2008 Ford Edge Review
The Edge handles better than truck-based SUVs
while offering almost as much cargo space. It's 500 pounds lighter
than an Explorer and enjoys an edge of two to three miles per gallon
in fuel economy and offers similar advantages over other traditional
SUVs. Benefiting from all-wheel drive and a fully independent
suspension, the Edge is easier to control than a truck-based SUV in
the snow or on wet, slippery roads. Getting in and out of it is
easier, too. Yet it gives up nothing in passenger and cargo space.
In fact, the back seats in the Edge are roomier than those in the
Explorer, a benefit of its design.
The Edge is not small. Considered a midsize
crossover utility vehicle, the Edge competes with the Nissan Murano,
Toyota Highlander and CUVs, all of which are larger than their
slippery styling suggests.
We found the Edge roomy and comfortable with fully
foldable seats for big cargo carrying. It drives well, with good
performance from a modern V6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic
transmission.
The Edge has a contemporary look we find
appealing. We like its bold chrome grille. We think it'll please
buyers coming from SUVs who want a rugged look with room for the
family and assorted stuff. And we think it'll satisfy buyers moving
from a sedan who will find they haven't given up much in the way of
comfort, convenience and driving dynamics.
Ford Edge was introduced as a new product for the
2007 model year; the 2008 Edge offers more equipment and a new
Limited model. Ford Sync communications and entertainment system is
available on the 2008 Edge, allowing the driver to change radio
stations and make phone calls using voice commands. The available
navigation system adds voice activation, the driver's window now
powers up or down with one touch, and a new interior appearance
package has red seating surfaces with contrasting stitching. A power
liftgate, a universal garage door opener, and 20-inch wheels are
available.
The 2008 Ford Edge comes in three trim levels: SE,
SEL, and Limited. All models are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine
that produces 265 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque, coupled
to a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is
standard. All-wheel drive is available for all models.
Edge SE ($25,565) and SE AWD ($27,315) come
equipped with cloth upholstery, driver's seat lumbar adjustment, air
conditioning, cruise control, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, 60/40
split second-row seat, power windows, power locks, power mirrors,
remote keyless entry, 4-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo with auxiliary input
jack, rear spoiler, and P235/65R17 tires on alloy wheels. A six-disc
CD changer ($245) is optional.
Edge SEL ($27,560) and SEL AWD ($29,310) add fog
lamps, six-way power driver's seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel
with audio controls, keyless keypad entry; 6CD, automatic
headlights, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a vehicle information
center. A Premium Package ($1675) upgrades the SEL with leather
upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, interior air
filter, heated front seats, memory for the driver's seat and
driver's exterior mirror, universal garage door opener, and heated
exterior mirrors with courtesy lights. Options include an upgraded
sound system ($385) and a Seating Flexibility Package ($985) that
adds leather upholstery, a flat-folding six-way power adjustable
front passenger seat, and a second-row split folding rear seat.
Available for both SE and SEL models are Ford Sync entertainment and
communications system ($395) and P245/60R18 tires on alloy wheels
($295). These tires are also offered on chromed alloy wheels for the
SEL ($750).
The new Edge Limited ($30,555) and Limited AWD
($32,305) come with leather upholstery, Ford's Audiophile sound
system with nine speakers, Ford Sync communications and
entertainment system, rear park assist, heated front seats,
flat-folding six-way power adjustable front passenger seat, memory
for the driver's seat and driver's exterior mirror, second-row
reclining and power-folding split seats, dual-zone automatic climate
control, universal garage door opener, interior air filter, heated
mirrors, and P245/60R18 tires on chromed alloy wheels. Limited
options include an Interior Appearance Package ($525) with red
leather seat inserts with contrast stitching; P245/50R20 tires on
alloy wheels ($895); towing package ($395); navigation system
($1995); Sirius satellite radio ($195); power liftgate ($490);
rear-seat DVD
entertainment system ($1295); roof rails ($95). The Vista Roof dual
sunroof ($1395); the portion over the front seats works like a
typical sunroof, though larger, while a fixed glass panel spans the
second row of seats; power-operated cloth shades can close off both
sections.
Safety features that come standard on all models
include dual front airbags, seat-mounted side-impact air bags for
the front seats, side curtain airbags with rollover protection for
both rows of seating, anti-lock brakes, traction control,
AdvanceTrac electronic stability control with rollover mitigation,
and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Rear park assist is available
and can help alert the driver to objects or people behind the
vehicle when backing up.
The Edge is bigger than it looks in photos. The
reason is that it has a wide track and a long wheelbase with short
overhangs. Checking the specs you'll find the Edge is eight inches
shorter than the Ford Explorer yet its wheelbase is barely two
inches shorter. Perhaps more important, the track on the Edge is
over four inches greater while the overall width is just one inch
greater. What does all this mean? (The track is the distance between
the left and right wheels. Wheelbase is the distance between the
front and rear wheels.)
The wide track and long wheelbase relative to the
body make the Edge look solid: The four wheels are near each corner,
making it appear firmly planted on the road. The long wheelbase and
wide track are not just about looks; they make for a more stable
vehicle because the majority of the mass is inside the wheels. A
go-kart is the ultimate expression of this look. We're not
suggesting the Edge looks like a go-kart, but its aggressive stance
makes it stand apart from the tippy look of traditional SUVs with
relatively narrow track measurements and massive front and rear
overhangs.
The Edge features Ford's newly rediscovered bold,
American design. The big chrome grille is placed well forward and
has wide chrome slats that merge into the relatively small
headlights at each side. The high hood is short as the windshield
rakes forward more like a sports car or modern minivan.
Despite having a relatively high waist line with
shallow side windows, the Edge does not appear as stubby as
photographs sometimes suggest. The sporty look is helped by
pronounced fender flares and large wheels. The rear tailgate slopes
quite significantly and is nicely rounded, avoiding the truck-like
rear tailgates found on many SUVs. We found the rear design to be a
cross between a Lexus RX and a BMW X3, which cannot be a bad thing.
The Vista Roof adds expansive twin glass moonroofs
that cover the whole roof, providing all passengers with a clear
view of the sky. There is only a foot-wide panel between the front
and rear panels that is not transparent.
The Edge combines a stylish, comfortable interior
with lots of cargo-hauling utility.
Front-seat occupants find a generous amount of
room, largely due to the vehicle's generous width. There is a large
center console with a storage box big enough for a laptop computer.
Two decent cupholders reside alongside the substantial shifter. The
center stack is angled outward to make it easy to reach the large
knobs for the climate and entertainment controls. The Interior
Appearance Package adds red seat inserts and contrasting red
stitching that combine to give the interior a sporty look. The
instrument pod has four gauges well recessed in their individual
binnacles.
The Ford Sync communications and entertainment
system can be controlled via voice commands or dashboard buttons. It
can recognize Bluetooth-enabled cell phones, access their
phonebooks, and play calls and read text messages through the
speakers. It also has a USB
interface to connect with iPods and other MP3 players (it will
charge an iPod). To issue a voice command, the driver hits a
steering wheel button and speaks the command. Occupants can tell the
system to play a specific artist, album or track stored on an MP3
player. While Sync is nicely integrated, we've found it takes time
to learn the voice commands, and there may be some frustration until
the system is mastered.
The rear seats offer a decent amount of leg room;
in fact, there's two inches more here than you'll find in the larger
Explorer. Headroom is also reasonable in the rear, even with the
optional Vista Roof. The rear-center passenger even gets more room
than normal in a vehicle of this size, thanks to the wide track.
Getting in and out is easier thanks to rear wheels that are placed
well back and thus allow for less intrusion from the wheel wells.
Carrying cargo is an area where the Edge excels.
The tailgate lifts to reveal a wide opening. With the rear seats are
in place there's a reasonable amount of cargo room, but pressing a
button automatically reclines the rear seats to open up 69.0 cubic
feet of storage space on a nearly flat floor. Furthermore, the front
passenger seatback can be folded forward to provide a mostly level
floor space for long objects all the way to the dashboard. The rear
seatback splits 60/40 for increased versatility and the back
reclines several degrees on all models for improved rear-seat
comfort.
The Ford Edge handles reasonably well, given its
considerable size and weight. The Edge is based off the same
platform as the Ford Fusion and the Mazda6, regarded as one of the
better handling midsize sedans. So the Edge starts life with a good
basic structure. Having its wheels out near the corners aids
stability and handling. Naturally, the higher center of gravity
prevents the Edge from being as nimble as a sports sedan, but unless
you need to drive fast through the twisties, you'll find it is
perfectly adequate with less body roll than a regular SUV.
The Edge shares its platform and engine with the
Mazda CX-9 crossover, as well. Ford says it purposely designed the
Edge to deliver a slightly softer ride than that of the CX-9. Those
who have driven both vehicles concur with this assessment.
Ford's 3.5-liter V6 engine has variable valve
timing and is much smoother and more refined than its previous V6s.
This engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission developed
with General Motors. We found the engine produced a good range of
power at all speeds and the transmission shifted smoothly. We would
rate the performance as middle of the pack: it's neither a
barnburner nor a slug.
We found the rack-and-pinion steering provided
good feedback with precise control. We tested both the optional
18-inch wheels and the 20-inch wheels available on the 2008 model
and found the latter did not produce a harsh ride, despite the
larger, heavier wheels and shorter tire sidewall. So, buyers can opt
for the flash without worrying about paying a hefty price in ride
quality.
The Edge we drove had all-wheel drive, which
helped make the car more sure-footed. The all-wheel-drive system is
simple, with a viscous coupling in the middle of the driveshaft that
constantly alters the power to the front or rear depending on the
need at any given time.
The Edge is not designed for off-road use yet it
has a decent ground clearance of eight inches. Ford even specifies
its approach angle (16 inches), departure angle (24.5 inches), and
ramp break-over angle (17 degrees), specifications usually reserved
for off-road vehicles. We think the Edge will be fine on unpaved
roads. We drove a 2008 Edge through snow and ice in
Chicago and found it handled quite well
thanks to the independent suspension and all-wheel drive.
The four-wheel disc brakes worked well, although
we did not get the chance to try them with a fully loaded vehicle.
Ford's AdvanceTrac electronic stability control is standard on all
models. It operates via the ABS
to control wheel slippage when the driver pushes the vehicle beyond
the limit in slippery conditions or in emergency avoidance situation
on a dry highway.
The Ford Edge offers striking styling. The Edge is
a far more efficient vehicle than a traditional SUV. Opt for
all-wheel drive and you've got a great all-year-round car as well.
Some criticize the Edge for not having three rows of seats but that
fact makes for a much more practical and pleasant five-seater. In
short, if you aren't towing heavy trailers or frequently driving
over rugged terrain, the Ford Edge is a smarter choice than a
traditional, truck-based SUV.