A drive in Ford's new CUV reveals two clear points: the 2007 Ford Edge is a comfortable cruiser, and it isn't the least bit athletic. In regards to the positive, the 265-horsepower V6 provides plenty of power for the routine daily drive, allowing for effortless city navigation and worry-free highway merging. Unfortunately, it performs its duties with far less refinement than competitors such as the Toyota RAV4, from the grainy feel of the gas pedal to the less than symphonic song sung at higher revs. Otherwise, it gets the job done without any real complaints. Plant the throttle and you'll be pleasantly surprised by the lack of noticeable torque steer. Though official figures have not been released, Ford suggests highway fuel economy to reach the mid 20s; we registered 13.8 mpg after an afternoon of mixed driving.

Mated to the Edge's 3.5-liter V6 is a new six-speed automatic transmission which offers smooth, fluid shifts that add a level of sophistication to the powertrain. From an operating perspective, there's little to complain about other than shift points that are delayed – on more than one occasion we progressively rolled on the throttle and had to wait for a gear change or additional power. When time is of the essence, dropping the shift knob into Low will execute a downshift. But that represents the tranny's bag of tricks (other than an overdrive off button), meaning there is no sport mode and no manual gear changing via the shifter or paddles on the steering wheel. Ford had resources to design either a six-speed or a five-speed with a manual-shift function, and according to the engineers we spoke with, their research indicated that buyers in this segment prefer the additional cog. That's information much of the industry would probably like to see, as other automakers employ so-called manu-matics in countless vehicles of all varieties, technology we've found can transform an otherwise disassociated driving experience.

At this point, we concluded that the 2007 Ford Edge is best viewed as comfortable, capable transportation and not a fun ride. As such, the rack-and-pinion steering system, offering little road feel yet nicely weighted and balanced at any speed, fits in perfectly, as do brakes that are sure and effective. Furthermore, the noticeable body roll will likely be recognized as a reasonable compromise for the smooth ride, which absorbs potholes with little issue. Spacious seats are padded for comfort and support, yet lack side bolsters suitable for any type of spirited cornering. The stability control and rollover sensors cut in much too soon, ruining what could've been a fun drive through the hills north of San Francisco, though one could interpret this as the Edge's promise to reign things in at the slightest hint of trouble.