By Frank S. Washington | SACOBSERVER.COM WIRE SERVICES

SAN FRANCISCO (NNPA) – Ford’s 2007 Edge is the most impressive all-new vehicle to come off the company’s assembly line in decades.

Frank S. Washington

The Ford Edge is a crossover. It is a word and an acronym (CUV for crossover utility vehicle) that consumers are going to hear a lot in the coming years. In a phrase, a crossover is a sport-utility like vehicle that uses a unibody (car) chassis. It has the functionality of a sport-utility combined with the ride and handling of a sedan. And other than Mazda’s CX-7, the 2007 Ford Edge is the slickest, sleekest, eye popping crossover on the streets today.

It’s aggressively styled and features Ford’s new signature three-bar grille, quad head lamps, a high beltline, bulging wheel wells and a raked windshield. Visually, Ford’s Edge is a cross between a sport-utility, a station wagon and a sports car.
The Edge can tow up to 3,500 lbs. and it can tote up to 900 lbs. It has 69.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the 60/40 back seat folded and a very usable 32.1 cubic feet of cargo space with the back seat up. It’s powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that makes 265 horsepower and 250 pounds-feet of torque.

Mated to a six-speed transmission, we found the Edge to be quite capable when it came to handling the hills of Northern California.

Front-wheel-drive is standard while all-wheel-drive is an option. At first, while driving north to Limantour Beach, we thought the Edge was heavy. It took a while to realize that the Edge possessed something that we don’t expect of Fords. That is a road substance that comes from just the right amount of weight.

The Edge tips the scale at 4,073 lbs for the front drive version and 4,282 lbs for the all-wheel drive version.

We really didn’t care for the drive route that was selected. It just didn’t suit the characteristics of the Edge. We were on two lane roads with tight turns and had the front wheel drive model of the Edge. On this type of terrain, it made no sense but to drive the Edge at relatively slow speeds.

It wasn’t until the next morning, when we drove an all-wheel-drive model Edge through the city west to the Pacific Ocean, that we really appreciated its urban road manners. The vehicle was capable of short bursts of speed to get out the way, handling was great when it came to quick lane changes and the Edge’s high seating position gave us a command view of what was going on around us. What’s more, all-wheel drive gave us the grip we needed for nimble maneuvering.

The Edge ran quietly with a minimum of noise intrusion. Fit & finish were good and the interior styling was outstanding. Meant to inspire thoughts of an urban loft, the Edge’s interior was clean, utilitarian and rift with flat surfaces. Instruments were marked clearly, they were very reachable and once we got our hands on them, they were really easy to use.

Equipment was what you’d expect. Ford has finally gone digital and offers satellite radio in the Edge. It also has a jack for an MP3 player. Depending on the model, the Ford Edge can be equipped with either a single in dash CD player or a six disc model.

A navigation system, rear seat entertainment system, puddle lights and heated side view mirrors are also available. But most impressive is that the Edge can be equipped with a glass roof. What’s more, the rear seat entertainment system can be ordered with a glass roof. Rather than the headliner, the screens for the system are located in the back of the front headrests and they are not locked in tandem. Each can play something different.

Base prices for the 2007 Ford Edge start at $25,995 and range to $29,640. The Edge should give Ford a much needed edge in the fast growing crossover market.

Frank S. Washington can be reached at frank@aboutthatcar.com. Or, snail mail him at PO Box 23167, Detroit, 48223.