of them, from high-end safety to leather. As the volume model of the Edge, it will also be the easiest one to find and is therefore likely to be the easiest to cross-shop or negotiate on. This combines to give it the best value of all of the Edge models.

More particular buyers can benefit from the other alternatives however. Drivers after performance will definitely want to give the Sport a try before they make their decision, while anyone looking for a bargain will want to see how the deals on the SE compare to what is available on the SEL. With versatility a strength for the Edge, any one of those options can be an attractive one. 

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