2015 Ford Edge Sport [w/video]

The Edge is easy to overlook, especially in Ford's prolific stable of sport utility vehicles. But thanks to new engines, upscale sheet metal and fresh technologies, the Edge has renewed swagger for 2015.

Outfitted in the Sport trim, which included the feisty 315-horsepower EcoBoost V6, a stiffer suspension, and unique fascias, my Edge was loaded, and it was priced accordingly. With options, including all-wheel drive, it cost $46,180, which is pretty lofty for a Ford Edge. But, you get a lot of stuff here – features like leather-accented seats, a lane-departure warning system, and active park assist – that make your life more comfortable and safer.

It's been a while since I've driven an Edge. And unless you own one, it's probably been a while since you've even thought about an Edge. Now there's good reason to take another look.

Driving Notes

• I really liked the interior. It was simple, clean, and done up in black. It served as a fitting backdrop for the colorful gauges and the Sync with MyFord Touch infotainment system. The interior designers added silver plastic trim and contrasting white stitching on the center console and door inserts to break up the darkness. Leather was used for the steering wheel wrap, door inserts, and console cover, and it conveyed a premium feel.
• The leather-trimmed seats with suede inserts were comfortable. They looked elegant and felt pleasing. The heating and cooling features were useful for springtime driving and its varied temperatures. The vista sunroof was spectacular. It let in plenty of sunlight and opened long and wide like a retractable stadium roof. Even closed, it still offered a panoramic view of the sky for my passengers, especially those in the second row.
• Another note on the interior: I had an excellent driving position and an elevated view of the road. When rain began to fall – which has a way of frazzling motorists – I turned up Cat Stevens and motored along blithely. My second-row passengers were also comfy. One remarked on the ample leg- and headroom, and everyone liked the ambient lighting. The cargo area, which offered 39.2 cubic feet of space behind the second row (7 cubic feet more than the previous version), was more than capable for a weekend grocery run.
• I'll admit, I'm a Luddite when it comes to infotainment systems, and Sync with MyFord Touch has a mixed reputation. Historically, it's been confusing and hasn't always worked as advertised. I had no trouble pairing my phone and making and receiving calls with the Bluetooth function. The touchscreen worked well, and it's easy to toggle through the audio options. The system also lets you configure the gauges on the sides of the instrument cluster, and I quickly found my preferred setting with a digital speedometer and small fuel gauge.
• A couple of safety features stood out to me. The lane-departure warning was aggressive, though you can calibrate it to your taste. I noticed it when I was tackling curves on the expressway. At first I found the system intrusive. Then I understood what was happening and appreciated it as the feature alerted me when I strayed and then nudged me back into the center of the lane. Also, I liked the automatic high-beam headlights, which came on and off at the appropriate times when I was driving home on a mostly deserted suburban road just after dark.
• The exterior design stood out. It just looked so much more substantial than the previous model. The tall sides were lined with noticeable creases, and they gave the Edge a more mature, premium look in line with the Fusion. This Sport model had a blacked-out grille and dark 20-inch wheels. The LED wraparound taillights and angled HID headlights were snazzy. I love how the pentagon-shaped daytime running lamps illuminated – I mean they really lit up – when I triggered the remote start. You could see this thing from about 30-yards away, and it was impressive.
• The 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 had plenty of pop. With 315 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, there's no trouble taking off from stoplights and picking off slower moving traffic on the expressway. While the power is nice, you'll notice the torque, which is served up in maximum force at just 2,750 rpm. It pulls your head back and you feel it in the backs of the seats.
• The six-speed automatic transmission is a good, understated partner to the V6. It shifts smoothly and evenly. It downshifts appropriately during acceleration, and you forget about it when you're just cruising. I'd rather have this nonintrusive gearbox than some of the clunky double-clutch or nine-speed units out there.
• This model had a "sport-tuned" suspension. I noticed a few more potholes and road crinkles than I might have in a comparable crossover, but the overall driving dynamics were fine. I felt the power-assisted, four-wheel-disc antilock brakes were a bit too grabby at first, but as the weekend progressed I got used to them.
• The electric-power-assisted steering also felt odd to me at first. Like the brakes, I got used to the system, but it still conveyed an artificial sensation. It was light, and then sometimes there was more response than I wanted. Steering is very subjective, and most consumers won't notice this at all.

So yes, the 2015 Edge is a much better vehicle than its aging predecessor. The new model is dressed up and powered up, and it gives Ford renewed strength in a fiercely competitive segment. It will probably always be a little overshadowed, even among Ford's SUVs, but if you're looking for a midsize crossover, don't make the mistake of overlooking the Edge.