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2015 Ford Edge Sport AWD Review by John Heilig +VIDEO


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By John Heilig
Senior Editor
Mid-Atlantic Bureau
The Auto Channel

AUTO PAGE SPECS

REVIEWED MODEL: 2015 Ford Edge Sport AWD
ENGINE: 2.7-liter V6
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters
HORSEPOWER/TORQUE: 315 hp @ 4,750 rpm/350 lb.-ft. @ 2,750 rpm
WHEELBASE: 112.2 in.
LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT: 188.1 x 75.9 x 68.6 in.
TIRES: P285/40R21
CARGO: 39.2/73.4 cu. ft. (rear seats up/down)
FUEL TANK: 17 gal. (est.)
CURB WEIGHT: 4,079 lbs.
COMPETITIVE CLASS: Toyota Highlander, Chevrolet Traverse, Jeep Cherokee
STICKER: $45,300 (includes $895 delivery, $4,890 options)
IIHS CRASH RATING: Top Pick

BOTTOM LINE: Technically a mid-sized SUV, the Ford Edge has all the capabilities of a large one, with carrying capacity, off-road ability, and comfort. 

Aside from a striking mustard exterior color (“Electric Spice” in Ford-speak), the Edge has a lot going for it. It combines very good power from the 2.70liter V6 and 6-speed automatic transmission with very good ride quality. And while my wife and I griped a bit about the color, it is striking and it is ridiculously easy to spot it in a crowded parking lot.          

My big complaint about the Edge is its sticker price - $45,300. To me, that’s about $10,000 more than it should be. Yes, the Edge is a big mid-size SUV and it has all the attributes listed above, but Ford wouldn’t be able to make enough of them if they lowered the price a bit.          

Front seats offer very good comfort with some side support. They are heated and cooled and power adjustable, so just about anyone can find the right position. There’s a practical two-tier center console/arm rest to add to the comfort. Rear seats offer excellent leg room. There’s a fairly flat floor, so a center passenger could sit without too much discomfort. Rear passengers have 12-volt and 110-volt outlets located at the rear of the center console. Four assist handles aid ingress and egress.          

Ride quality is very good on all roads. We had an opportunity to take the Edge on a long trip and we enjoyed the ride.




For entertainment there’s a very good audio system with a full suite of choices. In addition, there are two USB, an AUX and SD plugs in a small cubby at the base of the center stack. Being a Ford, SYNC controls of infotainment are there. The home infotainment screen is divided into four quarters; clockwise from the upper left – phone, compass/navigation, HVAC, audio. Touch the screen in the area you want and you the get a set of choices to go deeper. Navigating among these screens takes some practice, but once you learn, there’s no forgetting.          

The driver faces a busy steering wheel with 21 buttons or toggles to control just about anything from audio to cruise control to the information panel on the dash speedometer. Instruments include the aforementioned small speedometer and the information panel to the left. This can be co figured in a variety of modes to include fuel economy, fuel level and an even smaller tachometer. You can also have an audio readout with outside temperature, a compass and a digital clock.          

To me, the real test of a sport utility is its cargo capacity, and the Edge won’t disappoint. You can easily carry four golf bags back there. Switches in the cargo area lower the second row seat backs, but they don’t raise them. In addition, there are two storage compartments under the cargo floor. Besides all the other storage cubbies, etc., there is a small console on top of the dash.          

As with many vehicles these days, there is a rear-facing camera to assist in parking. The Edge also has a forward-facing camera that helps locate the front of the vehicle when parking. It’s a nice advantage to be able to see where the nose of the edge is.          

Ford redesigned the Edge for the 2015 model year, adding some character lines to what may have been considered a bland exterior. Personally, I believe the changes are good, even if I still have issues with the color.




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