The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

The Auto Channel's 2011 Ford Edge Review and Road Test - VIDEO ENHANCED


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)

Is a 2011 Ford Edge your Perfect New Car Match?

THE AUTO PAGE
By JOHN HEILIG  

SPECIFICATIONS: 2011 FORD EDGE

 

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))  
Complete 2011 Ford Edge Specs, MPG, Prices, Comparisons, Crash Ratings and Reviews

My Top 5 Reasons To Buy A 2011 Ford Edge

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 RX 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 rear view 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,.  

© 2011 The Auto Page on The Auto Channel

 
Click PLAY to watch the Ford Edge promo video

       

Official 2011 Ford Edge Media Overview

2011 FORD EDGE BLENDS TECHNOLOGY, DESIGN AND CLASS-LEADING POWERTRAINS IN REVAMPED PACKAGE

  • Dramatic freshening of the 2011 Ford Edge and Edge Sport includes extensive exterior redesign, improved materials and craftsmanship on the interior, class-exclusive technology and new powertrains
  • With available MyFord Touch™ driver connect technology, the 2011 Ford Edge crossover wraps an engaging package with superior craftsmanship, capability and performance
  • Ford’s advanced engine valvetrain technology – Ti-VCT (twin independent variable camshaft timing) – helps Edge V6 achieve best-in-class power and torque with fuel economy of unbeatable 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway (front-wheel drive, SEL and Limited)

Style and technology – the hallmarks of Ford Edge since it took the midsize crossover segment by storm starting in 2006 – come together in an all-new way, offering customers even more of what they love for the 2011 model year.

“Customers told us how much they like Edge’s design and dynamic driving quality,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas. “We listened and made sure the new 2011 Edge delivers that and more – including fuel economy leadership, unexpected levels of quietness, a strong new design with quality materials, and MyFord Touch driver connect technology that will change how people interact with their vehicles.”

Customers made the Ford Edge the No. 1-selling vehicle in its segment in its first full year on the market, and 400,000 have been sold since its launch in late 2006. The 2011 Ford Edge now aims to redefine the segment with a wide-ranging scope of improvements.

“The new Edge demonstrates how a refresh at Ford has become more than just a few design and interior tweaks,” explains Elaine Bannon, chief engineer. “We have taken every element of the Edge and completely reworked it, including three new powertrains, two new transmissions, a bold new exterior design and a completely new interior. If you add in our industry-exclusive MyFord Touch system, you have a vehicle that will continue to stand out above all the competition on the road.”


Click PLAY to watch the Ford Edge Sport promo video

Improved power and fuel economy leadership

  • In addition to delivering customer-focused technology, the new Edge also showcases Ford’s impressive drive to bring new powertrain options to the customer. Both the Edge 3.5-liter V6 and Edge Sport 3.7-liter V6 use advanced engine valvetrain technology (twin independent variable camshaft timing, or Ti-VCT) and clever control strategies to increase horsepower and torque to best-in-class levels versus other standard V6 entries. The 3.5-liter V6 produces 285 horsepower and 253 lb.-ft. of torque while the 3.7-liter V6 delivers 305 horsepower and 280 lb.-ft. of torque.
  •  
  • With this best-in-class power, 2011 Edge delivers unsurpassed fuel economy of 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway (3.5-liter V6 FWD, SEL and Limited). This means the new 3.5-liter V6 with Ti-VCT in the 2011 Edge delivers highway fuel economy that is 15 percent better than the Nissan Murano and with 20 more horsepower.

Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox. The SelectShift Automatic™ transmission is standard on the 2011 Edge SEL and Limited series, with class-exclusive paddle activation of the SelectShift standard on the 2011 Edge Sport.

In addition, the arrival of the new 2.0-liter EcoBoost™ I-4 engine in the months ahead will give Edge customers still more choice and will deliver class-leading fuel economy with impressive power and torque. Fuel economy benefits are projected to be at least 10 percent better than a comparable V6 but with class-leading power and torque for an I-4.

A more connected driving experience
New 18-inch tires, standard on the Edge SEL and Edge Limited, and new wheels that are one-half inch wider than the outgoing product provide a more engaging steering feel. Twenty-inch tires with new wider wheels are optional on the Edge Limited while the Edge Sport has class-exclusive 22-inch wheels standard.

Complementing the new tire and wheel lineup is a retuned suspension. Shocks, springs and stabilizer bars were adjusted to tighten handling. The shocks now feature a high-flow piston, which allows engineers to tune for both road loads and driving dynamics, without compromising ride for handling or vice versa. The result is a flatter response through turns and over hills while still providing a comfortable ride.

New four-wheel disc brakes provide enhanced stopping power. Key brake system upgrades include steel pistons, larger rear rotors, revised brake friction materials, upgraded brake booster and revised pedal ratios, all of which enable more initial bite and a firmer, more confident feel when customers press on the brake pedal.

The 2011 Edge offers several new brake-related features: hill start assist, which reduces rollback on hills; trailer sway control, which provides greater towing stability when equipped for trailer tow; hydraulic brake assist, which provides greater braking force in emergency stops; and available segment-first adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support.

Adaptive cruise control allows the driver to set the vehicle’s speed, using advanced radar technology to monitor traffic ahead and scan for slower vehicles.

The system slows the vehicle to adapt for traffic conditions and maintain the preset distance between vehicles. Once traffic clears, the set speed returns. Gap distance settings can be customized from four predetermined options.

Collision warning with brake support uses radar to detect moving vehicles ahead and warns the driver of danger with an audible alarm and warning light. The system also automatically pre-charges brakes and engages an electronic brake assist system to help drivers stop more quickly.

New subframe mounts enhance driveability, help reduce road noise
The original Edge set numerous benchmarks in overall quietness, and that tradition continues on the 2011 model. Both the front and rear subframe mounts have been upgraded, adding to the increased tuneability of the suspension and improving NVH (noise, vibration and harshness).

The larger rear subframe bushing’s rubber volume is five times larger compared with the outgoing bushing, improving the isolation between the subframe and the body, which in turn helps decrease road noise.

Both road noise and wind noise are significantly decreased in the 2011 Edge because of improvements found throughout the interior and exterior, including powertrain. Here’s a look at some of the upgrades:

  • Sound pack and acoustic glass: A more absorptive sound pack is found throughout the interior, which reduces high-frequency noise more effectively than material that acts merely as a barrier. The result is an improved articulation index, which measures how easy it is to hear and understand someone in the vehicle. The 2011 Edge also features an acoustic headliner, and the microphone for the SYNC® system has been relocated so it is closer to the driver for improved voice recognition. The windshield also is thicker and now acoustic-laminated on all Edge models. Finally, baked-on expandable foam baffles in the fenders and D-pillars help seal out unwanted road noise.
  • Powertrain NVH improvements: Three main upgrades contribute to a quieter 2011 Edge from a powertrain NVH perspective. One is the more robust engine cover. The intake and exhaust systems have been completely retuned for a crisper note corresponding to Ford powertrain DNA. Finally, a “tighter” torque converter reduces engine rpm on launch and tip-in events, reducing engine noise.
  • Aerodynamic improvements: Both the lowered front fascia and new underbody shields contribute to decreased wind noise.

Bold, flowing design makes Edge the can’t-miss crossover
The bolder, more seamlessly flowing exterior design freshening is mirrored by a complementary interior, characterized by increased craftsmanship, improved materials and overall better execution. Improved fit-and-finish, softer touchpoints, and flexibility in terms of stowage in the cabin and throughout mark the 2011 Ford Edge.

“To me, craftsmanship isn’t just fit-and-finish,” said Bannon. “It’s also the layout and the ergonomic experience. It’s where we put the material – the stitching, the cutlines – and all the attention to detail to give the customer a great experience.”

Increased presence is announced through a bolder grille and chin spoiler. The A-pillar flows into the hood, which adds subtle undulations to create a heightened sculptural quality. The wrapping lines emphasize both the front end and the new wheel lineup.

2011 Edge Sport adds more power, distinctive look
The 2011 Edge Sport is powered by a 3.7-liter Ti-VCT V6 engine that produces 305 horsepower and is the same as the one in the 2011 Ford Mustang. The 2011 Edge Sport includes all of the content found on Edge SEL as well as a specially tuned suspension, paddle shift transmission and its own unique style.

The Edge Sport’s class-exclusive 22-inch polished aluminum wheels have distinctive Tuxedo Black spoke accents. Other key styling cues include a Tuxedo Black grille, unique headlamp and taillamp treatment, body-color rocker moldings, oval chrome exhaust tips, body-color door cladding and revised body-color lower front and rear fascias.

Key interior differentiators are Liquid Silver Smoke appliqués that are echoed in the Silver Smoke metallic leather seat inserts, aluminum pedals and class-exclusive paddle shifters, which activate the six-speed SelectShift Automatic transmission to give customers the option of a fun-to-shift manual experience.

Unique to the 2011 Ford Edge Sport is that the paddle shift activation is “live in drive,” which means the customer doesn’t have to shift to “M” or manual mode. Instead, while in Drive, the driver can pull the “+” paddle on the right side of the steering wheel or “-” paddle on the left side of the steering wheel to shift up or down gears.

“The 2011 Ford Edge Sport, with its exceptional powertrain, specially tuned suspension and unique style, offers a driving experience not seen in other crossovers, and really appeals to the driving enthusiast,” said Bannon. “Like the rest of the 2011 Ford Edge lineup, it perfectly blends technology and style.”

MyFord Touch ushers in new era of interaction
Industry-first MyFord Touch driver connect technology powered by SYNC® provides a smarter, safer, simpler way to connect drivers with in-car technologies and their digital lives. It replaces traditional vehicle buttons, knobs and gauges with clear, crisp LCD screens and five-way controls like those found on cell phones and MP3 players. It also uses intuitive voice commands.

Standard on the 2011 Edge Limited and 2011 Edge Sport, the MyFord Touch system displays information using two 4.2-inch full-color LCD screens flanking an analog speedometer and an 8-inch touch-screen LCD at the top of the center stack. A five-way switch on each side of the steering wheel crossbar controls the information displayed on the corresponding instrument panel screens. The screens can be personalized to display information relevant to each individual driver.

The steering wheel has all the necessary functions available in a very compact area, right where the driver’s hand falls as he or she grabs the wheel. The five-way buttons feel familiar to anyone who has used a mobile phone or MP3 player.

Like the song? You can tag it
Also new on the 2011 Ford Edge is the world’s first use of iTunes® Tagging in an available factory-installed HD Radio™ receiver. iTunes Tagging provides customers with the ability to “capture” a song they hear on the HD Radio receiver for later purchase from iTunes. With a simple push of a “TAG” button on the MyFord touch-screen display, the song information will be stored in the radio’s memory.

Once a song is tagged and customers dock their iPod to the SYNC system, the tagged song information will transfer to that iPod. Up to 100 tags on SYNC can be stored until the iPod is connected. When the iPod is then synced to iTunes, a playlist of tagged songs will appear. Customers then can preview, and if they desire, purchase and download tagged songs from the iTunes Store.

One significant benefit of HD Radio technology is that the sound quality of the broadcast is dramatically better because of the digital transmission – FM sounds like a CD and AM sounds like today’s FM broadcasts. Unlike analog broadcasts, digital broadcasts aren’t susceptible to interference, fadeout and other issues.

2011 Ford Edge brimming with standard and class-exclusive technologies
MyFord Touch driver connect technology headlines the list of 11 class-exclusive standard and available features and technologies for the 2011 Ford Edge, joining SYNC; Easy Fuel® (standard); SecuriCode™ keyless entry keypad; blind spot mirrors (standard); MyKey® (standard); AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control™, standard); adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support; cross-traffic alert; and 22-inch wheels and paddle activation on the 2011 Edge Sport.

Here’s a closer look at some of the technologies:

  • Adaptive cruise control allows the driver to set the vehicle’s cruising speed, using advanced radar technology to monitor traffic ahead and scan for slower vehicles. The system slows the vehicle to adapt for traffic conditions and to maintain the preset distance between vehicles. Once traffic clears, the set speed returns. Gap distance settings can be customized from four predetermined options.
  • Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with cross-traffic alert is a feature that can help detect vehicles in blind spots during normal driving and traffic approaching from the sides when reversing out of parking spots.
  • MyKey is designed to allow parents to encourage teenagers to drive safely and more fuel efficiently, and increase seat belt usage. The standard MyKey feature allows owners to designate keys that can limit the vehicle’s top speed and audio volume.
  • Easy Fuel (capless fuel filler) is a standard Ford-exclusive feature that uses an integrated spring-loaded flapper door to eliminate the need for a fuel tank screw cap.

“You can jump in the 2011 Ford Edge and bring your technology – your lifestyle – with you and have everything at your fingertips,” said Bannon. “The 2011 Ford Edge gives you all the capability and flexibility you want along with great style.”

The 2011 Ford Edge will be built at Oakville Assembly Complex in Ontario, Canada, and will be available in dealers later this summer.