Most crossover SUVs fall into one of two categories: You’ve got your two-row subcompact and compact crossovers, and then the three-row large SUVs best suited for family duty.
However, there are a few midsize models that slot between the compact and large crossovers. These offer superior rear-seat accommodations compared to a compact crossover but without the large footprint of one of the big guys. Of these, the 2017 Ford Edge is a great choice if you want something modern, fuel-efficient and comfortable.
It also is one of the most family-friendly two-row midsize SUVs, thanks in part to its excellent crash test ratings, safety features, and expansive interior. In fact, the Edge is the winner of the “2017 Best Two-Row SUV for Families” award.
But when you are out on your own, believe me, you will see how the 2017 Edge offers real sporty handling. And the Edge offers more engine options that allow you to find the right powertrain to match your needs.
I got to test the all-wheel-drive Sport, the fastest and sportiest model in the Edge lineup. Don’t be fooled by the fact that its engine displaces 2.7 liters instead of the 3.5 liters of the Edge’s optional V6. The Sport’s V6 engine has twin turbochargers, a 315-horsepower rating, and faster acceleration.
So if you want a boost over the base engine, spirited drivers will want to step up to the Edge Sport instead. I should add that the AWD definitely gives you extra traction for Miami’s slick surfaces.
Safety-wise, the Edge is a very responsible choice. The NHTSA gave the 2017 Edge a five-star overall safety score. A full array of top-of-the-line driver assistance features is available in the 2017 Edge, starting with its unique 180-degree front camera.
Outside, there’s been little change from the 2015 model year when Ford introduced its fully redesigned new Edge.
But inside, the Ford Edge has a generally classy appeal. The Sync 3 infotainment system is great in its simplicity, its touchscreen response, and its intuitive nature, although I had a problem with the two USB ports. They are hidden in a compartment and are awkward to reach. Still, the 2017 Edge has a full menu of standard and available technology to satisfy your party.
The soft-touch points were all in the right spots, though, making elbows and fingertips happy, and the cavernous pockets and compartments scattered throughout offer plenty of stowage.
Because of its long, wide, bubble-esque shape, the Edge is able to offer voluminous interior space. At 188.1 inches long, it is 10.0 inches longer than the Escape and an equal amount shorter than the Explorer. With a wheelbase almost identical to the Explorer’s, however, and with no third row to eat room, the Edge has more space for each passenger.
The cargo hold is similarly spacious, with 39 cubic feet behind the back seat and 73 cubes with it folded.
The EPA rates the most powerful variant, the Edge Sport, at 17/24 mpg. Prices for the 2017 Edge start at $28,950 for the base SE trim but the MSRP on my Sporty AWD model, with fees and gobs of optional equipment including remote start, the lane-keeping feature, 21-inch premium painted alum wheels, and a park-assist system, came in just under $47,000.
Grant Miller is the publisher of Miami’s Community Newspapers. He may be contacted by calling 305-662-2277 or via email at grant@communitynewspapers.com.
