2011 Ford Edge
For a brand known for its once top selling body-on-frame explorer SUV, the arrival of the 2006 Ford Edge midsize crossover utility really raised eyebrows. But Ford was just responding to the reality of surging gas prices and a flood of lighter, more efficient CUVs from import rivals. So, the Edge was a gamble that paid off. Now, Ford is doubling down with a mid-cycle edge revamp of the Edge. So let’s see if it’s again a winner.
Typical of what car makers call a freshening, the 2011 Edge maintains most of its exterior sheet metal, with major changes largely limited to front and rear fascias.
But, the addition of a big drop-jaw Ford-truck style grille, more expressive headlamp housings, and beefier wheels, does deliver a fresh impression, and makes the modern stance of the Edge even more so.
But, Ford smartly paid a lot more attention to upgrading the interior of the Edge. The instrument panel is improved in style, in fit and finish, with softer materials. Taurus influence is unmistakable.
Our well-equipped Edge Limited also included the latest Sync system which controls climate, stereo, navigation, and other functions.
Ford’s Sync voice recognition system has now morphed into MyFord Touch and it has three screens: two colorful info screens inside the gauge cluster, and a large touch screen in the center dash. Now it looks very much like a big smart phone display.
And like a smart phone, there’s no tactile feel, so you have to look at the screen when you actually want to make a touch selection. We find that distracting—and it’s also annoying, especially when the system locks up like it did for us.
Now there are redundant controls for stereo and climate below, but they’re very sensitive, so again you have to look at what you’re touching.
On the other hand, Sync’s voice command system and Bluetooth connectivity are improved, but they’re still just a little fussy.
The two gauge screens are controlled by five-way switches on the steering wheel. Of all the controls, they are the most intuitive to use.
Available SD-card based navigation adds some neat tricks, too, like buildings appearing in 3D. But the best news here is the addition of SYNC TDI, an On-Star-like voice-prompt navigation feature.
Systems like Sync and MyFord Touch may very well be the future of automotive controls. Still, we also hope efforts continue to make voice command systems more intuitive, since you don’t have to take your eyes off the road to use those.
Edge remains a five-passenger crossover. The new front seats are more comfortable but could still use more lateral support.
Ford’s unique door keypad is standard on all but base trim. Blind Spot Monitoring is an option.
Rear seat space and comfort remain excellent, even for six-footers. That still leaves room for 32.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind a large opening hatch. And, folding the seats down brings that space to a competitive 68.9 cubic feet.
Base power for the Edge is still a 3.5-liter V6. But it’s smoother, with 285 horsepower, up 20, and 253 lb-ft of torque, up three.
New is the Mustang’s 3.7-liter V6 in the Edge Sport with 305-horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque.
Front-drive six-speed automatics are fitted to both sixes with Sport trim adding paddle shifters. All-wheel drive adds new Hill Start Assist.
Still to come is an Edge Ecoboost, with a direct-injected, turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4. But, even without Ecoboost, Edge made gains in fuel economy.
Our front-drive 3.5 has government fuel economy ratings of 19 city, 27 highway. That’s up one in the city and two on the highway. On our test loop, we averaged 22.8 mpg of regular.
The Edge’s moderate Energy Impact Score of 15.6 barrels of oil per annum, and 8.5-ton Carbon Footprint, mirror those of the Toyota Venza V6.
Edge track performance was well above par: zero to 60 in 7.1 seconds, and the quarter mile in 15.7 seconds at 93 miles per hour. Power was best in the upper revs.
There was a fair amount of body roll through the slalom, but it had no notable affect on stability. The Edge Sport with its 22-inch wheels does even better.
The all-disc braking system is also new, from booster, to calipers, to first time Brake Assist. Our average 60-to-0 stopping distance of 129 feet was far better than the 146 feet in our previous test. Still, the 2011 Edge exhibited moderate fade and nose dive.
The Edge is a solid long distance highway tourer. Improved sound insulation, including acoustic glass, complement powertrain tweaks for impressively low noise at speed.
Pricing for a base Edge SE starts at $27,995. Our front drive Limited begins at $34,995, and the Sport at $36,995. All-wheel drive adds $1,850 more.
The improvements in the 2011 Ford Edge are extremely well-thought out. More tech, more comfort, and more all-around performance, without compromising its already strong five-passenger utility traits. It’s a perfect pairing for the all-new seven-passenger Explorer due soon. And that will make even more of a competitive edge for Ford’s rivals to worry about.
Specifications
- Engine: 3.5-Liter V6
- Horsepower: 285
- Torque: 253 Lb Feet
- 0-60 MPH: 7.1 Seconds
- 1/4 Mile: 15.7 Seconds @ 93 MPH
- 60-0 MPH: 129 Feet
- EPA: 19 MPG City/ 27 MPG Highway
- Mixed Loop: 22.8 MPG
- Energy Impact: 15.6 Barrels Oil/Yr
- CO2 Emissions: 8.5 Tons/Yr
2024 Mazda CX-90
A Force To Be Reckoned With
If you’ve been following Mazda lately, you’ll know they’ve been fielding some serious new designs; you could even say, they’re latest efforts are 10-times better than before. After all, the CX-3 became the CX-30, then CX-5 became the CX-50, and now it’s the CX-9’s turn. So, let’s find out if this all-new CX-90, their largest SUV yet, is a real multiplier or if it’s all just a numbers game.
Don’t think of this 2024 Mazda CX-90 so much as an updated version of the CX-9, as it’s more of a complete rethink of their 3-row crossover, the first built on an all-new, large vehicle platform for the brand. And this platform carries a host of surprises. Not only does it make the CX-90 bigger by every dimension, but it’s a rear-drive architecture, and features all-new powertrains, including the brand’s first plug-in hybrid, and even an inline-6 engine.
Why an inline-6 to replace the CX-9’s turbo-4? Well, in general terms, I6s are better balanced, run smoother, and can deliver more torque at lower RPM. Just ask the BMW faithful, or any of the truckers you see going down the road hauling more than 20-tons of cargo with their inline-6s.
There are 2-versions of the longitudinally mounted 6, both assisted by turbocharging and a 48-volt mild hybrid system. Output for the base Turbo is 280-horsepower and 332 lb-ft. of torque; this Turbo S cranks it up to 340-horsepower and 369 lb-ft. The PHEV, on the other hand, is based on a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter I4, working with a 100-kW electric motor to deliver 323-horsepower and 369 lb-ft. of torque. A 17.8-kWh battery delivers 26-miles of EV driving.
It’s not the prettiest SUV, but it does have very smooth body work; plus, the longer hood and 7½-inches of wheelbase stretch over the CX-9, give it more stately proportions. All CX-90s come with i-Activ all-wheel drive and the brand’s first 8-speed automatic transmission; the longer wheelbase allows tow ratings to step up from 3,500-lbs. to 5,000.
At the test track, our Turbo S launched effortlessly with good grip on the way to a 6.4-second 0-60. The smooth vibes continued throughout the ¼-mile, with refined power delivery, seamless shifts, and a noticeably more solid and stable feel at speed than the CX-9. Our best time was 14.7-seconds at 98 miles-per-hour.
Through the cones, it still behaves like a Mazda, with very good steering feel and a solid presence in corners at low to moderate speeds. Some understeer and body roll will show up when pushed hard, but Mazda’s Kinematic Posture Control uses subtle selective braking to help the vehicle rotate, and safety systems will step in well-before it gets out of sorts.
There’s a nice firm feel to the brake pedal, delivering good stopping results of 118-feet from 60 miles-per-hour. You can feel a lot of weight transfer, but nosedive was well contained.
Another unique element the CX-90 brings is seating arrangements for 6,7, or 8. It’s the 8-seater that’s standard with 3-across bench seating for 2nd and 3rd rows. 7-seaters get either captain’s chairs in the 2nd row, or more contoured seats for the 3rd; 6-seaters sport 2nd row captains and the contoured 3rd row. Cargo capacity varies with seating, but is at best 15.9 cubic-ft. behind the 3rd row, 40.1 behind the 2nd, and 75.2 with all seats folded.
As far as what it’s like to actually live with, the CX-90’s cabin is a clear step up, including on some trims suede-like materials, intricate stitching, and real wood, all consistent with what we’ve seen from the brand lately. A 10-inch dashtop touchscreen is standard for infotainment, with upper trims getting a larger 12.3-incher. We applaud Mazda’s inclusion of plenty of old-school manual controls for radio and climate, which keeps menu diving limited to secondary functions. PHEVs get a few unique controls and readouts to monitor drive modes and battery level.
Overall, the CX-90 is highly functional, entertainingly sporty to drive, and will be more competitive in the ever growing 3-row family crossover segment; and its posh interior may even attract luxury buyers on a budget.
Government Fuel Economy Ratings for the Turbo S are 23-City, 28-Highway, and 25-Combined. We averaged a good 26.5 miles-per-gallon of Regular.
Pricing begins with the base Turbo at Select trim for $40,970, PHEVs are available in Preferred trim and above starting at $48,820, and the Turbo S starts at $53,125.
Force multiplier is a military term for when strategic elements come together to produce results greater than would have been possible without them. Well, no high-level math skills are necessary here to see that the 2024 Mazda CX-90 is clearly more than just a much better CX-9; it’s now a force to be reckoned with in the 3-row family crossover segment.
Specifications
- Engine: 3.3-liter I-6
- Horsepower: 340
- 0-60 mph: 6.4 seconds
- 60-0 Braking: 118 feet (avg)
- MW Fuel Economy: 26.5 MPG (Regular)
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Torque: 369 lb-ft.
- 1/4 Mile: 14.7-seconds at 98 mph
- EPA: 23 City / 28 Highway / 25 Combined
- Starting Price: $40,970