This version of the five-seat crossover shows dynamic polish and an upscale cabin befitting a prestige-branded model. Deserving of a "Most Improved" trophy, attributes include newfound handling agility, interior refinement and an overall premium feel to the nameplate -- catapulting it near the top of our midsized SUV ratings.
Ford graced this iteration of the Edge with athletically responsive handling. The Edge feels taut and sporty at speed, with the steering becoming light and easy to operate when parking or maneuvering the urban jungle. On the open road, the suspension delivers ride comfort just the right side of feeling isolated.
The turbocharged 2.0-liter engine in our test car delivered linear acceleration without the infamous initial "turbo lag" hesitation. By the stopwatch, this powertrain is a bit slower than its rivals, but by the seat of the pants, response and smoothness is on par with a V6. Unfortunately, the turbo engine drinks like a man lost in the desert, at 21 mpg overall in our tests.
A traditional 3.5-liter V6 is available, but its rough character and ravenous appetite for gasoline makes it the least desirable of the options. A twin-turbo 2.7-liter brings some serious hustle to the Edge, although it can only be had with the Sport trimline. An unobtrusive six-speed transmission is paired with all three engines.
Inside, the Edge's styling is austere and formal, with soft-touch surfaces and clever conveniences. The broad hood, deep dashboard, and thick, steeply raked windshield pillars give it unusual, larger-than-life proportions from behind the wheel. Shorter drivers struggled to get the right seat settings to reach the pedals and large drivers felt restricted by the seat bolsters. Thick roof pillars challenge rearward visibility -- meaning you'll want the optional blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert systems.
The Edge has bright, easy-to-read gauges. But the switchgear for the climate controls is tightly packed and mounted inconveniently low. The MyFord Touch infotainment system is frustrating with small fonts, tightly clustered touch-screen buttons and unintuitive functions.
The generous second-row offers abundant room all around and the seat gives good support. The power liftgate whirrs open to expose generous cargo space, with a flat load floor. Roomy quarters, front to back, provide family-sized accommodations.