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.

But the big get here is the enlarged touchscreen, which the manufacturer promised would receive the latest version of Ford’s infotainment software (Sync 4A). This opens the door for over-the-air updates and new (purchasable) features that can be sold to the customer without their having to visit the dealership. It also comes with Wi-Fi-enabled Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, as well as Sync’s AppLink.

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.]