Scottsdale, Arizona- As major-league baseball's spring training season wraps up throughout the greater Phoenix mega-plex, Ford Motor Company threw out its best pitch to media members gathered in the Valley of the Sun for a spin around the bases in the all-new, second-generation
2015 Ford Edge.
Edge's first effort came to bat in 2006 with a pinch-hit refresh in 2011. Edge circa 2015 offers two all-new Ecoboost engines and a well-regarded 3.7-liter V-6 carryover from the previous season. The 2015 Edge returns with fun-to-drive dynamics fans applauded in Gen One. Part of Ford's global strategy, Edge is available in multiple markets based on a uniform platform.
The five-passenger Edge didn't create the mid-size, car-based five-door design, but, "helped establish the crossover segment in North America" according to Kevin George, Exterior Designer for Edge. Historically, Edge rates as a segment sales leader, eyeing Nissan's trendy mid-size Murano as a key competitor.
Ford wisely took an, 'if it's not broke, don't fix it too much' approach to the 2015 Edge. While abundant upgrades exist, little discourages past shoppers from considering this current effort with trendy exterior nuances and competitive pricing.
Four trim levels return with differing nomenclatures. Entry SE, mid-level SEL, all-new Titanium and Sport remain on deck in 2015; dropped from the lineup, the Limited trim.
Edge sales in the 2014 calendar year totaled 108,864, down 15 percent from the previous 12-month stint due in no small part to platform changeover. Topping the 2014 best-selling list in the U.S. once again was Ford's F-150 light-duty pickup with a league-best 753,851 units.
Fifty percent of Edge buyers are women, up from Ford's overall batting average of 36 percent women. In addition an enviable 50 percent of Edge buyers are conquest, folks coming over from another automotive brand. Pre nesters along with their more seasoned empty nester counterparts create prime contenders.
While still comfortably ensconced as a mid-size, Edge grows in length by almost four inches and 1.3 inches in height. Added dimensions accommodate three average-sized adults in row two while providing ample headroom overall. Wheelbase (distance between front and rear axle) grows one inch. For all those weekend warriors and garage sailors, cargo room nicely expands. Space behind the second row grows a whopping 7.0 cubic feet for 39.2 cubic feet of space. Fold row two down, and the flat infield swell to 73.4 cubic feet, an increase of 4.5 cubic feet.
Edge pricing starts at $28,995 for an entry SE, unchanged from 2014, but loaded with upgrades including push-button start and electric power assist steering, helping reduce parking effort by 30 percent. A bevy of new options include a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats and inflatable outboard rear safety belts. Production started in February of 2015 at Ford's Oakville assembly plant outside Toronto, Canada with units now reaching Chicagoland Ford dealers.
Big under-hood news includes an all-new, twin-scroll, 2.0-liter, 245 horsepower EcoBoost engine lighter by six pounds than the outgoing version. Edge is the first Ford vehicle in North America featuring this revamped, high-compression slugger. Standard in three of four trims (SE, SEL, Titanium), it's tow rated to scoot 3,500 pounds, a big advantage over the not-tow-rated 2014 counterpart. It's also available in all-wheel drive an important distinction for Midwesterners over the 2014 2.0-liter. Now, all engines come with front or all-wheel drive.
Standard solely in Sport trims: a 2.7-liter, transverse-mounted EcoBoost twin-turbo V-6 delivering 315 horses, a similar structure found in Ford's F-150 pickup. The lone carry over powertrain from the 2014 season is an optional ($495) naturally-aspirated (non-turbo) 3.5-liter V-6 delivering 280. A key reason for this engine's return is its switch-hitting flex-fuel capability. While higher percentage ethanol-based (E-85) blends were slow to catch on in the U.S., the technology continues big-league popularity in South America.
No gas-electric hybrid or plug-in hybrid Edge is currently offered, but this could change as Edge continues based on mid-size Ford Fusion sedan architecture. Fusion currently offers both gas-electric hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants.
All engines mate to a six-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel paddle shifters.
New is an optional camera feed located below the blue oval front grill logo allowing two unique 180-degree perspectives feed through the center multi-function screen. Acoustic windshield glass, reducing exterior noise, now comes standard across model lines as do underbody panels and wheel well liners. Titanium trims include acoustic glass on driver and passenger side windows.
From the front, Edge presents an all-new personality with a claim-shell grille outline butting up against narrow headlight housing. Angled front plates replace thick front-facing tri-bars for a family look similar to full-size Taurus sedans. The stouter hood now sports two vertical character mold strips running the length. Back side highlights; modern cues borrowed from the Fusion sedan. A ribbon of LED lights bordered by black trim traverses side to side.
Ford's optional Park Assist received a tryout out along a narrow Scottsdale side street. Now including perpendicular as well as returning parallel parking assist, the system repurposes radar-sensing technology essential with blind-spot monitoring. As the name implies, the system 'assists' by automatically and precisely turning the steering wheel at designated stops; but never takes over total vehicle command. The human touch remains when braking and while following visual and audio commands.
Intriguing technology, but certain parameters must be met before engaging Park Assist. It's often times simpler just to parallel park slowly and methodically utilizing old-school methods especially with upgraded power steering. However, radar sensing plays a big part with front and rear blind-spot detection, alerting drivers to unseen cross traffic when pulling out from tight spots.
Notable in the 150-mile round-trip trek through twisty mountain roads north of Phoenix was Escape's braking, now more responsive thanks to stiffer brake system calipers. Both the new 2.0 four-cylinder Ecoboost and new 2.7-liter V-6 Ecoboost were sampled. For most suburban Chicago needs, the four cylinder would probably supply more than ample hustle.
The 2.0-liter Ecoboost engine recommends higher 91-octane fuel for optimal output, but accepts regular, 87-octane. Edge's other two engines utilize 87-octane.
Inside, more premium-plated parts and additional stitching adorn side doors. A vertical divider found in previous side windows has retired, leading to a cleaner glass field. The forward end of the arm rest now angles up 45 degrees to better reach power window and lock controls. The standard backup rear camera streams video highlights through a 4.2-inch center screen in SE and SEL trims, growing in stature to eight inches in Sport and Titanium trims. The large auto/ventilation square surface below includes a large center twist dial for volume, flanked by seek and tune toggle switch/buttons. Temperature and fan speed toggles adorn the bottom with air condition and optional heated seat buttons strategically placed. The electronic parking brake button is left of the floor-mounted transmission shifter.
While Ford's newly-appointed mid-size crossover commendably executed off-season changes, it's time to climb aboard the proverbial bandwagon. If "Back to the Future" prognosticators Doc Brown and Marty McFly say it's so, then Cubs Nation has an Edge this year in claiming a long-overdue World Series title. Great Scot!
2015 Edge AWD Sport
Price as tested: $46,375
Engine: 2.7 Ecoboost V-6
Horsepower: 315
Fuel economy: 17 city/24 highway
Overall length: 188.1 inches
Overall height: 68.6 inches
Overall width: 85.8 inches
Wheelbase: 112.2 inches
Curb weight: 4,060 pounds
Powertrain warranty: Five years/ 60,000 miles
Built: Oakville, Ontario Canada