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HEELS ON WHEELS: 2017 FORD EDGE REVIEW


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HEELS ON WHEELS
By Katrina Ramser
San Francisco Bureau
The Auto Channel


INTRO TO THE EDGE VEHICLE The Ford Edge is a roomier two-row crossover than most, which can be a nice change if you’re feeling cramped inside compact SUVs and just don’t buy into the limited rear space of some third-row vehicles.

I drove a 2017 Ford Edge with the turbocharged 315-horsepower 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine and the six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission. The Edge continues to be offered in four trims – the base SE, SEL, Titanium and Sport. My Sport test drive came with the following standard features: leather-trimmed seats; ten-way driver’s seat; heated front seats; SYNC 3 with an eight-inch touchscreen; Sony audio system with HD Radio; a rearview camera; sport-tuned suspension; smart charging media bin with USB ports; leather-wrapped steering wheel with five-way controls; push-button start; power liftgate; reverse sensing system; Ford’s MyKey; and nineteen-inch wheels. Total vehicle price as described without options came to $40,900.

Having taken on a redesign two model years ago, expect minor tweaks. Competition in terms of size and style include the GMC Acadia, Acura MDX and Nissan Murano.

HEELS ON WHEELS REVIEW CRITERIA

Stylish But Comfortable Results: Ford does offer a refined interior with top-quality materials and technology that looks and feels very modern. The newer SYNC 3 system features a layout much easier to navigate during quick glances, ultimately getting you to your desired music and contacts quicker. My Sport test drive came with an optional $3,345 Equipment Group 401A (voice-activated touchscreen, safety technology, heated rear seats, 180-degree backup camera, Park Assist); a $1,150 Collision Warning System; $995 21-inch premium alloy wheels; and $195 second-row inflatable seatbelts (which are very bulky for small children to click in themselves). While the seats are certainly comfortable, even for a tall woman like myself I felt a bit swallowed up by the size of the vehicle and it did my special awareness ability when parking.

Reliability & Safety Factor: The 2017 Ford Edge earned mainly “Good” crash test results with The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) – except for an “Acceptable” in small-overlap frontal. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives it a Five-Star rating. Safety features include Advance Trac with Roll Stability Control (RSC); Anti-Lock Brakes; dual-stage front airbags; seat-mounted side airbags; SOS Post-Crash Alert System; Belt-Minder System; LATCH; Tire-Pressure Monitoring System; and Ford’s MyKey that allows parents to control the audio and speed through key fobs when their teenager takes the wheel. Highly recommended for a vehicle of this size is the optional safety technology such as Blind Spot Monitoring, Land Departure Warning and Enhanced Park Assist.

Cost Issues: The base Edge SE starts at $28,950 with my loaded Sport trim topping out at $46,980. A base 2017 Acura MDX starts at $44,050 with a recent Sport Hybrid at $58,000 with three optional packages that are needed to elevate the comfort of the vehicle.

Activity & Performance Ability: The turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 give the Edge noticeable power and precision paired with commanding brakes and a responsive suspension system. You also have the choice of a 2-liter four-cylinder engine and a 3.5-liter V6. My only complaint is a sense of bulkiness – just don’t skip on the upgraded safety technology. Although pricier, it might be worth your time to test Acura's Earth Dreams Technology engine that features a solid mix of enhancements to their 3.5-liter V6; and one of the main highlights for the Acura MDX Hybrid is a fuel economy at 27 miles-per-gallon combined.

The Green Concern: The 2.7-liter V6 EcoBoost gets 17-city/24-highway driving for an average of 20 miles-per-gallon with all-wheel drive. If its excellent fuel economy you seek in a two-row SUV, you can step down in luxury to a Honda CR-V with the 1.5-liter engine for an EPA-estimated 27-city and 33-highway for a combined fuel economy of 29 miles-per-gallon (I was recently able to get 28.8 on Eco Mode during a test drive).

FINAL PARTING WORDS
The Ford Edge has always possessed luxury-class crossover attitude, giving drivers a sense of modern style and comfort when driving – just make sure you also don’t feel a sense of being overpowered, as it does feel like a cumbersome SUV when behind the wheel. Nothing some safety equipment can’t fix, but much comes at an extra cost.

©2017 Katrina Ramser

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