The 2011 Ford Edge has been heavily revised. The Edge Sport model drops the chrome in favor of blackout trim and now gets 22-inch wheels as standard equipment. Meanwhile, the Edge Sport receives an exclusive 3.7-liter engine that kicks out 305 hp and 280 pound-feet of torque. The 2011 Ford Edge is now a solid pick for a midsize five-passenger crossover, especially if you're fond of its styling and technological features.
The 2011 Ford Edge crossover is available in SE, SEL, Limited and Sport trim levels.The SEL gains 18-inch wheels, automatic headlights, rear parking sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, upgraded cloth upholstery, a six-way power driver seat, satellite radio and a trunk-mounted second-row folding seat release.
The top-shelf Limited adds ambient lighting, leather seating, a 10-way power driver seat with memory settings, a power front passenger seat, heated front seats, the MyFord Touch interface, Ford Sync, two USB inputs, a rearview camera and a premium 12-speaker Sony audio system with HD radio. The Ford Edge SE, SEL and Limited come with a 3.5-liter V6 that generates 285 hp and 253 lb-ft of torque. All trim levels come standard with front-wheel drive, and all but the SE can be equipped with all-wheel drive.
The Edge Sport has an 18/25/20 mpg rating with front-drive and 17/23/19 mpg with AWD.The programmable Ford MyKey system, which can help make the Edge safer for teen drivers, also comes standard. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests, the Edge scored the highest possible rating of "Good" in both frontal-offset and side-impact testing. In Edmunds brake testing, an all-wheel-drive Ford Edge Sport stopped from 60 mph in a respectable 121 feet.
Ford says the new Edge will have a quieter interior than the more upscale Lexus RX350, Audi Q5 and Acura MDX models.Now, Ford has made significant changes to the outgoing model's 3.5-liter V6 for increased power and efficiency, added a 3.7-liter V6 for the Edge Sport and added an optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder which will make it's North American debut in the Edge.
For the first time the Edge Sport will enjoy an engine worthy of its name. Like the new 3.5-liter V6 in the base and Limited Edge models, the 3.7-liter V6 will be mounted to a six-speed automatic transmission, but unlike the standard Edge, the Sport gains class-exclusive paddle activation of the SelectShift transmission. Arguably the most important engine change for the Edge line will be the new 2.0-liter I4 EcoBoost engine -- raising fuel economy by 30 percent over the original powertrain found in the Edge at launch. The Edge SEL and Limited now feature standard 18-inch wheels and the Edge Sport gains 22-inch wheels -- also standard.
Changes include steel pistons, larger rear rotors, among other changes. The new Edge debuts Ford's newest infotainment driver interface system, known as MyFord. Ford's MyKey and Easy Fuel Capless fuel-filler systems are also present for the new Edge.
Ford pioneered new territory in 2006 when it introduced the Edge, a racy two-row crossover. Customers responded by sending the Edge to the top of the crossover segment, where it has tallied some 400,000 sales. Ford's goal for 2011: Make the Edge drive like it looks.
The Edge now relies primarily on a more powerful and efficient 285-hp 3.5-liter V-6. Backed by a six-speed automatic transmission, the V6 achieves EPA ratings of 19 mpg city / 27 mpg highway in front-wheel-drive form. Not coincidentally, Ford conducts consumer events in conjunction with Best Buy, helping show customers how to integrate their phones into Ford's Sync hands-free system.
There are fixes to the Edge's fundamental hardware too. The old Edge had a vague, sloppy feeling to its steering, a problem Ford has corrected by upgrading to a steering rack with reduced internal friction. Additionally, according to vehicle engineering manager Rich Kreder, testing showed the Edge's steering was uncommonly sensitive to the valving of the rear shocks, so Ford tuned the rear shocks' low-speed damping to improve the steering response.
Edge owners complained bitterly about the outgoing model's mushy, confidence-sapping brake pedal. Inside, however, the Edge was given a complete overhaul.
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