Used 2014 Ford Edge

As gasoline prices remain high, more and more buyers are coming to the conclusion that sometimes less is more. If you don’t need 3-row seating or a big V8 engine, a vehicle like the 2014 Ford Edge may solve most of your transportation problems. With its available turbocharged EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine, the Edge returns up to 30 mpg on the highway while sacrificing nothing in the way of power and acceleration. Those who have to live with winter’s worst will appreciate the available all-wheel drive (AWD) and powerful V6, while enthusiast drivers will delight at the Sport model. However, because the Edge design is starting to age, it faces stiff competition from the likes of the Toyota Highlander, Hyundai Santa Fe Sport and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Unlike some crossovers, the 2014 Ford Edge offers a choice of three engines and there is not a bad one in the bunch. The EcoBoost 4-cylinder may be the least powerful of the three, but with 240 horsepower on tap it’s no slouch and its 30-mpg highway rating is equally impressive. If you want AWD, you’re going to have to move up to the 3.5-liter V6, which provides excellent power for passing and cruising without a great sacrifice in fuel economy. At the top of the pecking order is the 3.7-liter V6 in the Edge Sport. This model delivers the best performance and handling of the four trims, but its ride is decidedly firm and the big wheel/tire combo makes for more noise inside the cabin. Overall, we found all the Edge trims provided good handling, although the steering feels a bit heavy at times.

The 2014 Ford Edge is not considered a luxury car like its twin, the Lincoln MKX, but step inside the Ford and you might forget you’re in the blue-collar version. The Edge’s optional MyFord Touch telematics system includes customizable displays on both sides of the speedometer, as well as an 8-inch monitor in the center stack. Learning this technology takes time, and models fitted with the large touch-screen panel can prove frustrating when all you want to do is something as simple as adjusting the climate. Front and back, passenger space is abundant and comfortable. Behind the seats, cargo room is good.

The 2014 Edge has a squat, bulldog-like stance that stands apart from boxy and more traditional SUVs whose shapes are often dictated by the addition of a small 3rd-row seat. The Edge’s high beltline and gently sloping rear give the vehicle a tough yet elegant appearance. Large housings make room for wheels ranging in size from 17 inches to a whopping 22 inches. Ford’s 3-bar chrome grille makes a big statement up front, and on top-line Sport models it is blacked out for further distinction. In back, 4-inch dual exhaust outlets give the 2014 Edge a sportier look.

HD RADIO WITH SONG TAGGING
This subscription-free digital tuner brings in FM stations with higher quality and includes an iTunes tagging feature that lets you mark a song you like so you can download it later. The technology is part of the robust SYNC system available in higher-trim Edge models.

VISTA ROOF
This optional feature creates an open feeling to the Edge’s cabin. Over the front seats is a glass panel that slides and opens, while rear-seat passengers can peer through a fixed-window skylight.

A base 2014 Ford Edge SE comes with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player with audio input jack, cloth seating, reclining 60/40 rear seats, and capless fuel-filler system. SEL models add features like dual-zone automatic climate control, 10-way power driver’s seat, and 18-inch wheels. Limited models get the MyFord Touch telematics system, upgraded Sony audio system with HD Radio, and leather seats. At the top of the line is the Sport model with a powerful 3.7-liter V6 engine, 22-inch wheels and a rearview camera.

Feature options vary by trim, but among them are the 2-panel Vista Roof, navigation system, adaptive cruise control, DVD rear-seat entertainment system, power liftgate, heated front seats, and a blind-spot monitoring system, as well as all-wheel drive on V6 models. All trims except Sport can be had with the smaller and more fuel-efficient 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. Those wanting to tow can equip the Edge with a Class II trailer package with sway control.

For 2014 the Ford Edge has a choice of V6 engines and a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that offers up to 30 mpg and more torque than the base V6. The sole transmission is a smooth-shifting 6-speed automatic. The most powerful engine is the 3.7-liter V6 and is reserved for Sport models. Both V6 engines can be had with all-wheel drive, while the 4-cylinder Edge comes only in front-wheel-drive (FWD) form. All models of the Edge can be equipped for towing. The 4-cylinder Edge has a maximum tow rating of 1,500 pounds, the 3.5-liter V6 can tow up to 2,000 pounds, and the 3.7-liter V6 can handle up to 3,500 pounds.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
240 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
270 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/30 mpg

3.5-liter V6
285 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
253 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/27 mpg (FWD), 18/25 mpg (AWD)

3.7-liter V6
305 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
280 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/26 mpg (FWD), 17/23 mpg (AWD)