Entered CNET Catalog: 10/19/2006
SKU: CARFORDEDGESEL
Manufacturer: Ford Motor
Product summary
The good: The 2007 Ford Edge's available navigation system is easy to use. The stereo plays MP3 CDs and includes an audio jack; selecting music from the stereo interface is easy. The six-speed automatic transmission finds the right gear and shifts smoothly.
The bad: The engine makes a tremendous whine when pushed, and it's not particularly quick. Bluetooth isn't available.
The bottom line: With its well-designed interior and infotainment electronics, the 2007 Ford Edge makes for a good family cruiser--as long as the driver doesn't harbor hot-rod aspirations.
CNET editors' review
- Editors' Rating: 7.3
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 10/25/2006
2007 Ford Edge
The Ford Edge is marketed as a crossover car, combining the cargo space and visibility of an SUV with the smooth ride and fuel economy of a sedan. It shares a platform with the 2007 Mazda CX-7--evident from the cars' similar body style--and is also the source of Ford's newfound quality touches. This quality can be felt in the Edge's comfortable leather seats, in its hushed cabin, and with its smoothly shifting, six-speed automatic transmission, which seems to always hit the right gear for the driving conditions.
Not fancy, but functional
Our test car was fully loaded with a navigation system; an in-dash, six-CD changer; and a ceiling-mounted DVD player for the rear seats. A touch-screen LCD acts as the interface for these systems and includes function buttons along its sides. The console is not particularly fancy--there is no multifunction knob, such as with BMW's iDrive--but it gets the job done. The LCD is a little small and can get quickly cluttered with the settings screens and their many options. But we still found it easy to select audio sources and navigation functions. The main interface is supplemented by steering wheel buttons that not only control the stereo and cruise control, but also set temperature and fan speed--a nice addition.
We like the navigation system in the Ford Edge. Setting even complex routes is intuitive, as the system lets any entered destination be set as a waypoint or as a final destination. A split-screen view shows the car's current position on the left side and route guidance on the right. The map has good resolution, and it's easy to read individual street names. Our two gripes with the system have to do with the points-of-interest (POI) database and route guidance. The POI database doesn't include all retail stores, although, as a somewhat esoteric choice, it does include bookstores in its shopping category. (Perhaps Ford is appealing to a more literate buyer with the Edge?) We also couldn't turn off or even adjust the volume of voice prompts, once route guidance was set. On the positive side, the system has text-to-speech capabilities, so voice prompts can actually pronounce the names of streets.
The Line In source comes from the auxiliary audio jack, a standard component on the Edge. The jack is hidden in the center console, right next to a 12-volt power point. The console also has a convenient opening to run a cable out to an iPod or MP3 player, and it's deep enough to fit a laptop.
Our review car came with an optional DVD rear-seat entertainment system mounted on the ceiling. For an Edge equipped with the panoramic sunroof option, DVD screens can be mounted in the back of the front-seat head rests. Bluetooth cell phone integration, however, is not available on the Edge.
Six-speed hero
The six-speed automatic is the best thing about the power train in the Ford Edge. It gives the car a good array of options to get the best revolutions per minute for the car speed. Similar to the Mazda CX-7, the Ford Edge is programmed for efficiency, with upshifts happening at a fairly low engine speed. Unlike the CX-7, however, the Edge doesn't have a manual gear selection mode, instead going with a Drive and a Low mode. There is also a button on the side of the shifter which engages a Hill mode. The button is poorly placed, as it can't be easily reached with a natural grip on the shifter. And under bright conditions, it's very difficult to see if the indicator light is on.
With a curb weight of 4,282 pounds for the all-wheel-drive Edge, Ford's 3.5-liter V-6 engine has its work cut out. And it doesn't always measure up. Even with 265 horsepower, the engine can't move the car very fast from a stop, and the whine it makes when the pedal is held down is almost scary.
The EPA rates the Edge for 17mpg in the city and 24mpg on the highway, which is reasonable for this size of vehicle. Although our test period wasn't long enough to publish an observed fuel economy, we don't expect it to show as much variation as the Mazda CX-7, as the Edge's V-6 engine should be more consistent than the CX-7's turbo engine.
Ford brags that safety is not optional on the Edge, and the list of standard safety equipment is lengthy. It starts with full airbag coverage: the driver and front passenger are protected with front and side airbags, while side curtain airbags cover the whole cabin. Antilock brakes are also standard, as is Ford's AdvanceTrac stability control, which uses sensors to determine if the car is about to roll over or spin out, applying brakes and reducing engine power to compensate.
A sonar-based warning system gave us adequate warning before backing into solid objects. A reverse camera isn't available, however--a surprising omission given the presence of the LCD.
The base front-wheel drive 2007 Ford Edge retails for $25,995. Our all-wheel-drive SEL version started at $31,395, with options raising the price to $36,770.
We liked the Edge's well-designed interior space and were generally happy with its dashboard electronics, although we would have liked a Bluetooth option. In these regards, the Edge compares favorably with the Mazda CX-7 and the Subaru B9 Tribeca. But the Edge isn't as quick as the Tribeca and generally feels like a much heavier vehicle.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
User Rating: 
7/10
7.7 is a true rating: just completed RT NYC to Buffalo
Pros: 0 to 60 in a blink; comfortable seats; non-detectable cruise control; plenty of storage
Cons: It is a tank! A boat! A barge! 20 mpg highway!
Our hardest job was classifying the thing--truck, boat, ark, barge; then figuring out how to work the map and dome lights that just would not turn off once the motor was off. Did Enterprise supply a manual? Nah. So we wrote one for them. We got the solution by calling our brother in Andover MA who located the number for a wonderful Ford dealer (Feduke) still open in Binghamton at 7 pm on a Thursday, who gave us step-by-step instructions for everything we needed. There is an unlabeled light control dial on the lower left dash, that solves the lighting problem. Who knew?
For big adults with a family that does not require stadium seating in the rear; for people traveling cross country with a lot of stuff and enough money for 20 mpg fillups; for those who want 6-cylinder responsiveness in an easy-to-drive car, for those with $30K in their pockets... it was a fine drive.
For Forester owners who drive stick, and love the intimacy of relating to an engine, rather than being in an amusement park ride with two pedals, "on" and "off"... who do mostly city driving... owning a vehicle like this, and finding a spot on a regular basis to parallel park it, would be absurd.
To each, her own.
User Rating: 
10/10
Very Good; Editor review slightly unfair
Pros: Roomy, Smooth Ride
Cons: Can be awkward at times; hood seems short
That being said, it has a very smooth ride, and is very comfortable. The only thing i find awkward is that the hood is pretty short for a car of this size.
User Rating: 
9/10
Superb onroad capability
Pros: Sheer driving pleasure
Cons: wheel alignment and plastic moulded interiors
I have been on the FJ CRuiser and think its great for off road but not for city driving pleasure at all and less spacious than the edge. Also the interior moulding smell as of cheap rubber.
User Rating: 
6/10
average to good
Pros: comfortable-stylish
Cons: very poor gas mileage-difficult instrumentation view-side view mirrors misplaced
User Rating: 9/10
Excellent vehicle and great value
Pros: Overall design; Huge Moon roof, quiet ride, build quality
Cons: Shiny materials on dash can reflect on windshield. Minor issue to me.
User Rating: 9/10
Well Made and Sleek
Pros: Sleek look, smooth ride, very roomy, well-made.
Cons: Gas milage could be better.
User Rating: 
4/10
This car has serious electronic issues
Pros: The styling is great.
Cons: The ESP is ************** the air conditioning does not cool well. The car is at the dealer ship for the third time. Less than 1.5k. .
User Rating: 7/10
2007 Ford Edge
Pros: fit and finish, seat comfort,
Cons: handling, fuel economy
On a recent trip to Philadelphia PA (700 roundtrip miles), omfort was excellent,engine power more than adequate and though many consider the motor whine alarming, I am thinking maybe Ford made it that way for "effect". The engine did not feel as it
was strained when pushing the pedal all the
way down. I would rate the drivetrain excellent.
Handling however felt mushy and more or less
gave me the impression the car is disconnected from the road. I did not care for this much and never got used to it.
Fuel economy was abyssmal at best barely
breaking 21 mpg overall on this trip which
was 99% highway with AC on.
Fit and finish are excellent, the doors close
with ease and confidence. The interior trim
is solid and does not seem cheap or flimsy
as I have seen in other CUV's of Japanese
and American manufacture. I give the Edge
a solid B+ when all said and done.
User Rating: 7/10
A nice ride, but not a vehicle that I'd buy
Pros: Roomy and comfortable inside
Cons: Too much sheet metal outside. The seat belts are an insult.
User Rating: 9/10
Very Happy but..
Pros: Super smooth ride; Very comfy; Saftery features standard
Cons: Headrests too forward; Not adjustable..
User Rating: 9/10
Great car!!
Pros: quiet ride, smooth and comfortable ride, great sunroof, audiophile radio the BEST, comfortble seating
Cons: wish I had a temp guide, homelink, auto up windows!
User Rating: 9/10
The most fun ive had in a suv in years!!!
Pros: roomy,,great ride ,,,great acceleration,,,great look
Cons: nothing yet
User Rating: 4/10
Good handling gas guzzler
Pros: Smooth transmission; roomy interior; secure and stable on curves
Cons: Rear view is restricted; horrible gas mileage
My v8 540i burns less gas than this car. I drove down to LA over a weekend. I used 4 tank full of gas (19 gal capacity) for this 800 m trip (WOW that was 10.5 mpg). My v8 BMW on the otherhand can do the same trip with 3 tanks of gas (13.3 mpg).
This aside, the car was really smooth. The gear was smooth and the acceleration was also good. The car interior is thoughtfully designed and has plenty of room. The material is also pretty sturdy (My BMW coffee holder is a lot more flimsy and I have replaced that thrice already in the 4 years that I have owned it). Cornering in this car is also pretty good and has a very stable feel.
Overall it makes a great rental car or one to lease over a 2/3 year time frame.
User Rating: 
5/10
Disappointing
Pros: Nice styling; nice interior
Cons: Unresponsive engine; why no handles above seats? Why Who no indication of drive status on the dashboard? Why no locked gas cover? Not especially attractive stuff.. Door shutting seem tinny, frankly.
User Rating: 10/10
Best CUV on the market
Pros: Quietness, ride, interior space, great exterior styling and acceleration.
Cons: Bluetooth only available as a dealer accessory this year
User Rating: 4/10
looks good
Pros: smooth,good style,awd works good,sounds great
Cons: not for a family person
User Rating: 10/10
Excellent choice
Pros: Roomy Cabin, quiet interior, tons of standard safety equipment
Cons: None yet- should have a cargo cover and cargo netting
User Rating: 7/10
Nice but...
Pros: Nice looking
Cons: No tiptronic
User Rating: 10/10
I love this vehicle!!!
Pros: Panoramic Vista Roof; Navigation System
Cons: Have not found any yet
Dr. Castleberry
User Rating: 9/10
Great looks and features at a decent price and the awesome VISTA ROOF!!
Pros: Loads of features, reasonable price
Cons: Fuel mileage could be better, no bluetooth
And, don't forget the AWESOME Vista Roof!!
Note - for those of you considering the Mazda equivalent CX-7 ... if you're over 6 feet tall, you're out of luck. I'm 6' 2" and I couldn't even sit in the drivers seat!
User Rating: 9/10
Great style, great value, great features
Pros: no wood trim
Cons: smooth 6 speed auto, all safety features standard, fun to drive
User Rating: 5/10
Not even close yet, but getting better.
Pros: Styling, Options, Navigation, Price
Cons: Ford, Interior, Lack of Bluetooth, Noisy
User Rating: 9/10
Comments on Editor's review
Pros: Editor's review was fair
Cons: Didn't look in owner's guide
