Consumer Road Test: The 2011 Ford Edge

The Ford Edge midsize family SUV was thoroughly overhauled for the 2011 model year and for starters it can easily be said that this kiddie hauler is now a real looker. The interior also was given the full mommy makeover treatment with a high tech electronic gauge display and the addition of Ford's controversial MyFordTouch system.

My SEL model was equipped with that system which adversely affected Ford's quality rankings recently and included the newly updated Sync system that works much better in models like the Flex, Fusion and Taurus. While the connectivity and voice activation functionality of the system is still top notch, controlling song selection functions via the USB/iPod integration plug-in is less straightforward via the center mounted touch screen.

More specifically, the arrow for scrolling through song playlists on your iPod is so small that it is hard to hit accurately as you are driving. A small niggle but one that could seriously irk you over time. The MyFordTouch system has two individual LCD electronic pods where you can display navigation, phone, audio functions or even program it to display an electronic tachometer. Unfortunately, this tachometer was about as realistic as something you would fine in a 1980s arcade driving game. Either fit a real tachometer or one that looks like one, Ford. Please.

Otherwise the buttons on the dash for adjusting the climate controls were comically small as if they were designed for the fingers of leprechauns. Many Americans have big hands and fat fingers so you would think an SUV designed for our market would reflect that. Otherwise, however, the steering wheel mounted controls proved to be the best way to control all functions in the Edge.

Okay, that's enough of the bad news because there is still plenty to like about the 2011 Ford Edge. The six-speed automatic is a truly smooth operator and the standard 3.5 liter V6 with 285 horsepower/253 lb. feet of torque offers up plenty of passing power in all driving situations. EPA fuel economy estimates are 19 city/27 highway and I averaged 21 miles per gallon which is impressive for a vehicle of this size.

The steering does feel a tad bit wooden but the reaction to inputs is very linear and there is no slop when you are driving straight like you get in a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. And compared to the Toyota Highlander with its Novocain numb steering rack there is really little to fault with the Ford's steering. To put if frankly, the Edge still drives very much like an SUV which is mean thrills are kept to a minimum. The only rival I have found to be slightly more entertaining to drive is the Kia Sorento V6.

The Edge does have a very smooth and absorptive ride with wind and tire roar kept down to a minimum at all times. The engine is also very quiet on the motorway so this would make a very capable road trip car. There is plenty of rear seat legroom for those over six feet tall and the cargo volume behind the third row is a commendable 32.4 cubic feet. Fold down the rear seats via the remote folding button in the cargo hold (very convenient) and that figure rises to 68.9 cubic feet.

Front seat passengers are also treated to an open and airy view of the road ahead. There are plenty of cubby holes and a gigantic center console for all of your junk. My tester was not equipped with the optional leather seats which do really help dress up the interior better than the standard cloth seats. The SEL starts at $30,650 but I would recommend you just stump for the $34,650 Limited version as it comes with all the features you really want as standard.

The 2011 Ford Edge is a sexy looking family SUV that is just let down by a few niggling bugs in its very high tech MyFordTouch system and I have little doubt that the Blue Oval will have it sorted out sooner rather than later. If you live with the Edge long enough, however, you will no doubt be able to master all of the intricacies of the new technology but expect it to take some adjustment.

One last caveat'"when I was listening to the latest Lady Gaga CD album through my iPod the center mounted screen displayed a huge image of her intensely scary "Born This Way" album cover. Many times I glanced down at the screen and got such a fright that I veered into the next lane. So either Lady Gaga needs to stop looking so scary or Ford needs to shrink the album cover on the screen so they can make the scrolling arrow larger.

Source: Ford Motor Company