It's not quite a red Saab 900 convertible, but our Ford Edge proved quite the comfortable companion on my weekend trip up to Santa Barbara wine country around Solvang and Buellton, Calif., where the film "Sideways" took place. I must admit that my expectations for the Edge were not very high, but I can't find anything bad to say about how the Edge drives and it proved to be a great road trip car. I love the driving position -- it's lanky dude friendly -- while the seats are both comfy and supportive...
While I enjoy driving the Edge, there are just too many annoying qualities and cost-cutting measures inside the cabin. Ford's standardized black-plastic stereo unit with '80s-grade green lights has got to go. As Scott previously mentioned, the air vents are too big and barely move. The gauges look lame, cheap and are too small. The reflections (pictured) off the tan dash and useless dashtop tray are Olds Aurora-esque (aka not good). The pinstripe silver/grey trim belongs in a trendy '80s apartment featured on "Miami Vice." And finally, the otherwise decent steering wheel is ruined by having urethane extend from the spokes onto the rim right where your hands sit at 9 and 3 (rather than leather). This is cost-cutting pure and simple considering the similar unit on the Fusion and Five Hundred/Taurus/LTD/Galaxy/Model T have leather in the same spots. General material quality is quite good, which makes all these blunders all the more aggravating. It's almost enough to make a man chug the spit bucket, date Virginia Madsen and drive into a tree.
James Riswick, Associate Editor @ 8,427 miles
1487 says:
12:08 PM, 05/21/07
"I must admit that my expectations for the Edge were not very high, but I can't find anything bad to say about how the Edge drives and it proved to be a great road trip car. "
Were expectation low because this isnt a Japanese model? I just find it strange that someone working for an auto magazine would have no clue about the Edge since it's been out for so long and has been heavily covered by the press. While no one has claimed its the best crossover ever, few have been disappointed with the vehicle.
jriz says:
12:56 PM, 05/21/07
My expectations were low based on my previous drive with the vehicle, mostly in traffic, as well as our less-than-stellar blog postings on the Edge. Also, I receive an annual pay-off from the government of Japan in the form of 1,200 Yen and sushi variety plate to unfairly shill their vehicles. So I must admit that may have contributed to my expectations as well.
-James Riswick
bimmerjay says:
01:03 PM, 05/21/07
Such is too typical from Ford these days, I just can't understand all of the very obvious cost-cutting. Why the !%*&# would you build a leather-wrapped wheel with plastic inserts where your hands rest the most? My Model T has a fully leather-wrapped turning knob, thank you very much.
wentyb says:
03:41 PM, 05/21/07
Typical Ford, LAME!
desmolicious says:
04:58 PM, 05/21/07
Wassa wrong with dating Virginia Madsen?