The 2011 line-up of Ford Edge offers four exciting trims with premium features and refined performance. The base SE model enters at $27,640 with 17-inch painted alloy wheels, comfortable cabin space, spoiler-mounted solar panels, and a potent 3.5-Liter V6 engine. The SEL model features bigger 18-inch aluminum wheels, dual-zone air conditioning, and multiple driver aids. 

The Limited edition features much better ride quality with adaptive shock absorbers. Edge Sport equips a bigger 3.7-Liter V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.

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Analyzing the features quantitatively with price, the mid-tier SEL trim seems to be a good option. This trim equips the vehicle with a handful of convenience features and a more comfortable interior. It features a sportier fascia with bigger alloy wheels. 

The 2011 Ford Edge comes equipped with a potent 3.5-Liter V6 engine that churns out 285 hp and 253 lb-ft of torque. The engine comes mated to a standard 6-speed automatic transmission and power is sent to the front wheels as standard. You can opt for an AWD system in SEL trims and above. AWD system delivers better traction and cornering performance. For 2011 MY, the powertrain gets tweaked with 20 more horsepower than its predecessor.

2011 Edge Sport comes equipped with a bigger and better 3.7-liter V6 that churns out 305 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. The engine here comes mated to a similar 6-speed automatic with manual shift mode. The acceleration capability of this SUV resonates with the potent powertrain underneath. The car covers 0-60 mph in 7.2 seconds while covering a quarter-mile in 15.7 seconds. A firmer suspension tuning helps in better drive quality and road traction.

The competitive spirit of the segment is evident in the way each vehicle performs. While powertrain setups are similar, the Toyota Highlander produces 270 hp and 248lb.-ft of torque and manages similar acceleration timings as the Ford comes equipped with a distinct 5-speed automatic transmission. The Chevy Equinox’s engine is the closest to the Edge and it can rev to the 7000rpm mark and takes 15 seconds in the quarter-mile run, while the least torquiest Hyundai Santa Fe is the slowest. 

2011 Ford Edge delivers an efficient drive with a city mileage of 19 MPG. The car is perfect for long tours as it offers 26 MPG on highways and also equips an 18-gallon fuel tank. A long driving range of 468 highway miles, makes driving the Edge more preferable over its competitors. 

The AWD setup drops the fuel economy figures to 18/25/21 MPG in city/highway/combined driving cycles respectively. The 2011 Edge Sport model features a bigger 3.7-Liter engine and hence gets slightly lower EPA estimates at 17/23/19 mpg in city/highway/combined driving cycles respectively with AWD.

A good balance between performance and efficiency is the new definition for the 2011 Ford Edge. Hyundai Santa Fe offers a slightly better MPG in the city while the Toyota Highlander is not so efficient with 20 MPG; owing to its sluggish 5-speed automatic transmission we guess. Chevrolet Equinox on the other hand comes equipped with a large 20.9-gallon tank and with a decent 25 MPG, it delivers 522 miles of driving range on the highway.

The interior of the 2011 Ford Edge is upmarket. The base variant comes with air-conditioning, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, and vinyl upholstery as standard. Moving to the mid-tier SEL trim, it gets you a power-adjustable driver seat, dual-zone automatic climate control system, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. It upgrades to cloth upholstery from vinyl wrapping in the base model. The top-end Limited trim gets ambient lighting, leather upholstery, a 10-way power driver seat with memory settings, a power front passenger seat, and heated front seats. 

As standard, Ford Edge can seat 5 people in two rows with massive rear cargo space. Some of its rivals in the segment can seat up to 7 people in three rows but they eat into the cargo space. 2011 Edge is built specifically for small families or groups of friends who wish to take a handful of luggage for their weekend trips. The cabin offers ample legroom and headroom, for both front and rear occupants. With 60/40 split second-row seats, the trunk space is expandable.

There is no power liftgate available in the 2011 Ford Edge. This leads to difficulty in closing the hatch for shorter drivers. The cargo capacity of 32.2 cubic feet is respectable with the 5-seat arrangement. Competitors like Chevy Equinox and Hyundai Santa Fe are also spacious and offer a vast cargo space. Highlander and Santa Fe offer the most spacious front rows but the second row feels a bit cramped when compared to the Ford. However, the Toyota has a trunk volume of 10.3 cubic feet, which makes it rather impractical. 

Standout interior features:

• 10-way power-adjustable driver seat
• Leather-wrapped seating for Limited trim
• Steering wheel controls
• Dual Zone Climate Control
• Heated front seats
• Ambient interior lighting

How intuitive is the 2011 Ford Edge's infotainment system?

2011 Ford Edge comes equipped with the latest MyFord Touch infotainment in the Limited trim. A single tap on the screen adjusts climate or audio controls. As standard, you get a six-speaker stereo with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack. SEL trim adds satellite radio. 

Limited trim gets a premium surround sound system by Sony and other features like MyFord Touch interface, Ford Sync, SiriusXM Satellite Radio and Bluetooth connectivity. With the SYNC system, voice control is easier and faster. You can also opt for a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system and an SD-card-based navigation system with real-time traffic and Sirius travel link through available packages and options.

Standout infotainment features:

• MyFord Touch infotainment
• Voice controls
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio
• SYNC system
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Premium 12-speaker Sony audio system

The design philosophy of the 2011 Edge is a class apart—the front fascia tweaks to a sportier grille and new headlight design. The chrome finish makes it look compelling. The car's sides feature massive 17-inch painted alloy wheels in base trim and bigger 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels in mid and top-end versions. The top gets a panoramic sunroof, while the rear features intuitive taillights and dual exhaust tips. 

Also, Body-colored door handles and side mirrors look stunning. Dimensionally, there are not many changes for the 2011 MY. The Edge is heavier and weighs 4,265 lbs but is dimensionally supreme. A good ground clearance of 8-inches helps in tackling harsh road conditions. The height of the car is around 67 inches, while the wheelbase stands at decent 111 inches.

The wheelbase of Ford Edge slots between Chevy Equinox and Toyota Highlander which measure 112.5 and 109.8 inches, respectively. All the crossovers offer almost similar ground clearance of 8-inches. The height of Santa Fe and Highlander are identical and an inch taller than Edge. The lightest of the segment is Hyundai Santa Fe weighs 3,902 lbs, while the heaviest is Ford Edge.

Standout exterior features:

• Panoramic Sunroof
• Body-colored door handles and side mirrors
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Adaptive headlights
• Chrome-finished front grille/ Black grille Sport version

2011 Ford Edge scores well in safety testing by NHTSA and IIHS. The base model gets few active safety features, while top-end models offer a range of advanced features like Ford MyKey, Electronic brakeforce distribution, emergency braking assist, and stability control. The Vision package includes a blind-spot and cross-traffic alert system.

Standout safety features:

• Post-collision safety system
• Ford MyKey
• Post-collision safety system
• Tire Pressure monitoring
• Emergency braking assist
• Blind-spot and cross-traffic monitoring

2011 Ford Edge gets a revamped premium interior cabin and stylish exterior design. There are three regular trims to choose from and a Sport version. The exterior design is sportier with a bold grille and bigger alloy wheels. If you are looking for an affordable and comfortable ride, the new Edge is a good choice. Taking the entry price and features inside under consideration, the 2011 Edge offers intense competition in the segment.