2007 Ford Edge

hesty21

Unfortunately, you are correct.

carnivore

Ugh, flip-up rear glass was a feature I was hoping for too. Such a simple yet essential detail when you need to pick up some long boards or molding strips at Home Depot.

At least it will still be better than the Rav 4, which not only has no flip-up glass but also a tailgate that *swings* open...the wrong way.

akirby

the Rav 4, which not only has no flip-up glass but also a tailgate that *swings* open...the wrong way.

Not anymore. The 2007 model has a traditional hatch. Not sure about the flip up glass.

carnivore

The 2007 model has a traditional hatch.

Oh really? Believe it or not that was the main reason I didn't buy a Rav 4 and was waiting to look at the Edge. So now it's a tie in that department for 2007. I'm really looking forward to comparing these two vehicles for myself now.

akirby

Oops - sorry. I think that was the Honda CR-V that switched from the door to a traditonal hatch. I didn't realize the Rav4 had the same type of rear door. Looks like that didn't change.

mschmal

Mark.

bruneau1

I hope the Edge does well for Ford, but I question it's place in the Ford lineup, and too heavy, oink, oink, and mediocre mileage. I have a Freestyle which could have used the 3.5 and in some ways is a better vehicle. There are too many new vehicles in this nitch and Ford hasn't come up with anything compelling. Maybe the FWD model would be the better choice for pep and mileage, and price. Too many people think they need AWD; some do , most don't. How did we ever get along before the AWD craze?

akirby

I agree it may not get as many conquest buyers as the Fusion but it does give Ford buyers a sportier choice in the crossover category and will retain Ford customers moving from SUVs to CUVs where they would have otherwise gone somewhere else.

I don't care about the weight but the less than stellar mileage does bother me.

garandman

I hope the Edge does well for Ford, but I question it's place in the Ford lineup, and too heavy, oink, oink, and mediocre mileage

What would you consider ideal weight and better than mediocre mileage, then?

philmo

I dunno, how did we ever get along before seat belts? Deadly, one may remember. I guess it never rains or snows where you live. Or sand never blows across the road. Or you never hit any washboard or gravel while cornering. Where do you drive, the Autobahn at Disneyland in Anaheim?

AWD is a blessing over heavy, full-featured four-wheel drive systems which were the only choice (besides Quattro) not even a generation ago. Sure, my old front wheel drive Accord was manageable if very, very careful when driving over Donner Pass, but everybody in the car is much happier today doing the same in an AWD Volvo S60.

Would the future be a bad place if all vehicles had some form of AWD? Now if we could just get rid of those pesky air bags -- I can't find the switch to turn them on...

bruneau1

Your analogy between AWD and seat belts is forced. Everyone agrees that seat belts save lives and reduce injuries. There isn't any such evidence or opinion about AWD. While AWD is beneficial in some circumstances, it is true that the vast majority of drivers of CUV type vehicles use them as cars with more space, with no off- roading, towing, or even filling up all those seats. People buy them because they sit high, carry stuff, often are more comfortable than cars, etc. Today people want good mileage in their CUVs. FWD, snow tires, and traction control is all that most people really need, and in many climates like my own, not even snow tires. AWD often is a waste of resources, your money, performance and mileage. I visited my local Ford dealer the other day and there was not one FWD Freestyle on the lot and they don't get any. Instead. they have a bunch of AWD loaded up with every option. Who will pay $37,000 for a AWD Freestyle???? Ours is a Limited FWD and we love it and paid 27,500. If Ford and dealers load up on maxed AWD models, expect the Edge to be a flop. There are better vehicles out there for less money.

rcf8000

I just read the M/T evaluation of the Edge; it looks like they expect the Edge to be a flop regardless of how they're optioned. Seldom have I read a more devastating review of a new vehicle. It's a real shame. I thought the Edge might give the Highlander some serious competition, but apparently it won't. Some may disagree with some of M/Ts observations, but one fact can not be disputed: too much weight.

akirby

The C&D review was mostly positive with only a few minor issues - nothing like the MT review. Makes you wonder if they had the same vehicle. Maybe it was a pre-production prototype with issues.

I don't think it's perfect but I think it's good enough to sell 150K/yr.

markan

In a perfect world the Edge would be lighter and get 30 on the highway. BUT... For someone who has owned 5 Dodge and Chrysler minivans; doesn't need to haul 7 while thinking the Freestyle rides and handles great but looks like a station wagon; and is looking for the best combination of style, ride, and performance; the Edge looks like the vehicle for me.

philmo

Sorry, could you provide a link to the M/T article you read? I'm not having any luck searching for it at M/T. Thanks.

coldcranker

The Edge probably rides more comfortably than a Murano, but the Murano is an overall superior vehicle (performance, engine, radical styling, etc. all better). The Freestyle is great, but you're right it looks like a station wagon. Also, the Murano has been refined now for 4 years, so look for it to be more reliable than the new Edge / new 3.5L.

driverdm

So is Motortrend god now? Look at Edmunds, C&D, and the countless other auto reviews like thecarconnection, etc., etc. and see what they say. They say something almost completely opposite. The MAJORITY of reviews say that Ford finally has something comparible and the Edge should do very well. Do we look at the minority now? Do we just look for the instance of bashing and jump on it? If 100 people vote yes, does it not matter if 10 vote no? Come on, this just isn't logical anymore.

Again what does weight matter if the vehicle is faster and handles just as good as its competition. Also remember car mags take the vehicles through the slalom at the maximum. NO ONE drives like this in normal life. I own a Mazda6 and though its handling is superb, I haven't taken the car to its limits of handling even with my brisk driving nature. Who the heck takes a CUV or SUV to it's handling max?

driverdm

"...but the Murano is an overall superior vehicle (performance, engine, radical styling, etc. all better)"

Observations:
The Ford engine has more horse. The Edge runs faster to 60 and handles much like the Murano. Styling? I don't like the Murano styling. I think the Edge and CX-7 are much better. Many Highlander, Sante Fe, CR-V, Tribeca, etc. owners may also agree. That is why styling is subjective.

passat_2002

All this hand-wringing over a vehicle that nobody has even seen yet, much less driven. All I know about the Edge is that it looks great inside and out and it's going to come with a new state-of-the-art engine and 6-speed transmission. It's also going to look radically different than anything else on a Ford dealer's lot. For these reasons alone, I would be very surprised if it doesn't sell very very well.

stever

Some people have seen (and driven) them (at least a test one):

Ford -- Living on the Edge? (Karl on Cars)

rcf8000

The Motor Trend article is in the December issue.

I'd have to say that Karl had some major beefs with the Edge. Yes, it will sell, but we'll be seeing major rebates, I'd be willing to bet. Isn't a new Highlander supposed to be coming out next year? The Edge isn't as good as the current Highlander, from what I'm reading.

driverdm

Karl report nothing about the vehicles weight being a problem. Not a single word. Notice the bold below:

"Driving dynamics should be considered a strong point for the Edge. It has standard Ford steering, meaning accurate and communicative, and the ride/handling balance is about perfect for the target customer (I'd personally prefer a bit stiffer suspension settings, but most buyers will like the tuning). Acceleration is also strong, if not class leading. We need a comparison test to confirm how it stacks up in the segment, but I don't see anyone complaining about power in this vehicle, and overall engine refinement is not an issue."

stever

If you go to the blog link posted, you can ask Karl directly if he thought the Edge felt heavy. If nothing else, it'll give editorial something to focus on when they do a full test or comparison test.

driverdm

What Karl thinks about Edge sales:

"Ultimately I see the Edge being a successful product for Ford. It looks good, it drives well and it has a comfortable, roomy and attractive (if somewhat chintzy) interior. Ford is hoping for well over 100,000 in annual sales, and I think it will get them. "

No mention of rebates.

rcf8000

Karl said a lot about expecting more from a $36,000 car, though. To me, this implies that price cuts will be required to move them.

driverdm

Either that or dealers simply will not order the $36k model. Can't put rebates on models that you don't have. The high end may be mostly on a by order basis or a very minimal number of the total percentage built. The Edge is a good vehicle, now if you want to look at something that will be born on deathwatch, look at the MKX. Not enough differentiation in features and content, etc.

garandman

Karl said a lot about expecting more from a $36,000 car, though. To me, this implies that price cuts will be required to move them.
Or that his opinions are out of touch with buyers. Ford has over 20,000 orders in hand and over 50,000 web requests for information - as of last month.

rcf8000

20,000 orders from customers or dealers?

akirby

Dealers, of course. Customers don't buy cars from Ford.

coldcranker

Reply to Post #735: Emergency maneuvers and the ability to stay on the road in bad weather is where the handling limits are important. Some of us want good handling (performance). If all we did was go straight down the road, and we never had to do accident avoidance maneuvers, then you'd be right. And, those who say the Murano is slower than an Edge (MKX) are wrong.

driverdm

That is where ABS, and traction control kick in. That is so not true, I can't even begin. How come people buy SUV's period if they are so concerned about avoidance manuevers? So that is why people buy a Mazda6, geez I never would have guessed that one. Or a Legacy. It is the safety facter of doing emergency manuevers. That is why car mags test cars on the slalom, so people can gauge what will happen incase of an emergency. I could swear traction control, ABS, stability control, etc. had more to do with that. I could have sworn that the slalom is about performance, plain and simple. I could have sworn they go through the slalom on the gas, not the brake, to see how fast they can make it through the cones. So tell me, when people are doing avoidance manuevers, what pedal is their foot on? :confuse:

driverdm

I believe that it actually is customer orders that they place with a dealer. Why would they report dealer orders, that doesn't equate to anything and the dealers across the nation would add up to much more than 20,000 units.

akirby

Ford is only expecting to sell around 10k Edges per month, so 20,000 is a 2 months supply. The point was the dealers had their orders in very early because they've gotten a lot of customer interest. As opposed to only ordering a few and then waiting to see how they sell.

You don't think 20,000 people would order an Edge without even seeing one, much less test driving it? A few hundred, sure, but not 20,000.

bobw3

One thing they need to get rid of are those green radio/HVAC readouts. I have them in my Freestyle and they're about my only complaint with the car. They're just really hard to read during the day and if I'm wearing sunglasses, then just to see the outside temp, volume, HVAC setting, etc require me to take off my glasses, or use my right hand to shade the readouts.

akirby

That's strange - I have the same ones in my Fusion and I don't have a problem seeing them even with sunglasses. I much prefer green to red or orange.

bobw3

Maybe it's the position on the dash for the Freestyle? I just know that during the day if I'm trying to read the temp readout and it's sunny they're tough to read. Maybe in the Fusion they're more at eye level? In the Freestyle you're looking more down at them. But even the odometer is in the same style of very thin green LED that gets washed out in the sun. My Cougar had a plain black on white LCD with wide numbers and really easy to see. I do prefer the green color, but I just wish the digits were wider or something.

akirby

Yes, must be the position. Wife had a loaner Freestyle for a couple of days but I didn't drive it during the daytime.

rcf8000

In their Dec. issue, Automobile Magazine concludes that the Edge "does little to advance the art of the segment in which it competes."

akirby

Remember, this is not an enthusiasts vehicle. Notice there's no mention of the engine being "thrashy" at WOT.

http://www.familycar.com/RoadTests/FordEdge/

rcf8000

If I was primarily interested in functionality, it seems to me that the Freestyle has it all over the Edge.

akirby

I just had a Freestyle loaner and didn't care for the interior or exterior styling, but that should change next April. But it would function better.

rafael2

"The Edge is undeniably one of the better looking Fords to go into production in a while. And they're really hyping crossovers as the hot new market as truck-based SUVs continue to die out. What do you think? It the Edge the leader of a turn-around at FoMoCo?" Question posted at a forum.

Brings to mind the Ford Focus. All that hype about utility and fuel economy. Well, who likes the Focus now? Plague with problems and defects not to mention that a 2003 Focus LX looks like a 1995 Honda Civic if that.

Time will tell BUT, LOOK at the pictures posted at Familycar.com and will see a bunch of miss alignment in the interior . http://www.familycar.com/RoadTests/FordEdge/Images2007/Console.jpg
look at the outer plastic of the console as it comes down to the floor. Ohmmmm, this is just one. The Lincoln also has mis-alingments too. OHhmmm.

I think of it as a lease or rental, best to barrow it drive it for a day and let someone else pay the bill.

Another thing, it seems that FoMoCo workers are in the forums defending their jobs.

Nice guys
Someone has to do the fight for FoMoCo.
FoMoCo gives a lot of clues in their video episodes. In the introduction video he says

"... America loves the truth and loves an underdog and that us." WOW.

Also, if you listen all they do is make promises and talk about the good looks of the Edge (have you look at 2007Mazda CX-9, or a cheaper better 2007 Honda CRV?) and then they shift blame of the past in engeneering and design. The is 2 guys saying they need to count on people to bring their design to standards as to say "not my foult the company dont give me what I ask for". LOser culture.

And YES I'm mad a bit about the whole thing.
I need another car I would like it to be American made with American name BUT, I think HONDA and Toyota are just MORE American than Ford.
And that will have to do.

rafael2

Quote: "The styling is what is going to sell the Edge and there is nothing about the rest of the car that should stand in the way."

Did he mention QUALITY built and durability by any chance??

Indeed the Edge looks that kills lol.

mschmal

Just for your information, Job #1 on the Edge and MKX started on 11/06/06. The vehicles these journalists drove were PREPRODUCTION it would be very unfair to judge the final fit and finish from photos taken of these Pre production vehicles.

Ford already stated that the dash material on was going to be changed for Job #1 because it was causing glare. Often, many final details and are decided and production kinks worked out just before Job #1.

Mark.

akirby

The Edge is based on the Fusion platform - no reason to think the quality will be a lot worse than the Fusion.

heyjewel

"Ford already stated that the dash material on was going to be changed for Job #1 because it was causing glare"

So they're going to use duller cheap plastic?

Amazing that a company that has been building cars for over 100 years can't predict what materials might cause glare before they spend a ton of money building them that way.

Also, you'd think a company that has lost it's [non-permissible content removed] on lawsuits would NOT release a pair of new vehicles whose brakes aren't much better than draggin your feet out the door, but they did.

Finally, you'd think that a vehicle as important as this one is to a company about to go the way of Studebaker would be overdesigned and overbuilt just to be sure. But nooooooo. In the current Motor Trend, 22 'new' SUVs are tested for their SUVOTY trophy, including the Edge and the Emm Kay Exx. Where do they finish? Why dead last of course. Behind the Hyundai and even the Suzuki. Good thing Vespa and Tonka aren't in this market yet, eh?

For those who don't know, I own 2 Lincolns and 2 Fords and would like to see the company succeed. But I'm not going to carry water for fools who can't do it for themselves.

Horrible brakes? Unforgiveable.
Cheap interior? And we thought that was a thing of the past, especially on the Lincoln.
The 'D-L' shifter? Unbelieveable. Are they TRYING to doom this platform to blue hairs and 'passengers with keys' as another poster put it?

To finish, here's a couple of quotes from Motor Trend:
"After driving (the Edge) we're not optimistic about Ford's future." (Go ahead, read that again to get the full effect.) ANd of the Lincoln:
"... a Lincoln should represent more than just an option package above a Ford."

akirby

Why do you insist on ignoring all other positive reviews (including C&D) in favor of a MT review for SUV of the year (the Edge is NOT a SUV and never tried to be) that was done 2 months ago with a pre-pre-production model?

These vehicles aren't meant for enthusiasts. Read the familycar.org review - that's more typical of what the average buyer will think.

heyjewel

I guess for the same reason that you ignore the negative reviews.

But I do agree - these vehicles are not for enthusiasts. Hey, there's an idea for a new Ford ad campaing:

"Drivers NOT wanted."

Oh, I did see a Consumer Reports review of the Fusion. Not bad. Finished ninth.

akirby

Ninth in what test?

The Fusion is more reliable than Camry or Accord V6 models according to CR.

coldcranker

Looking at the several Edge reports out there, the negatives win. There are some positive things about the Edge: Looks good, rides smoothe/quiet. Thats about it. Everything else is so-so or inferior to the competition. Rough competition out there. New Suzuki XL7, CX-7/9, GM's Acadia, Nissan Murano, Ford's own Freestyle, Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot. Personally, I'd pick any one of those over the Edge. The Edge's long braking distances is probably the worst attribute.