Edmunds CarPool

Y'all didn't pull any punches on the Edge review.
 
I have to agree, for that kind of money, why not just get a fully loaded Explorer? Even the gas mileage was awful in your test Edge, one might as well have a "real" SUV if it's going to cost the same. These are family cars. The sporty ride and handling of the Edge do not make up for the loss of 3rd row seats, cargo space, and perceived quality.

Why wasn't a single GM van included in the minivan comparison? Not saying it would have won, but it sure would have beaten the Town and Country, possibly the Quest.
 
Regarding the Edge, yes at that price it is expensive, but the same can be said for any loaded run of the mill car, such as top of the line V6 Accords and Camrys. After all, the Camry that won the midsize comparison cost above $30K. At that price, you can buy a lightly used luxury car, or a new luxury car like the MKZ and Azera.
 
The Edge article kept focusing on the $36K price tag which can be significantly lowered by not getting the expensive options like AWD, nav and DVD entertainment.

I'm not sure I get the price business with the Edge either. The full test article states:
 
"The fact is you get a comparable Honda Pilot EX-L AWD or Toyota Highlander Limited AWD (both with a third-row) for less than that. Even a Cadillac SRX V6 comes in at $37,665."
 
The Pilot prices out $35,930 and the Highlander at $36,541 comparably equipped, including destination. The SRX starts at $37,665, but is $42,450 when equipped with navigation and sunroof.
 
Strange!!!

Yeah, the Edge article didn't even mention in passing what the starting MSRP was (it's $26K, btw). It's like they were out to get the car, which is a pretty nice one for $30K or so.

Remember that even when you load up a Camry or Accord and make it cross $30,000, the interior STILL DOESN'T FEEL CHEAP. It may not feel as good as an entry-level luxury car, but it doesn't feel cheap. There's a difference between an interior that feels "plush," one that feels "fine" and one that feels "cheap." The thing about Camrys and Accords is, even if you somehow made one cost $50,000 the interior still wouldn't feel cheap, it just wouldn't feel as good as comparably equipped cars from Audi, BMW, etc, but it would still feel "fine."
 
The Edge's interior feels "fine" at $26,000...but just barely. It basically doesn't FEEL much better than, say, an HHR or Caliber interior (though it LOOKS better than either). But as soon as you approach $30,000 what was "fine" before isn't "fine" anymore. If Ford knew it was POSSIBLE for an Edge to cost $36,000 than that's the price they have to START at with when considering interior materials. That's where companies like Volkswagen and Honda excel. They ensure that even if a model is maxxed out in price range the interior will still hold up under scrutiny (might not feel "plush" but will at least feel "fine").
 
As for being "out to get" the Edge, don't forget that, beyond the interior issue we raised (and which could be considered "opinion"), the car took over 150 feet stop from 60 mph. That distance wasn't our "opinion," it's what the test gear said at the end of brake testing. Same with the curb weight. The car weighs over 4,500 lbs (which may be related to the braking issue...). Finally, the lack of forward gear choices ("D" and "L") is also not based on "opinion." It's a fact, and the lack of gear choices (or a manual shift mode) isn't what I would expect on A) a vehicle costing $36,000 (which ours did) and B) the vehicle that's supposed to lead Ford's turnaround.
 
And so it is, again, with the Edge. A "bad" car? No. A segment-leading, benchmark-setting, perceptions-changing model that will help redefine Ford and bring hords of non-Ford buyers running? Not in our opinion. Normally that wouldn't be such a big deal. Nobody hits a home run every time at bat. If Ford had three more "Edge-like" products in their repertoire, and about to hit the market, then the combination of all four would keep a large swath of buyers coming through the showroom doors. But, at least in the short term, they don't.

It seems to me that the review was "fixed" around a negative attitude based on erroneous price comparisons. I quote:
  
"Our loaded Edge carried a $36,360 as-tested price. Granted our tester was packing the top-tier SEL Plus AWD trim level, but even staffers enamored by the Edge took one look at that number and spontaneously blurted out something like, 'Well that changes everything.'"
  
It doesn't get much clearer than that.
  
Amazingly, the price comparisons at the very heart of the review were apparently never done -- certainly not competently. It was a very simple 10-minute task. Instead, the reviewers went all the way with the initial knee-jerk reaction.
   
This adds up to low credibility in my mind.

I was with Karl on the earlier Blog post and I'm still with him. There are two or more sides to every story -- for every person that accuses (or implies that) the review was negatively biased from the get-go, I see people trying to make excuses for what is, in my opinion, a product that is patently not the home run Ford needed. Some people will feel differently but the review was dead-on center for me.
 
...and 14.7mpg on a crossover?? Ay caramba...
 
On a final note, having said the above, the Edge is such a significant vehicle for Ford that I'd actually like to see one in the Long-Term fleet. It's short on Fords, anyways. (Karl, you'll have to forgive me but I simply don't count the [dream-world] GT... nor do I count the Miata. :) I would be curious to see what editors had to say about it over the long haul.

We are indeed planning an Edge for the long-term program. We're trying to keep options to a minimum so the price won't cross $30,000.
 
We've actually been ready to buy for a few weeks now...but the car just got delayed. http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=117590?imw=Y

I'll have to agree to disagree with you about the cheapness of the interior - but you are certainly entitled to your opinion. But not to mention the base MSRP, even in passing, was wrong, however you want to spin it. I get it now though - you had the mindset of a class-leading entry that would save Ford and that colored the review when the vehicle didn't meet that expectation. Hence, an overly negative review of a pretty good, if not class-leading, vehicle.

"I get it now though - you had the mindset of a class-leading entry that would save Ford and that colored the review when the vehicle didn't meet that expectation."
  
I agree with you, mirth. Plus there was the wrong mindset that it was in a higher price category than the Pilot and Highlander; i.e., in SRX territory.