2012 Ford Edge Ride and Review By John Heilig

2012 Ford Edge

THE AUTO PAGE
By JOHN HEILIG

SPECIFICATIONS : 2012 FORD EDGE SEL

Model: 2012 Ford Edge SEL
Engine: 2.0-liter Ecoboost I4
Horsepower/Torque: 240 hp @ 5,500 rpm/270 lb.-ft. @ 3,000 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 111.2in.
Length/Width/Height: 184.2 x 76.0 x 67.0 in.
Tires: P245/60R18
Cargo volume: 32.2/68.9 cu. ft. (behind 2nd row/behind front row)
Fuel economy: 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/26.2 mpg test
Fuel capacity: 18.0 gal.
Curb weight: 3,998 lbs.
Sticker: $37,065 ($825 delivery, $5,100 options)

The Bottom Line: Put simply, the Ford Edge does everything and gives you everything, except perhaps overdone luxury, that the crossovers from Acura and Lexus do, but at a price that's $10,000-$20,000 less.

It's a funny thing about the Ford Edge with the Ecoboost engine. I must confess that I don't always look at the specifications of a car I' m driving at the beginning of the ride. Often I don't check the specs until much later.

So as I was tooling along in the Edge around town and on one long ride, I was impressed by the power. I thought there was a 3.5 (or so) liter V6 under the hood. I was surprised to find it was a little 2.0-liter inline four, turbocharged of course.

So that was the reason we achieved 26.2 mpg on our test, which did include a couple of hundred miles of Interstate driving. The engine offered all the power of a V6, with none of the detriments of a turbo, such as turbo steer, where the car wants to turn right or left every time the turbo kicks in.

And, unlike most fours, it was quiet. No engine, or road, noise intruded into the cockpit, making for a pleasant trip.

Aside from the engine, the Edge is an excellent driver. It was smooth and comfortable on our long ride. The only problem we had was that the shifter would shift to low instead of drive when you were starting off. The detent could have been stronger. After a short while, though, the engine starts revving much higher than you would expect and you notice the problem and correct it.

The suspension is not soft, but it's compliant, making for good ride quality.

Kudos, too, to the designer of the Edge's instrument panel, which I discovered is also mimicked in the Explorer. The ip gives you all the information you'd want in a unique fashion.

On the left is a multiple gauge with, on the left, fuel economy and an odometer. To the right of that is a vertical bar fuel gauge, and to the right of that is a small, vertical bar tachometer. With a 6-speed automatic transmission, the need for a tachometer isn't great, but it was there and didn't take up a lot of space.

Just to the right of the tach is a large round speedometer. To its right is another multiple gauge with entertainment information on the top; outside temperature, compass and digital clock lower down; location from the navigation system, and driver and passenger temperatures. This section reverts to a map when the navi system is on.

All this sounds like a lot of information, and it is, but it's presented in a useful form.

The front seats are comfortable and offer good side support. The rear seats give very good leg room. There's a pull-down are rest in the back with a pair of cup holders.

There's only one assist handle in the Edge, for the front passenger, and there are hanger hooks in the rear.

Luggage capacity is very good. The rear seat backs fold to increase capacity, either manually or with a power assist. Under the cargo area floor is a full sized spare. There are also small storage areas surrounding the spare.

I must confess that it has taken a while, but I have finally learned to use Ford's SYNC interactive infotainment system. While I complained about it because it was hard to learn, with a little effort it isn't that difficult. It's excellent for making phone calls while driving, as well as for adjusting the audio system by simply talking to it.

SYNC and MyFordTouch are a big part of the option package. These and the rearview camera and ambient lighting set you back $2,510. The voice activated navigation system adds another $795.

Surprisingly, the Edge is an elegant car without all the excess leather and wood you find in the more expensive CUVs.