Ford Sharpens Its Edge
As our recent compact-ish CUV sales snapshot shows, Ford’s Edge has been losing its edge with consumers. And not to better looking cars with better ideas and more talent, but to its older brand-mate, the Escape. In order to keep up with its country cousin, the Edge has been updated for 2011, to offer a more contemporary corporate look, new powertrains and more. Where once only a 3.5 liter V6 (285 hp) was available, a more powerful 3.7 (305 hp) and the first US application of the EcoBoost 2.0 turbo four-cylinder (no stats released yet) are now optional. Where once the “Sport” trim was barely distinguishable, it now gets 22-inch rims and a blacked-out grille. And where standard models once sported ridiculously cheesy chrome grilles, the new 2011 Ford Edge now has an updated, yet equally giant and cheesy chrome grille. Because you can’t win them all.
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Hopefully, this is an improvement over the 2007 SEL Edge that Consumer Reports trashed. For me, it's a bit too heavy (4500lbs w/3.5V6) to be considered in the same class as the Equinox - closer to a Santa Fe.
Hmmmm.. This is a problem that doesn't take rocket science. My wife has a hunger for these things.. but the analytical side of me doesn't understand the point. Ya got the Escape, the Edge, the Flex and the Exploder. Each.. is within 500lbs of each other. Each has a 6cycl. Each can hold 6 pass, with the Flex and the Exploder being made for 8.. if you drop the back seats.. (and sit on the gas tank.) But honestly.. Whats the reason to buy one.. over the other. And I know.. Toyota has the same issue, only that's more compounded. (if one is on recall.. just dump it for one that isn't. -- HAHA) Its getting to the point that the Escape is as big as the last gen Exploder is (forget the comments about model bloat.) Exploder and Flex will be competing DIRECTLY (if only MARKETING from FORD and or the MEDIA could MAKE A PROPER AND CORRECT designation FOR WHAT A SUV v CUV is.) Clue.. one WAS built on the Ranger frame.. then on the F150 frame = SUV = body on frame. Other was built on the S60-80 frame. = CUV = CAR unibody. And the sport package on these things.. has been what it will always be. A tape and badge package.. only now it has a set of wheels and special paint. -- so no real delineation to what SPORT is. Then again.. a vehicle of this heft.. shouldn't SPORT anything.