Ford Adding Big Boy Touchscreen to 2021 Edge
Despite rumors that the current-generation Ford Edge will be the company’s last, Blue Oval has decided to give the crossover a 12-inch touchscreen as standard equipment for 2021. You probably didn’t ask for it, you definitely don’t need it, and it will likely increase the chances of a horrific accident when someone has to take their eyes off the road to use it. But it’s coming and will be the largest-in-class center stack screen going into production, trumping the optional 10.1-inch unit that’s available on the larger Ford Explorer.
Fortunately, it doesn’t seem to take up much more real estate, as the automaker has chosen to install it portrait style. But it does appear to be supplanting psychical climate controls while leaving knobs for the volume and radio turning/track selection. Other updates to the 2021 Edge include fresh wheel designs, additional interior trim choices, and a couple of new exterior colors — both of which happen to be shades of gray.
That means there’s no need to plug in your phone, though more occupants can if they wish since the 2021 Ford Edge adds two additional USB ports (one of them USB-C) for a grand total of four places to charge mobile devices. The company has yet to announce pricing for the model, but trim levels will once again include SE, SEL, Titanium, ST, and ST-Line — the latter of which offers the looks of the standard ST with none of the performance.
Beyond that, the car appears to be mostly unchanged. Major mechanical components will presumably carry over entirely with any remaining upgrades being cosmetic — minus the spruced up software/screen and the automaker’s now-standard Co-Pilot360 driver assistance features. But there’s likely to be a few options missing as this car edges closer to the grave so its probably worth checking for changes to equipment packages once order forms are made available. Pricing is also TBD but assumed congruent with previous model years. Ford said anticipate the 2021 Edge to grace dealerships within the next few months, noting that it was directed at “tech-savvy customers on the go.”
[Images: Ford Motor Co.]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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As gratifying as it is to beat up on Ford for stupid decisions, slapping on a bigger screen seems like a good call. I think these big screens are as obnoxious here as they are in a Tesla, but many buyers disagree. Car buyers are the same people who walk into Best Buy to shop for TVs and are drawn like bunnies to the shiniest, brightest one. Many people are dumb, and this is appealing to the most dim among us. Putting larger and larger distracting screens in cars is asking for more accidents. It's astoundingly stupid.
Mildly amazed they still build these. I'm sure they must sell them in other markets but here in the Northeast they are very uncommon.