Overview. The midsized Ford Edge enters an increasingly popular segment of car-based SUVs without distinguishing itself much from the competition. The Edge even faces a crowded Ford lineup in the showroom, as it is positioned between the smaller Escape and seven-passenger Freestyle, soon to be called Taurus X. Then there is the traditional, truck-framed Explorer at a similar price. Derived from the Mazda6 sedan platform, the Edge also shares components with the newly introduced Mazda CX-9 and has an upscale sibling, the Lincoln MKX.

The Edge starts at about $26,000 for the base SE. Our upper-trim, all-wheel-drive SEL had a $33,590 sticker price. At that price level, it faces established, capable competitors such as the Honda Pilot, Mitsubishi Endeavor, Nissan Murano, and Toyota Highlander.

Initial impressions. One of the Edge's best features is Ford's punchy new 3.5-liter V6, good for 265 hp. At high revs, though, this V6 still doesn't feel as refined and composed as competing engines from Honda and Nissan. The transmission is a smooth-shifting, six-speed automatic.

Most of our test drivers were impressed with the comfortable ride and quiet cabin, but surprised that the handling lacked the agility of other recently tested Fords, such as the Escape, Focus, and Fusion sedan.

The interior has drawn mixed reviews. The cockpit is roomy and the front seats are comfortable. The rear seat is spacious enough, but the seat cushions are too low and flat. Several interior trim pieces look and feel cheap. High windowsills and wide roof pillars compromise the rearward view, and the heavy tailgate requires too much effort to open and close.

The optional panoramic sunroof is a nice touch, despite its hefty $1,395 price. And an additional $1,555 buys a package that includes seat heaters, automatic climate control, and an outside temperature display--a lot of money for items that are standard in many $30,000 vehicles. Unlike some competitors, the Edge has no third-row seat available. At least stability control and side-curtain air bags are standard.

CR 's take. Overall, the Edge is a fairly nice package but pricey for what you get. We would have liked to see sharper handling, a higher-quality interior, and more standard equipment. We will see how it stacks up against the competition in the July 2007 issue of Consumer Reports and on ConsumerReports.org in June.

Read the Consumer Reports Cars Blog for regular updates on vehicles CR is currently evaluating.

Source: [url=http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/news/2007/03/-first-look-2007-ford-edge-3-07/overview/0703_ford-edge.htm]Consumer Reports[/url]