The
Ford Edge is a midsize crossover sport utility that offers better fuel
economy and road manners than similarly sized truck-based SUVs such as
the Ford Explorer. The Edge handles better than traditional SUVs while
offering almost as much cargo space. It's about 500 pounds lighter than
an Explorer and enjoys an edge of three to four miles per gallon in fuel
economy. It offers similar advantages over other traditional SUVs.
Benefiting from an available all-wheel drive and a fully independent
suspension, the Edge is easier to control than a truck-based SUV in the
snow or on wet, slippery roads. Getting in and out of it is easier, too.
Yet it gives up nothing in passenger and cargo space. In fact, the back
seats in the Edge are roomier than those in the Explorer, a benefit of
its design. The Edge is not small. Considered a midsize crossover
utility vehicle, the Edge competes with the Nissan Murano and Toyota
Highlander. All of these vehicles are larger than they look, a result of
their slippery styling. We found the Edge roomy and comfortable with
fully foldable seats for carrying larger cargo. It drives well, with
good performance from a modern V6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic
transmission. The Edge has a contemporary look we find appealing. We
like its bold chrome grille. We think it'll please buyers coming from
SUVs who want a rugged look with room for the family and assorted stuff.
And we think it'll satisfy buyers moving from a sedan who will find
they haven't given up much in the way of comfort, convenience and
driving dynamics. Edge was introduced as a 2007 model. Changes for 2010
are relatively minor. Most significant are engine improvements resulting
in fuel economy gains of one to two miles per gallon. Edge is EPA-rated
at 18/25 mpg City/Highway with front-wheel drive, and 17/23 mpg with
all-wheel drive. And at Merle Kelly Ford in Chanute Ks we have a great selection of new and pre-owned Ford Edges in stock.
Walkaround
The
Ford Edge is bigger than it looks in photos. The reason is that it has a
wide track and a long wheelbase with short overhangs. The Edge is
almost eight inches shorter in overall length than the Ford Explorer yet
its wheelbase is just over two inches shorter. Also, the track on the
Edge is over three inches wider while the overall width is about two
inches wider. This means that, in relation to the Explorer and speaking
proportionately, the Edge has it tires pushed farther outward, closer to
the corners, both in length and width, which gives it a wider and
longer stance on the road. The wide track and long wheelbase relative to
the body make the Edge look solid: The four wheels are near each
corner, making it appear firmly planted on the road. The long wheelbase
and wide track are not just about looks; they make for a more stable
vehicle because the majority of the mass is inside the wheels. Visually,
this aggressive stance makes the Edge stand apart from the relatively
tippy look of traditional SUVs. The Edge features Ford's bold, American
design. The big chrome grille is placed well forward and has wide chrome
slats that merge into the relatively small headlights at each side. The
high hood is short as the windshield rakes forward more like a sports
car or modern minivan. Despite having a relatively high waist line with
shallow side windows, the Edge does not appear as stubby as photographs
sometimes suggest. The sporty look is helped by pronounced fender flares
and large wheels. The tailgate slopes quite significantly and is nicely
rounded, avoiding the truck-like tailgates found on many SUVs. The
Vista Roof adds expansive twin glass moonroofs that cover the whole
roof, providing all passengers with a clear view of the sky. There is
only a panel, of about one foot, between the front and rear panels that
is not transparent. Merle Kelly Ford in Chanute Kansas we will give you a full demonstration of the Ford Edge inside and out.
Interior Features
The Edge combines a stylish, comfortable interior with lots of cargo-hauling utility. Front-seat occupants find a generous amount of room, largely due to the vehicle's generous width. There is a large center console with a storage box big enough for a laptop computer. Two decent cupholders reside alongside the substantial shifter. The center stack is angled outward to make it easy to reach the large knobs for the climate and entertainment controls. The Ford Sync communications and entertainment system can be controlled via voice commands or dashboard buttons. It can recognize Bluetooth-enabled cell phones, access their phonebooks, and play calls and read text messages through the speakers. It also has a USB interface to connect with iPods and other MP3 players (it will charge an iPod). To issue a voice command, the driver hits a steering wheel button and speaks the command. Occupants can tell the system to play a specific artist, album or track stored on an MP3 player. While Sync is nicely integrated, we've found it takes time to learn the voice commands, and there may be some frustration until the system is mastered. The rear seats offer a decent amount of leg room; in fact, there's two inches more here than you'll find in the larger Explorer. Headroom is also reasonable in the rear, even with the optional Vista Roof. The rear-center passenger even gets more room than normal in a vehicle of this size, thanks to the wide track. Getting in and out is easier thanks to rear wheels that are placed well back and thus cause less intrusion from the wheel wells. Cargo carrying is an area where the Edge excels. The tailgate lifts to reveal a wide opening. With the rear seats in place there's a reasonable amount of cargo room, but pressing a button automatically reclines the rear seats to open up 69.0 cubic feet of storage space on a nearly flat floor. Furthermore, the front passenger seatback can be folded forward to provide a mostly level floor space for long objects all the way to the dashboard. The rear seatback splits 60/40 for increased versatility and the back reclines several degrees on all models for improved rear-seat comfort.
3501 South Santa Fe
Chanute, KS 66720