2011 Ford Edge Features & Specs

 

What's New for 2011

The 2011 Ford Edge has been heavily revised. Highlights include more power, updated exterior styling, reduced wind and road noise, improved interior quality and new features.

Introduction

Despite its name, the Ford Edge hasn't exactly been living an energized life recently. Compared to many of Ford's impressively updated or redesigned vehicles in the last two years, the Edge can come off as being, well, a bit dull. Thankfully, the sharpening stone has been brought for the 2011 Ford Edge, and we think this midsize crossover SUV is much better for it.
On the outside, this year's Edge maintains its generally athletic look, with a more prominent chrome grille bracketed by trendy LED running lights. The Edge Sport model drops the chrome in favor of blackout trim and now gets 22-inch wheels as standard equipment. The grille might be a bit much, yet this is one of the most handsome crossovers out there.
The Edge's familiar 3.5-liter V6 has been upgraded for 2011 to deliver 285 horsepower, a 20-hp gain. Fuel economy has gone up slightly, too. Meanwhile, the Edge Sport receives an exclusive 3.7-liter engine that kicks out 305 hp and 280 pound-feet of torque. All Edge models also receive new braking hardware, which has improved brake feel and shortened its stopping distance by 20 percent.
Both the look and the feel of the 2011 Edge's interior are more premium thanks to better materials and a high-tech electronics interface dubbed Ford's MyTouch. Complementing the existing Sync system, MyTouch features a new touchscreen display (it operates much like the screen of a smartphone) along with additional voice commands, and operates the Edge's array of tech features.
The 2011 Ford Edge is now a solid pick for a midsize five-passenger crossover, especially if you're fond of its styling and technological features. That said, we'd still recommend taking a look at the sharper-driving Nissan Murano or the family-friendly Toyota Venza. And if you need a third row of seats, there are other crossovers to check out. But now that it is both innovative and rewarding to drive, the latest Edge finally lives up to its name.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2011 Ford Edge crossover is available in SE, SEL, Limited and Sport trim levels.
The SE comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, full power accessories, air-conditioning, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and a six-speaker CD player with an auxiliary audio jack. The SEL gains 18-inch wheels, automatic headlights, rear parking sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, upgraded cloth upholstery, a six-way power driver seat, satellite radio and a trunk-mounted second-row folding seat release.
The top-shelf Limited adds ambient lighting, leather seating, a 10-way power driver seat with memory settings, a power front passenger seat, heated front seats, the MyFord Touch interface, Ford Sync, two USB inputs, a rearview camera and a premium 12-speaker Sony audio system with HD radio. The Edge Sport is equipped in a fashion similar to the Limited, though it comes with 22-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension and transmission paddle shifters.
Many of the additional features can be added to the lower trim levels via optional packages. Other available options include (depending on trim level) 20-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, a power liftgate, xenon headlights, adaptive cruise control, keyless ignition/entry, a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system and an SD-card-based navigation system with real-time traffic and Sirius travel link.

Powertrains and Performance

The Ford Edge SE, SEL and Limited come with a 3.5-liter V6 that generates 285 hp and 253 lb-ft of torque. It's connected to a six-speed automatic transmission. The Edge Sport has a 3.7-liter V6 that spins out 305 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed auto is again standard for the Sport, but it also includes manual shift control. All trim levels come standard with front-wheel drive, and all but the SE can be equipped with all-wheel drive.
EPA fuel economy estimates stand at 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined for a front-drive 3.5-liter model. Going with AWD drops the estimate slightly to 19/26/21 mpg. The Edge Sport has an 18/25/20 mpg rating with front-drive and 17/23/19 mpg with AWD.

Safety

Antilock disc brakes, stability control (with rollover avoidance logic), front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and blind-spot mirrors are all standard. The programmable Ford MyKey system, which can help make the Edge safer for teen drivers, also comes standard. Optional on all trims except the SE is a Vision package that includes blind-spot and cross-traffic monitoring systems.
In 2010 government crash tests, last year's Ford Edge scored five stars (out of five) for the driver and four stars for the passenger in frontal-impact tests, while it earned five stars in side-impact testing for both front and rear passengers. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests, the Edge scored the highest possible rating of "Good" in both frontal-offset and side-impact testing. In Edmunds brake testing, an all-wheel-drive Ford Edge Sport stopped from 60 mph in a respectable 121 feet.

Interior Design and Special Features

The 2011 Ford Edge has a revamped interior with a more modern design and higher-quality materials, something especially noticeable on models equipped with MyFord Touch. This new interface consists of three new display screens and the ability to input commands for various audio, phone and navigation functions via voice or touch controls. In operation, we've found it to be a pretty good interface and an interesting rival to BMW's iDrive or Audi's MMI. But there is a steep learning curve involved; less tech-savvy drivers will need time to adjust.
The Edge's front seats provide excellent support on longer trips, though some drivers will find the head restraints to be uncomfortably canted forward. In back, the reclining outboard seats are nicely shaped and offer satisfactory legroom, but headroom can be tight if you order the dual-pane "Vista Roof" option. Furthermore, the middle seat is for short trips only due to its slablike seatback.
Without the power liftgate, the Edge's rear hatch can be hard for shorter drivers to close, but cargo capacity is a respectable 32 cubic feet with the backseat in use. Folding down the second row opens up a not-so-flat cargo floor and a max capacity of 69 cubes. That's more than a Nissan Murano can manage, but less than the Toyota RAV4 or larger crossovers like the Chevy Traverse or Ford Flex.

Driving Impressions

The 2011 Ford Edge is most notable for its comfortable ride, which soaks up road irregularities well without feeling floaty in the process. Though its steering doesn't provide much road feel, the Edge nevertheless feels solid and secure. Sport models feel slightly sharper and more agile, though their larger wheels degrade the ride quality a bit. Every 2011 Edge has additional acoustic insulation and the result is an impressively quiet highway ride.
Acceleration from the standard V6 is strong, but the six-speed automatic transmission can be slow to downshift because it's been optimized for fuel-efficient driving. The Edge Sport has more power as well as a manual shift mode for the transmission, but its power advantage is largely negated by a heavier curb weight.

Colors

Exterior

Interior

Exterior

Body

• Chrome grille

Tires and Wheels

• Painted alloy wheels
• 17 x 7.5 in. wheels
• Steel spare wheel
• P235/65R17 tires
• All season tires
• Inside mounted spare tire
• Temporary spare tire

Roof and Glass

• Variable intermittent wipers
• Privacy glass
• Rear defogger
• Intermittent rear wiper

Doors

• Fixed lifgate window
• Rear liftgate door

Towing and Hauling

• Cargo tie downs

Measurements

• Width: 76.0 in.
• Height: 67.0 in.
• Length: 184.2 in.
• Ground clearance: 7.9 in.
• Front track: 65.4 in.
• Rear track: 65.2 in.
• Wheel base: 111.2 in.
• Cargo capacity, all seats in place: 32.2 cu.ft.
• Maximum cargo capacity: 68.9 cu.ft.

• Maximum towing capacity: 3500 lbs.**
• Maximum payload: 909 lbs.**
• Gross weight: 4991 lbs.
• Curb weight: 4082 lbs.
• Angle of approach: 15.0 degrees
• Angle of departure: 28.1 degrees

Exterior Options

• Front License Plate Bracket
• Black Roof Rack Side Rails

Mechanical

Engine & Performance

• Base engine size: 3.5 L
• Cam type: Double overhead cam (DOHC)
• Cylinders: V6
• Valves: 24
• Valve timing: Variable
• Torque: 253 ft-lbs. @ 4000 rpm
• Horsepower: 285 hp @ 6500 rpm
• Turning circle: 38.6 ft.

• Base engine type: gas

DriveTrain

• Drive type: front wheel drive
• Transmission: 6-speed automatic
• Brake hill holder

Suspension

• MacPherson strut front suspension
• Multi-link rear suspension
• Four-wheel independent suspension
• Front and rear stabilizer bar

Fuel

• Fuel type: gas
• Fuel type: regular unleaded
• Fuel tank capacity: 18.0 gal.
• Range in miles (cty/hwy): 342.0/468.0 mi.
• EPA mileage est. (cty/hwy): 19/26 mpg

Safety

Safety & Security

• 4-wheel ABS
• Front and rear head airbags
• Dual front side-mounted airbags
• Child seat anchors
• Emergency braking assist
• Front and rear ventilated disc brakes
• Rear door child safety locks
• Engine immobilizer
• 2 front headrests
• 3 rear headrests
• Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation
• Rear center 3-point belt
• Front seatbelt pretensioners
• Stability control
• Traction control
• Electronic brakeforce distribution
• Front height adjustable headrests
• Rear height adjustable headrests
• Post-collision safety system
• Tire pressure monitoring

Warranty

• Basic: 3 yr./ 36000 mi.
• Drivetrain: 5 yr./ 60000 mi.
• Roadside: 5 yr./ 60000 mi.

Interior

Front Seats

• Front head room: 40.0 in.
• Front hip room: 54.8 in.
• Front leg room: 40.7 in.
• Front shoulder room: 58.9 in.
• Driver seat with manual adjustable lumbar support
• Cloth
• Bucket front seats

Rear Seats

• Rear hip Room: 56.1 in.
• Rear head room: 39.3 in.
• Rear leg room: 39.6 in.
• Rear shoulder room: 58.7 in.
• Split-folding rear seatback
• Reclining rear seats
• Folding with storage center armrest
• Rear ventilation ducts

Power Features

• Remote power door locks
• Power mirrors
• 1 one-touch power windows

Convenience

• Cruise control
• Cargo net
• Front console with storage
• Front and rear cupholders
• Front and rear door pockets
• Overhead console with storage
• Retained accessory power
• Front seatback storage
• Power steering
• 12V front, 12V rear and 12V cargo area power outlet(s)
• Tilt and telescopic steering wheel
• Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel

Comfort

• Air conditioning
• Cargo area light
• Simulated alloy trim on dash
• Front and rear reading lights
• Front and rear floor mats
• Dual vanity mirrors

Instrumentation

• Clock
• Tachometer
• Trip computer
• Low fuel level warning

In Car Entertainment

• Mast antenna
• 6 total speakers
• AM/FM in-dash single CD player with CD MP3 Playback stereo
• Speed sensitive volume control
• Auxiliary MP3 audio input
• Radio data system

Interior Options

• All Weather Floor Mats

Packages

• Cargo Accessory Package
• Rapid Spec 100A
• Rapid Spec 101A