Are you a well-educated married couple or at least a person in a committed relationship with two or fewer kids? No?
Sorry to bother you then.
If you said yes, then the 2015 Ford Edge is a vehicle that has been designed for you.
(Disclaimer: Ford wanted me to drive the Edge, so they flew me to Phoenix and put me up for the night in a hotel I will never be cool enough to stay in on my own.)
I was introduced to the new Ford Edge this last summer in Dearborn. I went there with a desire to drive a Fiesta ST, but Ford knew this and had me attend the new Edge seminars. I would sit through 1,000 new vehicle presentations if at the end there is track time with a Fiesta ST.
The new Edge looks great. That opinion does come from a guy whose fashion choices are viewed by most as just passable, so we’ll let you be the final judge on its looks. But it really does look good. The new lines are sharper and yet softer. It’s like hot chocolate and ice cream at the same time, but better.
The overall length of the vehicle is about 4 inches longer and the wheelbase is only slightly larger. Most of that new length can be found in the rear seat legroom and the cargo compartment. There are now over 40 inches of rear legroom. That is equivalent to many large sedans.
The base engine for the Edge is the 2.0L 4-Cylinder Ecoboost engine. The block is new, it has a twin scroll turbo, and other new bits and parts. This power plant makes 245 horsepower and is very adequate to roll down the Arizona highway allegedly at 80mph. It’s a great power number when you consider the Jeep Cherokee four cylinder option’s max power number is 184hp. The 2.0 Ecoboost is available with all wheel drive and is rated for up to 3,500 lbs. of towing. That’s a four cylinder engine that Ford says will do 20 mpg city/30 highway/ 24 combined* and will tow 3,500lbs.
The 2.7L V6 Ecoboost is available as an option and comes standard on the Sport. Making 315 horsepower, the power feels adequate. It isn’t throw you back in your seat aggressive, but it does not feel underpowered. The 18 city/27 highway/21 combined* isn’t shout it from the roof tops great, but they’re not bad either.
The Sport is adequate. The ride is a little rougher because of suspension upgrades and 21-inch wheels with low profile tires. The ride isn’t bad though, just rougher than the other SE, SEL, & Titanium trim levels.
There is also a natural aspirated 3.5L V6 that makes 285 hp and 250 ft lbs of torque…
The interior of the Edge is comfortable. The extra room in the back makes it less awkward when you demand to drive on adult date night. The other couple won’t be crammed into the backseat.
The panoramic sunroof was letting in ample amounts of sunlight and really opens up the inside. The plastics and most surfaces have been upgraded for a softer touch & feel. At this point, a pedantic auto writer/know-it-all had to point out that the door they had there wasn’t the base trim level. Because well-educated couples with two or fewer children are shopping for base models… I asked. They’re not. Only 10% of Edge sales are the base trim level. The plastics and surfaces did feel much better.
Between the Sport and Titanium that I drove in the desert, both are priced in the $40,000 range. The Titanium started around $37,000 and was optioned up to $43,000 and the Sport started at $40,000 and was optioned to $46,000. That’s more expensive than a lot of other vehicles in the category, but you get more safety and technology with the Edge.
It’s a lot of money, but from what I can tell, it’s totally worth it. I’m really looking forward to spending a week with a new Edge. Hint, hint, wink, wink, nudge, nudge. ☺
*All mpg numbers are listed for Front Wheel Drive only.
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