2007 Ford Edge

Two years of volatile gas prices have prompted many consumers to dump their love for heavy, thirsty sport-utility vehicles, and run off with lighter, thriftier crossover-utility vehicles. Ford, long the king of trucks, already had the compact Escape and large Freestyle CUVs. But what they needed is a new edge. This new, mid-size Edge to be exact. So let’s see if the Edge CUV is as sharp as it looks.

Consumers looking to move to a crossover-utility vehicle are expecting all of the versatility of a traditional body-on-frame SUV with the convenience, agility, and fuel economy of a unitized-body minivan or larger sedan. That tall order is the aim of the 2007 Ford Edge mid-size, 5-passenger crossover.

It’s a little too easy and perhaps annoying to say the look is a bit “Edgy,” but it’s certainly a modern look with both bold lines and smooth curves. The large chrome slatted grille is straight off the Fusion, and clearly shows Ford’s “bolder” intentions, as do the standard 17-inch and optional 18-inch alloy wheels. The muscular styling continues at the rear, with its wide stance, high-mounted spoiler, and dual-chrome exhaust tips.

But, it will take more than looks to make the Edge a success. Spaciousness and flexibility are the keys in this segment. Here,the Edge doesn’t disappoint. The cockpit is well laid out with all controls falling easily to hand. Large vertical vents are the centerpiece of the dash which here sports an optional Nav. System. CD/MP3 audio with a console mounted auxiliary input jack is standard as are front-side impact and two-row curtain airbags with rollover sensor.

Seats are supportive, heated, and leather-clad in our SEL tester. Our SEL also came equipped with the two-panel Vista-Roof for a serious open-sky experience. Rear-seat passengers will find plenty of leg room, and reclining seat backs. 

Rear cargo volume is 32.1 cubic feet. Fold the rear seats using the “EasyFold” Electro-mechanical release and volume grows to 69.6 cubic feet. In addition, the front passenger seat folds flat for extra-long items. 

At the track, the Edge proved light and almost nimble. There’s predictable under steer, and a fair amount of initial body roll, but once you get past that, you can push the 4,200 pound Edge pretty hard with fine results.

Stability control is standard as are all-disc ABS brakes that, like the MKX, produced long stops. Here, an average of 146 feet from 60 to 0.

Engine choices are simple: there’s one, but it’s an all-new 3.5 liter Duratec V6. This aluminum-block twin-cammer delivers 265-horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque.

It’s mated to an also all-new 6-speed automatic transmission in front or automatic all-wheel-drive which can shift up to 100% of torque to the rear wheels as needed.

That combination provides for a spirited, at least for a utility, trip down the strip. The Edge reaches 60 in 7.5 seconds, and arrives at the end of the quarter-mile in 16.0 seconds flat at 89 miles-per-hour. 

The engine feels powerful, if a little rough around the edges. And, with the optional Class II hitch receiver, towing capacity is 3,500 lbs.

Government fuel economy estimates for the Edge with all-wheel-drive are 17/city and 24/highway.  Expect 20 in normal driving on regular gas. The Edge has an Energy Impact Score of 17.1 barrels. That’s its total oil consumption for a year and about 20% lower than a typical body-on-frame utility.

Leading Edge pricing is also a part of the equation. The base SE starts out at $25,995, while the top-drawer SEL Plus stickers at $29,745.  All-wheel-drive is a stand-alone option at $1,650 more. Overall, the Edge is a couple of grand less expensive than a similar-sized Nissan Murano.

In total, the 2007 Ford Edge covers all the crossover bases and then some. Plus, it has its own style, or if you please, “edge,” to its design that we find very appealing. It’s not a cookie-cutter CUV, and one bound to make a lot more folks crossover to this new wave in utility vehicles.