Topic: First Drive: 2011 Ford Edge

[Autos_Editor]

Refreshed exterior styling, a new interior design, improved entertainment and communications technology, two new engines, and improved ride, handling and braking are the highlights of the 2011 Ford Edge, which is already on sale, reports Grant Yoxon.

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[Ex-airbalancer]

I believe they should have had a hybrid system from the Fusion as an option have lower their cafe numbers
If the centre console the same size as the last one where your leg is always resting on it I will cross this one off the list

[saint_satan]

I think it's an improvement style wise.  Ford is proving the domestics can compete if they turn their minds to product improvement instead of cost cutting...

[tpl]

Tirerack shows no 22" winter tires for an Edge Sport.  But I guess that the 18" wheels will also fit the truck.

FWIW the 22" summer/AS tires they did show were not exactly cheap.

[Ex-airbalancer]

Why does this need 18's 
My pick up has 16's and with the amount of rubber between the road and wheel every road is smooth like glass 

[aknutson]

Why does this need 18's 
My pick up has 16's and with the amount of rubber between the road and wheel every road is smooth like glass 

Surely it doesn't need them, but I suppose people are drawn to the appearance of bigger wheels. It's all fun and games until you have to buy new tires, or heaven forbid two sets for winter AND summer!

[Roy]

REALLY liking the updated front grill on the Sport, especially in black on black.  The rear end though looks pretty much the same?  Not sure on the rationale of offering 2 very similar V6 engines, other than a marketing claim of over 300hp  - you'd think an ecoboost V6 would've been offered on the 'sport'.

Electro-static buttons = very cool.  All it needs is torque-vectoring awd 

[CanuckS2K]

Another great vehicle being put out by Ford.  I like both the exterior and interior changes, and it has an incredible amount of technology features for the price.  Great job Ford!

[new age group]

My CRV has 15" wheels, I used to put 225/60/15 yoko ultra high performance on them and I can corner to the point it almost roll over and the tires still stick on the ground and make no sound.

for highway performance, with the yoko i once hit 180km/hr and is still very stable ... the engine cut off the fuel is the only reason I cannot break thru 200km/h... the tires are good for 240km/h

A set of 4 of those yoko with installation is less than 700 tax included.

Now with two kids I am back on 215-65-15 Hydroedge but it still petty good in driving performance, I see NO reason to put anything bigger than 16" on a SUV, even my is a manual shift 5 speed.

[Spec5]

16s look like sh#$ - I think the 18s would be sufficient. Imagine a 16" rim on a new Dodge Ram for instance. On a larger vehicle you need to make the wheels larger proportionally for it to look right. Thats why people want the bigger wheels - to fill the wheel wells.

[safristi]

...alls wells that ends wells...............22inches nay 20 inches were fer BLING not long ago in the murky past of 2003!!!!.........

 must say the BIG RUBBERS do look good on these tall criss cross ov'rs....and the EDGE is edgy for its type...........and easy on the eyes.....the Flex is more of a s..t..r...e..t..c...h and GuMBY_MOBILE for many...I'm ambivelent (surprise!!! ) wifey laughs at their look..i'd rent one  or both (Flex/Edge) for a buddy golf trip....

[stillriza]

My CRV has 15" wheels, I used to put 225/60/15 yoko ultra high performance on them and I can corner to the point it almost roll over and the tires still stick on the ground and make no sound.

for highway performance, with the yoko i once hit 180km/hr and is still very stable ... the engine cut off the fuel is the only reason I cannot break thru 200km/h... the tires are good for 240km/h

A set of 4 of those yoko with installation is less than 700 tax included.

Now with two kids I am back on 215-65-15 Hydroedge but it still petty good in driving performance, I see NO reason to put anything bigger than 16" on a SUV, even my is a manual shift 5 speed.

i really hope those speeds weren't on a highway..

[Susido]

Those 22" wheels on the Sport mean 91 lbs of un-sprung weight on each corner. Nevermind the cost of tire replacement, just imagine what it's going to cost you to replace a damaged rim from hitting a pothole come spring. And you can forget about towing with those ultra low-profile tires.

And it all comes standard. Rejoice.

[Ex-airbalancer]

16s look like sh#$ - I think the 18s would be sufficient. Imagine a 16" rim on a new Dodge Ram for instance. On a larger vehicle you need to make the wheels larger proportionally for it to look right. Thats why people want the bigger wheels - to fill the wheel wells.

16's look fine on a 2003 gmc extended cab

[royboy]

 Looks like Ford just re-invented the Toyota Venza.

[saint_satan]

I don't get the big wheels either - I think the Cherokee has 15s

[mr.steevo]

uses touch-sensitive “cells”, which create a miniature, undetectable electric field. A finger breaks the field and causes the cell to go on or off like a traditional switch. This means there is no true button to push – a touch of the finger does the job. Illumination along with an audible “beep” confirms activation.

Hi,

Given our winters I expect I'll be making an audible "beep" every time I have to take my gloves off to touch a button-less panel.

What's wrong with large knobs for priority actions like fans and volume?

s.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Looks like Ford just re-invented the Toyota Venza.

Ford was there first.

[Mozeby]

16s look like sh#$ - I think the 18s would be sufficient. Imagine a 16" rim on a new Dodge Ram for instance. On a larger vehicle you need to make the wheels larger proportionally for it to look right. Thats why people want the bigger wheels - to fill the wheel wells.

I read a comparo in Car in Driver a year or so ago with a  Edge sport on 22s and they complained about the ride being way too hard.  Something with a short wheelbase like that has no way to absorb the impacts from front to rear that quickly.  19's or 20's should be the max for this ute.

[bridgecity]

And you can forget about towing with those ultra low-profile tires.

As long as the tires have the proper load rating, lower profile tires are better for towing.  Less lateral movement = improved stability.