Topic: CD Article: 2007 Ford Edge

[Autos_Editor]

First Drive:

Based on the Mazda6 unit body platform, the new five-passenger Ford Edge is similar in size to the Nissan Murano, says Senior Editor, Paul Williams.  A 230-hp 3.5-litre V6 and six-speed automatic transmission are standard, and both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models are offered.  "It's a very appealing vehicle that offers style, power, practicality and fuel economy," says Williams, but driving dynamics "are not particularly performance-oriented like the Mazda CX-7," he says. Prices start at $32,999.     More...

[Loudpedal]

Not bad.  I think Ford will sell a truckload of these.  I do think however, that it has distinctive looks (at least from the pictures).  Now, the question is will the looks stand up over time after the masses buy this vehicle and legions of Edge's hit the rental car circuit. 

I think most impressive are the standard features, particularly those safety features.  I like the stand alone options and I think they are priced reasonable.  I like the availability of standalone AWD, mooroof, backup sensors and the tow option.     

Would I take the Edge over a RAV?  Hard to say, but at least Ford will now get to see my face in a dealer, and that's a start.   

[mdxtasy]

Aside from the instrument dials, this car looks really good.  I think this will also be quite a winner on the sales charts.  Looks are fantastic, and the content looks high. 

[Railton]

I've seen both the Edge and MKX up close and personel and am impressed. 
I forsee Escape sales nosediving even though it's slightly more expensive.
Comparted to the Mazda line up it's not as sporting in nature as a CX-7 but has good power and equally good 6 sp auto. Interesting to see how it will do next to Mazda CX-9.
Railton

[Allen]

Not bad looking  But that front grill that Ford seems to be stuck on these day dosen't help its looks IMO

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Think it looks good and will sell well - as the Fusion has shown people will buy Ford product if done right.

But it's in a mirky area for the Cdn market. It's priced well against larger competitors like Murano/Highlander which helps, but isn't as fuel efficient or inexpensive as the 4-banger import SUVs like RAV4 or the V6 Santa Fe. It's not sporty like the CX-7 but appeals to a wider audience with style which is good. It's RX 300 right-sized for couples and females to find appealing, but not quite big enough for the new crop of crossovers like CX-9, Veracruz, Acadia/Outlook. So it's smack dab in between right where SUV sales have plunged in the last year. Again, think it'll do well, mostly because, well, it's sort of unique where it sits in the market IMO - a Murano-ish vehicle for thousands less.

[UDB]

Too way expensive.   In the long way, these cross-overs are supposed to replace minivan.  For the last past years, we used to see minivan FWD priced around 20000K$ for base model.   Now they asking 33000$ for a FWD version    The problem is not only at Ford but also GM with their Acadia, Outlook, etc   IMO, the FWD versions for these cross-overs should start around 26-27000$.

Remember the first of the Pacifica.  They were asking for 45000$ for that!!!!!   A year later, it was selling for 30000$ as a base price and sales are still struggling.

[Arthur Dent]

Certainly looks decent enough but the price tag that cheap. I suspect Ford will find it hard to ask for a premium price. Probably sell a pile in the US though where they tend to buy more expensive cars.

[The Mighty Duck]

The Murano is one of the best looking SUVs on the road.  This is a far cry from that...  ugh.

Still, I expect they'll sell.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Too way expensive.   In the long way, these cross-overs are supposed to replace minivan.  For the last past years, we used to see minivan FWD priced around 20000K$ for base model.   Now they asking 33000$ for a FWD version    The problem is not only at Ford but also GM with their Acadia, Outlook, etc   IMO, the FWD versions for these cross-overs should start around 26-27000$.

Yeah, I have no idea how the domestics think these things will replace minivans. Sure, a small percentage of buyers may convert, but the only thing that can replace an aging minivan is a minivan.

[Benhaze]

Think it looks good and will sell well - as the Fusion has shown people will buy Ford product if done right.

But it's in a mirky area for the Cdn market. It's priced well against larger competitors like Murano/Highlander which helps, but isn't as fuel efficient or inexpensive as the 4-banger import SUVs like RAV4 or the V6 Santa Fe. It's not sporty like the CX-7 but appeals to a wider audience with style which is good. It's RX 300 right-sized for couples and females to find appealing, but not quite big enough for the new crop of crossovers like CX-9, Veracruz, Acadia/Outlook. So it's smack dab in between right where SUV sales have plunged in the last year. Again, think it'll do well, mostly because, well, it's sort of unique where it sits in the market IMO - a Murano-ish vehicle for thousands less.

I think it will actually do better in Canada than in the US just because of its size being a little smaller than the new breed about to hit the market. The new GMs are so heavy real world fuel economy will likely suffer significantly.

I like the exterior design a lot except for the front; it is a little too Mad Max for me. Unfortunately, Ford interpretation of  "Bold Design" is a large (and tacky) fake chrome grill... Too bad. I'm not a huge fan of the instrument panel either, kinda space ship looking design.

That said, its look and size are more appealing to me than the RAV4 is and as Loudpedal stated, this may get me to visit a Ford dealer when the better half is ready to migrate from a car to a SUV. I really want to learn more about the AWD system though; Ford has stated they were working on its own reactive FWD biased version as opposed to using the Volvo Haldex variation; and that makes me very skeptical about the article statement the AWD was so much better in the slalom test. Ford AWD systems have never been... anything exceptional IMO.

At the end, my real hope is for the Mazda CX-9 to look better, be sportier and a better rounded product though at a higher price... But the Edge is a very welcome new vehicle and should help Ford do considerably better financially.  And hey, maybe it will turn out to be the Ford version of the K-Car and save the company...

[Cord]

In the long way, these cross-overs are supposed to replace minivan.

I don't think anyone from Ford or, anyone else in the know, has said that a 5-seat Edge is intended to replace a 7 or 8 seat minivan. Ford may be in the process of phasing out its current minivan but other products like the Fairlane are in the pipeline to take the minivan's place.

[UDB]

In the long way, these cross-overs are supposed to replace minivan.

I don't think anyone from Ford or, anyone else in the know, has said that a 5-seat Edge is intended to replace a 7 or 8 seat minivan. Ford may be in the process of phasing out its current minivan but other products like the Fairlane are in the pipeline to take the minivan's place.

Minivan sales are going down since few years espeicially in the US.  As you know automobile has cycle.   At one time, big coupe, big wagon were popular in the 80's then the minivan came in.  IMO, the minivan cycle is near the end as long as the Midsize SUV (Explorer, Envoy).   Cross-over still take over the next years.  I know it's bizarre to say because minivan offer more space for 7 passagers than an a cross-over but cross-overs is just another cycle (trend or fashion) in the automobile era.

I think the Fairlane is suppose to replace the actual Freestyle.

[nefcanuck]

Given the fact that the Freestar is being killed, this leaves the Edge to carry the non truck multi-people mover title until Ford can come up with something to replace it.

At $33K CDN for an admittedly well equppied base model, I can hear the ghostly echos of the Pacifica intriduction ringing in my ears though.  I'd certainly be willing to look at it if I were in the market for something of that nature but the price of admission is a tad steep.

With Ford deciding to kill the Focus wagon with the redesign coming for MY '08, they have only the Escape and the Edge, not good enough and it'll show on Ford's bottom line IMO.

NefCanuck

[MKII]

Don't forget about the Freestyle

[nefcanuck]

Don't forget about the Freestyle

Oops my bad  but given how Ford has apparently forgotten about it as well... can you blame me?

NefCanuck

[MKII]

Don't forget about the Freestyle

Oops my bad  but given how Ford has apparently forgotten about it as well... can you blame me?

NefCanuck

Due MY2008 http://www.thecarconnection.com/images/gallery/10708_LVZENSMMMGROG.jpg

[Bullet Blue]

Don't forget about the Freestyle

Oops my bad  but given how Ford has apparently forgotten about it as well... can you blame me?

NefCanuck

Due MY2008 http://www.thecarconnection.com/images/gallery/10708_LVZENSMMMGROG.jpg

Any major changes on the 2008 Freestyle? Are they still gonna stick with the CVT?

[Arthur Dent]

The Freestyle is crap and IMO irrelavent - I'm suprised they sold any (I suspect they were deeply discounted)

[Rupert]

I went to an auction when we were disposing of my wifes mother's things and a friend had bought an armoir there expecting to put it in one of this type of vehicle. Youve guessed it...no way. We were in our standard dodge minivan and only use the front seats when we dont need more and it ate the armoir up and we were able to deliver it for our friend. There is no way that any of these vehicles will replace the minivan. I have not looked at the weight but they probably weigh more and are in no respect as innovative and usefull. I agree the price is way too high and it will only sell on style and swank. Why you need as large a tachometer as the speedo on an automatic truck, or any vehicle, contiues to baffle me. You need to know your speed but you have absolutely no need for rpm data. You can't do anything with it anyway. I know I am fighting a loosing battle. Stylists and spinners seem to rule.