2012 Ford Edge Overview Change Vehicle

This 2012 Ford Edge overview explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2012 Edge, and includes Ford Edge safety, reliability, and fuel economy information.

The Ford Edge is a five-passenger, midsize crossover SUV. It competes with a wide range of vehicles, and is designed to be a larger alternative to the Ford Escape and a sportier model than either the Ford Explorer or the Ford Flex.

Ford adds a new turbocharged, direct-injected, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine to the Edge’s powertrain lineup, bringing the total to three. The new optional engine, dubbed EcoBoost, is expected to provide the power of a V6 engine combined with the fuel economy of a four-cylinder engine. The EcoBoost engine will be offered on all Edge models except the Sport, and will be paired with aerodynamic enhancements including active grille shutters that open only when the engine requires additional cooling. In other news, SE models are available with Sync wireless communication and entertainment technology for the first time, while the SEL and Limited models now include a standard 10-way power driver’s seat, and Limited models also come with a 10-way power front passenger’s seat. All Edge models receive aerodynamic enhancements including new side mirrors, a new tailgate spoiler, and 18-inch low rolling-resistance tires. Finally, new colors include Ginger Ale, Mineral Gray, Dark Blue Pearl, Cinnamon, and Black.

Even if your budget dictates that the SE model is the Edge you can afford, rest assured that you’d be getting a stylish, well-equipped SUV. First off, it doesn’t look inexpensive, thanks to standard alloy wheels with low rolling resistance tires, dark tinted rear glass, and chrome exterior detailing. Inside, cloth upholstery and a reclining 60/40-split folding rear seat with a center armrest are standard, along with floor mats, a cargo net, and Ford’s thoughtful MyKey programmable vehicle settings. Other features include a stereo with a CD player and an auxiliary audio input jack, power windows, power door locks with remote keyless entry, power mirrors with blind-spot reflection, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, speed-sensitive wipers, and air conditioning. Options for the Edge SE are limited; highlights include Ford Sync, satellite radio, a reverse sensing system, a SecuriCode keypad entry system, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, remote engine starting, and automatic headlights.

Next on the model ladder is the popular SEL model. This version of the Edge adds cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 10-way power driver’s seat, Easy Fold rear seats, nicer fabric on the seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. A SecuriCode keypad entry system is included, along with a reverse sensing system and headlights that are linked to the wipers so that they’re on when it’s raining. Other SEL features include an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a cargo management system, illuminated visor vanity mirrors, and satellite radio.

Edge SEL models can be equipped with numerous options, including all-wheel drive, 20-inch wheels, leather seats with front seat heaters, a 10-way power front passenger’s seat, ambient cabin lighting, a dual-screen rear DVD entertainment system, Ford Sync, navigation, a panoramic sunroof, remote engine starting, and a reversing camera. MyFord Touch technology is optional on the SEL, as well as a Vision Package that includes rain-sensing wipers, a Blind-Spot Information System, and Cross Traffic Alert technology.

The Edge Limited is the luxury model. It comes with leather seats that are heated in front, a 10-way power front passenger’s seat that folds in half to carry longer items with the tailgate closed, and memory for the driver’s seat and mirror settings. Loaded with technology, the Limited has Ford Sync, HD Radio with iTunes song tagging capability, MyFord Touch, and a reversing camera. Chrome wheels identify the Limited model from the outside, while the cabin receives ambient lighting. Additional upgrades include heated side mirror with approach lamps and a HomeLink programmable remote control.

Limited models can be optioned with navigation, a panoramic sunroof, a rear seat entertainment system, keyless entry with push-button ignition, a power tailgate, and remote engine starting. All-wheel drive, 20-inch wheels, HID headlights, and an Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning system are also optional on this model.

Ford also offers a performance-oriented version of the Edge. Dubbed the Sport model, it has a larger, more powerful V6 engine, a sport-tuned suspension, 22-inch wheels with performance-oriented tires, and paddle shifters for the transmission. A blacked-out grille, chrome oval exhaust outlets, and aluminum pedals add further exclusivity to the Edge Sport. Sport models can also be outfitted with all-wheel drive, navigation, the panoramic sunroof, and the rear entertainment system, as well as keyless entry and ignition, a power tailgate, and remote engine starting. The Vision Package is also optional on the Sport.

The standard engine for the SE, SEL and Limited models is a 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 285 horsepower, driving the front or all four wheels through a six-speed automatic that provides a manual shift mode in SEL and Limited models. Final fuel economy estimates were not available at the time this review was written, but in 2011 the Edge with front-wheel drive was rated to get 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway (27 mpg on the highway for SEL and Limited). With all-wheel drive, last year’s Edge was rated to return 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway (25 mpg on the highway for SEL and Limited).

For 2012, the Edge SE, SEL and Limited models are available with a new turbocharged, direct-injected, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine called EcoBoost. Horsepower and torque figures had not been released when this review was written, but we expect the engine to make around 225 horsepower fortified with a thick and flat torque band running between 2,000 and 4,500 rpm. The EcoBoost should feel almost as powerful as the standard V6 while getting better fuel economy.

The performance-oriented Edge Sport continues with an exclusive 3.7-liter V6 engine, the same one found under the hood of the Ford Mustang. It makes 305 horsepower, and is bolted to a six-speed automatic with a manual shift mode that sends power to the front or all four wheels. Last year, fuel economy ratings were 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive and 17-city/23-highway with all-wheel drive.

Standard safety equipment for the 2012 Ford Edge includes six airbags, traction and stability control, four-wheel-disc antilock brakes, side mirrors with blind-spot reflection, and MyKey programmable vehicle settings. Options include a reverse sensing system for the SE model, while SEL, Limited and Sport models can be equipped with rain-sensing wipers, a Blind Spot Information System, and a Cross Traffic Alert feature. A reversing camera is optional on the SEL model, and Limited models can be optioned with Adaptive Cruise Control and a Collision Warning system with Brake Support.

While Ford takes safety seriously, the Edge’s underlying structural elements date to 2007. That’s one reason frontal-impact crash-test performance rates just 3 Stars according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In side-impact testing, the Edge gets a 5-Star rating, and rollover resistance rates 4 Stars.

In 2011, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Edge a Top Safety Pick for models built after February of that year. The IIHS has not determined if this rating carries over for 2012 models as this review is published.

As for reliability, information for 2012 is not available as we publish this review. Last year, J.D. Power and Associates predicted that the Edge would provide better than average dependability over time. However, in J.D. Power’s 2011 Initial Quality Study, Ford slipped in the ratings due to customer problems with the optional technology features on its vehicles, many of which are available on the Edge.

Speaking of technology, it’s worth explaining a few of the 2012 Edge’s features in more detail.

MyKey is standard on all models, and it allows parents to program volume and speed limits for the vehicle, defeats the ability to turn off the traction and stability control systems, and encourages seatbelt use by incessantly sounding a reminder chime if there are unbuckled occupants aboard. For households with teen drivers, MyKey reflects thoughtfulness on Ford’s part.

Ford Sync is optional on the SE and SEL and standard on Limited and Sport. It includes Bluetooth-style hands-free calling and media streaming capability, combined with a telematics system that includes 911 Assist, Vehicle Health Reports, and Traffic, Directions and Connections service. With 911 Assist, an operator tries to get in touch with vehicle occupants in the event of an airbag deployment, and can send rescue personnel to the Edge’s location even if nobody is able to respond. Traffic, Directions and Connections provides real-time traffic data, turn-by-turn navigation assistance, and personalized weather, news, and sports reporting. Sync also includes a Media Hub with dual USB ports, an SD card slot, and a video input jack.

MyFord Touch is available on the SEL and comes standard on the Limited and Sport models. It bundles navigation, entertainment, climate, and information functions together, allowing them to be operated via voice commands or a touchscreen dashboard display.

A Vision Package is optional for the SEL, Limited, and Sport models. It contains rain-sensing wipers, a Blind-Spot Information System (BLIS), and Cross Traffic Alert technology. BLIS can tell the driver if a vehicle is in the Edge’s blind spot when the turn signal is activated for a lane change, while Cross Traffic Alert can detect approaching vehicles when reversing from a parking space with limited visibility.

The Edge Limited is available with Adaptive Cruise Control with Collision Warning. This feature employs radar-based cruise control to maintain safe speeds between the Edge and traffic ahead, and if the Edge is closing rapidly on slowing or stopped traffic, the Collision Warning system will sound audible and visual alerts and prepare the braking system for full stopping power if necessary.

Ford really knocks it out of the park with the 2012 Ford Edge, with few exceptions. There’s an Edge to satisfy almost any budget and almost any requirement, and while consumer complaints about the Edge’s technology features as well as unimpressive frontal-impact crash-test scores from the NHTSA are potential causes for pause, we still recommend the 2012 Edge.

By Christian Wardlaw