2012 Ford Edge - Review

The Basics:

It's not radically reinvented, but the latest Ford Edge is a substantial, beefy five-seat crossover with some compelling features--features like real adult interior room, the tech-savvy MyFord Touch system, even the simply appealing Vista Roof glass panel.

The heavily refreshed Edge was new for 2011, and this year has a new addition to the lineup in the form of an EcoBoost engine, a turbocharged four-cylinder with comparable power to the base V-6, with a highway gas mileage rating of 30 mpg. The standard six-cylinder remains available in 285-hp form, and the Edge Sport returns with its 305-hp six and sport tuning. All versions have a firm but not busy ride, relatively quick steering, and the kind of predictable tall-wagon handling that makes them great choices for family commuters and carpoolistas--even the Edge Sport, with its massive 22-inch wheels.

The Edge hasn't earned the best safety scores from the NHTSA, but the IIHS calls it a Top Safety Pick. With standard curtain airbags and anti-lock controls, the Edge can be upgraded with blind-spot monitors, parking sensors and a rearview camera, but it lacks the latest options for features like inflatable rear seatbelts found on the seven-seat 2012 Explorer.

All Edges get a USB port for music players; a capless fuel filler; and MyKey, which lets parents program in speed and volume limits for their younger drivers. Then there's MyTouch, which uses Bluetooth and touchscreens to take the place of dozens of buttons and switches, rendering the dash neat and clean while relying on voice or steering-wheel-button commands to drive secondary vehicle functions like navigation and climate control.

With styling refreshed and warmed up nicely in 2011, the Edge's main selling points are its stylish and spacious interior, the advanced technology on board, and now, the promise of 30-mpg fuel economy. If you're seeking a truly sporting edge, you'll probably need to spend more for a German SUV with less interior space, though.