2012 Ford Edge SEL EcoBoost Review
When you have four crossovers in your line-up with the price ranging from $25,000 to $35,000 it will result in cannibalization and that is the reason why you want to go in for the 2012 Ford Edge SEL EcoBoost.
The 2013 Ford Escape will start appearing at showrooms soon, fitted with the 2000cc EcoBoost engine, which was less impressive in the Ford Explorer because of the weight of the vehicle.
The Edge, which falls in between the bigger Explorer and the smaller Escape, will find the EcoBoost acceptable while it will be just right for the Escape.
Ford should be praised for trying to raise fuel efficiency of their crossover sport utility vehicles by fitting them with smaller but powerful engines but this isn’t working exactly like planned on the Explorer.
Photo Credit: Automotorcar.com/ford/2012-ford-edge-ecoboost-rated-30-mpg-highway
Because the sheer weight of the vehicle overwhelms the small 2000cc engine, leading to less than advertised fuel efficiency and lazy acceleration.
The Edge weighs 500lbs less than the Explorer and suddenly the midsize crossover is in with a fighting chance to prove the detractors wrong.
2012 Ford Edge SEL EcoBoost Features
Powerplant & Performance
The Ford Edge EcoBoost has the 2000cc turbocharged 4-cylinder powerplant which has an output of 240hp and 270lb/ft of torque, mated to 6-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels.
As expected, the Edge acceleartes faster than the Explorer, posting a 0-60mph time of 7.7 seconds, which is 1.5 seconds faster than the time of the bigger vehicle. More importantly, the EcoBoost Edge is only 0.5 second slower than the front-wheel-drive Edge V6, we put on test in 2011.
Photo Credit: Automotorcar.com/ford/2012-ford-edge-ecoboost-rated-30-mpg-highway
Performance around the figure eight is pretty similar too: 28.1 seconds at 0.58g for the 2012 Edge EcoBoost and 28 seconds at 0.61g for the 2011 FWD Edge V6. The Ecoboost Edge conquers the quarter-mile barrier in 16 seconds at 86.5mph, while the Edge V6 does it in 15.6 seconds at 90.6 mph.
In the 45mph-65mph overtaking acceleration test, the 2012 Edge EcoBoost reached 65mph in four seconds, which was 3/10ths of a second adrift of the FWD Edge V6 but faster than AWD Edge Sport (4.2seconds) and Explorer EcoBoost (5.3seconds).
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Like with the EcoBoost engine-equipped Explorer, the Edge EcoBoost is afflicted by torque steer. Accelerating briskly from a dead stop results in the Edge torque steering for some time before it falls in line.
At sedate speeds, drivers will be forgiven for forgetting that the EcoBoost is a turbocharged engine, because of the linear response of the throttle.
It doesn’t handle in a sporty manner when taken to the limit but its fun to pilot the vehicle around the figure eight. With 59% of the the 4014lbs weight on the front part of the vehicle, performance on the backroads is acceptable.
If you want a vehicle with a more comfortable ride have a look at the Lincoln MKX, because the suspension on the Edge is slightly firmer.
Both vehicles have the MyFord Touch interface for various functions and though it is more form than functional, the buttons worked well almost all the time. However, the buttons don’t work as slickly as rotary knobs.
However, you get the same engine and myFord Touch from the Edge in the upgraded 2013 Escape. To get the EcoBoost, you need to pay nearly $1000 over the price of the V6-equipped Edge, while the Escape offers the same engine in its top of the range model, which is 300lbs lighter.
Both Edge and Escape have a towing capacity of 3500lbs, while the smaller and cheaper Escape has 2.1cu/ft more cargo space than the Edge.
Mileage
The Edge EcoBoost achieved a figure of around 19mpg in this test, while official EPA figures are 21mpg (city) and 30mpg (highway). The Escape scored higher and it will also fit more easily in standard-sized garage and the EcoBoost model comes with all-wheel-drive system.
Sum Up & Price
Ford sold twice as many Escapes as the Edge but that doesn’t mean it is the better choice. The Edge has 2.8” more legroom on the rear seat and also more hip and shoulder room plus reclinable seat-backs and the customizable instrument cluster.
On the exterior, the grille has lavish helpings of chrome, which is more than on any other Ford SUV. The 2012 Ford Edge SEL EcoBoost on test here was priced $36,440 and came equipped with leather seats, MyFord Touch, navigation system, blind spot monitoring system and reverse assist camera.
