2008 Used Ford Edge Manchester NH

See Our New 2008 Ford Edge Manchester, NH

2008 Ford Edge Design

The Edge is bigger than it looks in photos. The reason is that it has a wide track and a long wheelbase with short overhangs. Checking the specs you'll find the Edge is eight inches shorter than the Ford Explorer yet its wheelbase is barely two inches shorter. Perhaps more important, the track on the Edge is over four inches greater while the overall width is just one inch greater. What does all this mean? (The track is the distance between the left and right wheels. Wheelbase is the distance between the front and rear wheels.)

The wide track and long wheelbase relative to the body make the Edge look solid: The four wheels are near each corner, making it appear firmly planted on the road. The long wheelbase and wide track are not just about looks; they make for a more stable vehicle because the majority of the mass is inside the wheels. A go-kart is the ultimate expression of this look. We're not suggesting the Edge looks like a go-kart, but its aggressive stance makes it stand apart from the tippy look of traditional SUVs with relatively narrow track measurements and massive front and rear overhangs.

Driving Impressions of the 2008 Ford Edge

The Ford Edge handles reasonably well, given its considerable size and weight. The Edge is based off the same platform as the Ford Fusion and the Mazda6, regarded as one of the better handling midsize sedans. So the Edge starts life with a good basic structure. Having its wheels out near the corners aids stability and handling. Naturally, the higher center of gravity prevents the Edge from being as nimble as a sports sedan, but unless you need to drive fast through the twisties, you'll find it is perfectly adequate with less body roll than a regular SUV.

The Edge shares its platform and engine with the Mazda CX-9 crossover, as well. Ford says it purposely designed the Edge to deliver a slightly softer ride than that of the CX-9. Those who have driven both vehicles concur with this assessment.

Ford's 3.5-liter V6 engine has variable valve timing and is much smoother and more refined than its previous V6s. This engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission developed with General Motors. We found the engine produced a good range of power at all speeds and the transmission shifted smoothly. We would rate the performance as middle of the pack: it's neither a barnburner nor a slug.

2008 Used Ford Edge Lineup

The 2008 Ford Edge comes in three trim levels: SE, SEL, and Limited. All models are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 265 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque, coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard. All-wheel drive is available for all models.

Edge SE  and SE AWD come equipped with cloth upholstery, driver's seat lumbar adjustment, air conditioning, cruise control, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, 60/40 split second-row seat, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, remote keyless entry, 4-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo with auxiliary input jack, rear spoiler, and P235/65R17 tires on alloy wheels. A six-disc CD changer is optional.

Edge SEL and SEL AWD  add fog lamps, six-way power driver's seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, keyless keypad entry; 6CD, automatic headlights, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a vehicle information center. A Premium Package upgrades the SEL with leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, interior air filter, heated front seats, memory for the driver's seat and driver's exterior mirror, universal garage door opener, and heated exterior mirrors with courtesy lights. Options include an upgraded sound system  and a Seating Flexibility Package  that adds leather upholstery, a flat-folding six-way power adjustable front passenger seat, and a second-row split folding rear seat. Available for both SE and SEL models are Ford Sync entertainment and communications system  and P245/60R18 tires on alloy wheels. These tires are also offered on chromed alloy wheels for the SEL.

Interior of the 2008 Ford Edge

The Edge combines a stylish, comfortable interior with lots of cargo-hauling utility.

Front-seat occupants find a generous amount of room, largely due to the vehicle's generous width. There is a large center console with a storage box big enough for a laptop computer. Two decent cupholders reside alongside the substantial shifter. The center stack is angled outward to make it easy to reach the large knobs for the climate and entertainment controls. The Interior Appearance Package adds red seat inserts and contrasting red stitching that combine to give the interior a sporty look. The instrument pod has four gauges well recessed in their individual binnacles.

The Ford Sync communications and entertainment system can be controlled via voice commands or dashboard buttons. It can recognize Bluetooth-enabled cell phones, access their phonebooks, and play calls and read text messages through the speakers. It also has a USB interface to connect with iPods and other MP3 players (it will charge an iPod). To issue a voice command, the driver hits a steering wheel button and speaks the command. Occupants can tell the system to play a specific artist, album or track stored on an MP3 player. While Sync is nicely integrated, we've found it takes time to learn the voice commands, and there may be some frustration until the system is mastered.

The rear seats offer a decent amount of leg room; in fact, there's two inches more here than you'll find in the larger Explorer. Headroom is also reasonable in the rear, even with the optional Vista Roof. The rear-center passenger even gets more room than normal in a vehicle of this size, thanks to the wide track. Getting in and out is easier thanks to rear wheels that are placed well back and thus allow for less intrusion from the wheel wells.

Summary

The Ford Edge offers striking styling. The Edge is a far more efficient vehicle than a traditional SUV. Opt for all-wheel drive and you've got a great all-year-round car as well. Some criticize the Edge for not having three rows of seats but that fact makes for a much more practical and pleasant five-seater. In short, if you aren't towing heavy trailers or frequently driving over rugged terrain, the Ford Edge is a smarter choice than a traditional, truck-based SUV.

Some information for this review was obtained from NewCarTestDrive.com