I don’t know about you, but I enjoy riding in style and still believe that what we drive says something about who we are and what is important to us. For example, you could actually hear comments such as, “Wow! Look at the lines on that car. That owner has class,” or, “Did they really pick that color of green, and what’s with the smoking exhaust?” Of course, it’s not just the sheet metal that makes a statement. These days it’s also how green or fuel efficient a vehicle is both on the environment and on our pocket books.
Meeting the qualifications of star-studded design, power, and fuel-sipping friendly will limit one to only a handful of choices. With that said, there is a new entry in this category that is making a splash: the 2012 Ford Edge with EcoBoost.
The Ford Edge has enjoyed strong sales numbers since its launch. It is a beautiful mixture of sedan and sport-utility falling into the popular cross-over category. The 2012 Edge is now available with the all-new 2.0-liter turbocharged, four-cylinder EcoBoost engine, delivering an EPA-estimated 30 miles per gallon on the highway.
The 2012 Ford Edge comes in four trim levels: SE ($27,770), SEL ($31,080), Limited ($34,915) and Sport ($37,110). The Edge offers three engine options. Standard on all except the Sport, is Ford’s 3.5-liter V6 that generates 285 horses, and 253 foot pounds of torque while squeezing out MPG numbers of City 19/Hwy 27. The Sport is powered by a 3.7-liter V6 that drums up 305 horses with 280 lbs of torque and logs MPG in at 19 City and 26 Hwy.
The optional 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine ($995) happens in at a respectable 240 horsepower, and here is the twist: it puts out 270 pound-feet of torque – that’s more than the 3.5-liter V6 and it manages MPG stats of 21 City and 30 Hwy. The acceleration of the EcoBoost is smooth and quick. All engines are mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift. These numbers are for the 2-wheel drive models.
The Ford Edge shares a platform structure that underpins the Mazda 6. It is classified as a five-passenger crossover and cousin to the Lincoln MKX. The Edge experienced a facelift in 2011 and remains pretty much unchanged for 2012, with the exception of the new 2.0-liter Ecoboost motor. The Ecoboost models receive special aerodynamics to reduce drag and help improve fuel mileage. The 2012 Edge is equipped with compelling features including real adult interior room, MyFord Touch system and a Vista Roof glass panel.
The interior defines what a crossover vehicle wants to be. There is plenty of room for five occupants to sit high and in comfort with sedan-like styling and features. But wait! With just a few adjustments the Edge is ready to take on large loads of bulky cargo. Buttons in the cargo area quickly drop the back seats down for added load space. The fit, finish, and interior materials are rich to the touch and show like a luxury car.
The Edge comes with two different gauge and switch packages. The SE and SEL are equipped with the more conventional analog instrument cluster and a single 4.2-inch LCD information display. The instrument panel on the Limited and Sport models is much larger with a panel of switches and steering-wheel mounted buttons.
The MyFord Touch system is an evolution of the Ford SYNC voice-activated system. It controls and displays audio settings, climate adjustments, telephone, navigation, and SYNC services. There are some touch buttons below the screen that allow you to manually manipulate climate and audio changes. Ford has experienced a fair amount of complaints with the MyFord Touch stating it is hard to use. They have made a number of improvements; however, still think it has a way to go. The nice part is that you can operate a number of these systems via voice commands.
From the driving prospective, the 2012 Ford Edge behaves more like a sedan than a truck. The tires roll with comfort and cuts corners with confidence. The high sitting position provides a better view of the road and surroundings. The braking system has been upgraded and the feel of the pedal is vastly improved. The optional All-wheel drive is electronically controlled and operates full-time delivering power mostly to the front wheels and elsewhere when the situation requires.
Room for improvement:
- MyFord Touch system keeps improving; however, still needs some work
Cool Features:
- Bold front grille
- Push button start
- Smart Key feature (finally offered on a Ford)
- Ford’s excellent navigation system
The standard safety equipment for the 2012 Ford Edge includes dual-threshold front airbags, front-passenger side impact airbags and head-protection curtains for all outboard seats, Ford’s ActiveTrack stability system with rollover mitigations, antilock brakes, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Option safety features available are: a rearview camera, a blind-spot warning system, and all-wheel drive.
In Summary – The 2012 Ford Edge is a beautifully designed crossover inside and out. The addition of the new 4-cylinder Ecoboost engine adds the cherry on top providing impressive fuel economy from a vehicle of its size and weight. The interior is dressed to impress and packed with available high-tech toys to add to the driving experience. When comparing the features against the comparable European models, the price tag highlights the value of the 2012 Ford Edge.
Specifications
2012 Ford Edge Limited with EcoBoost
Base price: $34,915 as driven: $38,910 (including destination and optional packages)
Engine: 2.0-Liter 4 cylinder turbocharged EcoBoost
Horsepower: 240 @ 5500
Torque: 270 foot pounds @ 3000
Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic with SelectShift
Drive: Front-Wheel Drive
Seating: 5-passenger
Turning circle: 39.3 feet
Cargo space: 68.9 cubic feet
Curb weight: 3,998 pounds
Fuel capacity: 18 gallons
EPA mileage: City 21 / Highway 30
Wheel Base: 111.2 inches
Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles bumper to bumper
Also consider: Acura RDX, Audi Q5, GMC Acadia, Honda Crosstour, Infiniti EX, and Volkswagen Tiguan
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