SPECIFICATIONS:
Model: 2011 Ford Edge Limited FWD
Engine: 3.5-liter V6 Horsepower/Torque: 285 hp @ 6,500 rpm/253 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 111.2 in.
Length/Width/Height: 184.2 x 76.0 x 67.0 in.
Tires: P245/60HR18 Cargo volume: 32.2/68.9 cu. ft. (rear seat up/down) Fuel economy: 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway/21.5 mpg test
Fuel capacity: 18.0 gal.
Curb weight: 4,082 lbs.
Sticker: $35,410 (plus $725 destination and delivery charge; includes $1,190 in options ($395 BLIS, $1,190 voice activated navigation system))
Five reasons to buy this car 1. Very good crossover 2. Good power 3. Smooth 4. Practical size 5. Reasonable economy
The Bottom Line: Ford’s refreshing of the Edge design doesn’t take away any of the crossover’s utility or basic good looks. It’s still smooth and looks enough like a Lexus RS to save you a couple of thousands if all you’re looking for is looks.
When you first fire up the Ford Edge— well, when you unlock the doors at least— you may get the mistaken impression that you’re about to enter an Audi.
There are two vertical strings of white LED lights that serve as driving lights that look suspiciously like the ones used to differentiate among Audi models.
But this is a Ford Edge, not an Audi, and you know it as soon as you get inside and see the blue oval staring at you. As such, it’s a well-designed crossover that combines the utility of a SUV and the comfort of a sedan (at least as well as is possible in a larger body).
Physically, the Edge resembles the Lexus RX more than it does any of the other Ford models, although there is a Lincoln clone.
Our tester carried a Tuxedo black metallic paint job that enamored our grandchildren. They loved the sparkles. They also liked the room they had in the back seat. I liked the ability to find the seat belt receivers when the booster seats are installed.
A lot of the cars we drive have restrictive leg room for children in booster seats whose legs don’t drop vertically but extend horizontally from the seat. Inside, the designers chose to offer deep brown “sienna” leather seats. I liked the combination; my wife didn’t.
The 3.5-liter V6 engine under the hood offered good power, moving the front wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission. In addition, the handling was decent. The Edge’s aspect ratio isn’t as drastic as some SUVs, so that doesn’t play into the handling by making it top-heavy.
On the road, the Edge has very good manners and offers good ride quality. A feature we’ve seen in some Ford vehicles lately is a speedometer with zero at the bottom.
This places 55-60 mph at the 9 o’clock point, rather than at 12 o’clock, as it is in most other cars. I found this difficult to adjust to, but when I got the second car in two weeks, I learned how to read it.
Other than the speedometer, the instruments are clear. Our tester was equipped with Ford Touch and Sync and I can’t learn how to use either of these without an extensive session with the owner’s manual. Tuning the sound system and adjusting the HVAC are projects that shouldn’t be.
The front seats are comfortable with decent side support, although this isn’t as necessary as it would be in a car with sportier handling. The flat rear seats have good leg room and head room for adults. there’s even a flat floor for the center passenger.
The rear seat backs power down and up to increase cargo capacity, and that grows from a more-than-decent 52.2 cubic feet to 68.9 cubic feet. Visibility is good all around, and the back-up camera has a clear screen.
Two features I love are BLIS and capless fuel fillers. BLIS is a blind spot monitoring system that uses TV cameras to alert you, via a warning light in the exterior rearview mirrors, that there are vehicles in your left or right blind spots. I don’t know how many accidents have been saved by these, just on cars I’m driving, but they’re a good number.
Capless fuel filling eliminates the gas cap. All you have to do it open the cover and insert the gas nozzle to fill. Since I have lost a few filler caps in my day, I appreciate any opportunity to look less like a fool.
Overall, the Ford Edge is a practical CUV, with all the goodies necessary and a few that aren’t necessary but are nice to have.
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