 2009 Ford Edge Sport. Click image to enlarge |
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2009 Ford Edge
Surrey, British Columbia – The Edge was Ford’s first entry in the mid-sized cross-utility market when it was introduced as an ’07 model-year vehicle, and a Sport version is a new addition to the 2009 line-up. When compared with a traditional truck-based SUV, such as the Ford Explorer, the Edge offers better fuel economy, sexier styling and superior road manners without giving up too much in the way of utility.
A wide track, a long wheelbase, short body overhangs and big, big wheels give the Edge a squat and determined look. Its huge, 22-inch polished aluminum wheels make the Edge Sport an easy vehicle to spot. It also has a ground-effects body kit and larger tailpipes. A bigger version of Ford’s now-familiar three-bar chrome grille aligns with headlights that appear small relative to its body size. The hood is short by way of its cab-forward design that gives the Edge a steeply raked windshield.
  2009 Ford Edge Sport. Click image to enlarge |
My test Edge came with an optional panorama (Vista) sun roof, which has two sections: the rear is fixed, but the front section can open fully or tilt partially open.
A new standard feature for 2009 is what Ford calls a blind-spot mirror. It’s a normal side-view mirror with a secondary convex spotter mirror in the top outer corner. Unlike the after-market stick-on mirrors, this is one continuous glass surface and the spotter mirror is specifically designed for the vehicle to provide an optimized field of view.
The 2009 Edge comes in four trim levels: SE, SEL and Limited, in addition to the new top-line Sport edition. All are powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine that can produce 265 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque. This engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and drive goes to the front wheels. All-wheel drive is an option ($2,000) on SEL and Limited and standard on Sport.
  2009 Ford Edge Sport. Click image to enlarge |
The Edge is bigger than it looks in photos and that’s very apparent when you move inside it. There’s a spacious airy feel to the cabin and rear-seat room is particularly good. Riders in the back also get adjustable seatbacks, but the seat cushions are lower than the front positions, so it’s a knees-up seating position.
The Edge Sport has distinctive leather seating with Alcantara suede centre panel inserts and a nine-speaker sound system. My Edge also came with funky, purple accent-mood lighting inside that also illuminated the centre cup holders. The centre console storage bin is very big and has a removable tray. Apparently there’s enough room for a laptop computer in it.
As you might expect, the rear seatbacks fold flat and the expanded cargo area provides enough space to swallow a full-sized clothes dryer. I know because our clothes dryer expired during my week with the Edge. An emergency-replacement machine slid right into the back and the rear liftgate closed — very impressive.
Standard safety features include dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags and side-curtain airbags with rollover protection for both rows of seating. Active safety features include anti-lock brakes, traction control and (AdvanceTrac) electronic stability control, which also comes with a roll-over mitigation feature.
My test vehicle had every option available, other than a rear DVD player ($2,100). Yet, surprisingly, a backup-camera system was not included with its navigation system. It did, however, have a backup-sensor system that gives an audible warning of obstacles behind the vehicle.
The Edge’s lower floor and seat height makes getting in and out an easier task, yet it still possesses almost as much ground clearance (just five millimetres less than the Explorer) to traverse rough back roads.
  2009 Ford Edge Sport. Click image to enlarge |
Performance-wise, the Sport edition of the Edge is no different than any other trim level, but it does look like it could go faster. That said, its V6 engine produces a good range of power and the six-speed automatic transmission shifts very smoothly, but it’s obviously geared to provide good fuel economy and doesn’t have a manual mode. Energuide fuel economy numbers (city/highway) are 12.8/8.4 L/100 kilometres (FWD); and 13.6/9.1 L/100 km (AWD).
The handling advantage of the Edge on paved roads is mainly due to its more stable, lower-centre-of-gravity design (it’s also 75 kilograms lighter than the Explorer), as well as its all-wheel drive system and fully independent suspension.
Despite the reduced cushioning effect of the narrow tire sidewalls on the big 22-inch wheels, the Edge offers a surprisingly comfortable ride. So, you get a flashy big-wheel skinny-tire look without paying the usual ride quality penalty.
The Edge uses a conventional all-wheel-drive system, with a centre viscous coupling that allocates power to the front or rear wheels depending on the traction available at any given time.
A leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift lever are part of the Sport interior upgrade. The steering wheel has manually operated tilt-and-telescopic adjustments to help find a good driving position. But unfortunately, no rest pedal for the left foot is provided.
While the total price (including delivery) for my test Edge came to $49,329, on checking the very attractive deep discounts currently being offered by Ford, it would appear that over $7,000 could be lopped off that price. A base SE can be had for under $27,000. The Edge competes with the likes of Mazda CX-9, Nissan Murano and Toyota Highlander.
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Pricing: 2009 Ford Edge Sport
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