After spending a few days in our 2007 Ford Edge, I've made a few observations:
I'm glad to see that the automotive industry is phasing-out the fold-and-tumble seat. Due to our kitchen re-model project, I had to buy a dorm-style fridge for use during construction. So off we went to the local home improvement store. The new icebox isn't very big, but the articulated fold-flat seat in our Edge worked well -- as it should in this type of vehicle. Even though I drive with the seat nearly all the way back, I didn't have to inch it forward to fold the seat behind, nor did I have to remove any headrests. Sometimes, when things work well you hardly notice them...
I like the exterior styling. Always have. Several customs I saw at the last SEMA show really caught my eye. But I haven't seen any modded ones on the street yet.
The interior? It's comfortable enough to sit in and my lanky frame is easily accommodated behind the wheel. But I'm not in love with the styling. Call it a platonic relationship. I can't say why exactly. But I think it has to do with the huge A/C vents, chrome accents and pinstriped metallic panels. Not my type, I suppose.
While it drives well enough, I'm not a big fan of the throttle response. The engine packs a reasonable punch, but the response isn't one-to-one with the go-pedal. In the slow-and-go traffic I deal with daily, I have to exaggerate my throttle applications to manage the gap to the ever-changing speed of the cars ahead. The brakes seem to respond in a similar way: I have to exert a bit more force than expected to get the desired result and the initial bite isn't immediate. In traffic at least, always feel half a tick out of step in the Edge. Away from traffic, in situations where I can run my own pace, I don't notice these things nearly as much.
Dan Edmunds, Director of Vehicle Testing @ 6,495 miles
greenpony says:
10:43 AM, 03/23/07
I'm guessing the flaccid throttle response is yet another way to save some fuel. In Edmunds.com's own tests (We Test the Tips) you found an average savings of over 30% by changing from "aggressive" to "moderate" driving. Sounds like the Edge may be programmed to force you into "moderate" driving. Besides, nobody said you _have to_ keep the gap the same... unless you don't want three cars squeezing in front of you!
sddoc07 says:
03:32 PM, 03/23/07
sounds like all of these flaws were (ironically) addressed in the CX-9...?
actualsize says:
07:01 AM, 03/26/07
Good observation. Even though they share some components (but not as many as you think), the CX-9 and Edge feel very different. These are decidely not coporate twins.
jewele888 says:
07:11 AM, 03/26/07
I agree - I looked at the Edge this weekend and the one thing that bothered me is that there were nails popping out on the door cupholder.
Coming from Japanese cars, this is something you would never see. I did not think the interior of the car was refined at all.