Let’s get the obvious bad pun out of the way: Considering the stormy financial news swirling around Ford these days, they could use an Edge. Did I just hear a rim shot? This may not be BusinessWeek, but it’s clear tough times have descended in Dearborn. The Blue Oval folks have high hopes for this week’s featured vehicle, the Edge. I’m driving a top-of-the-line all-wheel drive SEL Plus model loaded with options.

NWCN

The stout wedge-like silhouette of the Edge gets a lot of positive attention.

Wearing the new three-bar corporate chrome face, this chunky and handsome rig should help Ford weather the current storm. I’ll cut to the chase, this crossover is a pretty well done vehicle. You may be too timid to invest in Ford stock but this urbane sport ute is a good bet.

Part of the reason for that is that it’s built on the same architecture as the well regarded Mazda CX-7. This is a busy platform. It also does duty underneath the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln MKZ and MKX plus the Mazda 6.

Supporting that many vehicles one would hope the architecture is solid. It is. Under an Edge body it has a different personality than it’s closest cousin, the CX-7. The Mazda feels lighter and sportier because, well, it is. Edge has a more solid and hefty manner about it.

Hit a bump and the structure shrugs it off with hardly a quiver. There isn’t a lot of body roll in the corners either. Ride quality is firm but comfortable. The Ford’s steering is nicely weighted but isn’t as responsive as the Mazda’s set-up. Consider yourself informed and make the appropriate choice.

I like the stout wedge-like silhouette of the Edge but I’m still surprised by the amount of positive attention it’s getting. Other drivers do double takes as it rolls on by. I’m answering a lot of questions in parking lots too. Folks like it, especially the grille.

All Edges are motivated by a 3.5 liter 265 horsepower Duratec V6 that puts out 250 lb- ft of torque. While you may have heard the Duratec name before, this is an all-new engine. The 6-speed automatic transmission that it’s mated to does not have a manual shift feature. Few may use this feature but I miss it.

Acceleration is quick, not fast. Here’s something to focus on during your test drive though. Lift off the accelerator during a hard run and the transmission likes to hang onto its lower ratio for a beat or two. I find it distracting though hardly a deal breaker. With the transparent automatic all-wheel drive system, I’m averaging 18 MPG.

NWCN

The cabin has a quality look to it, with an edgy design.

The cabin has a quality look to it. There are a few too many seams on the upper dash for my taste but overall the design is pleasantly, uh, edgy. Metal trim on the center stack and gauge faces is unique and handsome. It’s easy to get comfortable here. The firm supportive seats have heat, memory settings and side torso airbags. There are full-length curtain units, too.

My loaded SEL Plus tester is full of features. My fave is the panoramic roof or in Ford-speak the Vista Roof. Two panels of tinted glass replace the top  for a terrific airy feel. The front panel glides open to offer the closest thing to a convertible SUV available today. A motorized fabric shade keeps things cool on sunny days. As a ragtop fan I find this $1,395 feature a must-have option.

There are the expected storage cubbies, some with removable rubber liners. The dividable center console is huge. My antique and gigantic 17” laptop won’t quite fit inside but yours probably will. I find Ford’s satellite navigations systems easy to use and the sound system is iPod friendly with an aux jack in the console. Order the Vista Roof and you have to forgo the DVD entertainment system. That’s OK, the kids watch too much TV anyway.

NWCN

Metal trim on the center stack and gauge faces is unique and handsome.

Lock your keys inside? No problem. There’s a numeric pad on the door that accepts a code for entry. No OnStar needed.

Three adults will fit fine in the back seat. Two will be very relaxed with decent legroom and reclining seats. My jumbo widescreen computer slips under the cushion away from the eyes of thieves. It’s a good hiding place for the kid’s Gameboys and such.

To handle large cargo, Edge has optional EasyFold remote seat backs buttons in the trunk area. Push one or both and the split seats plunk down on their own. They aren’t motorized like some of Fords SUVs but it’s easy enough to raise them by hand. The front passenger seat also folds flat to haul long stuff.

Mostly because of the stylish forward rake of the rear window the Edge scores a 9 in the Toilet Paper Test. Remember, this test is always done with the second row in the usable position. This rating is a pack or two short of average for a crossover this size.

Other gripes? The silver metal-look trim on top of the dash reflects noticeably in the windshield (see the video). Curiously, not all the trim around the ventilation ducts is the same finish. Some is chrome, some matte silver.

Finally there’s the price. The Edge starts at a reasonable 26K for a front-drive SE model. My fully loaded SEL Plus is 9 grand north of that figure. That’s close to Lincoln MKX territory and Lexus RX350 territory. Word on the street is that many buyers are opting for well-equipped Edges.

A bit of trivia: Those who know their Fords know that Edge is not a new name. It was originally used as a designation for a sporty version of the Ranger pickup. And remember, long ago Explorer was originally a trim level on F150 pickups. My dad had one of those.

Edge doesn’t have a third row but in a vehicle this size it would be unusable anyway. Kudos to the Ford engineers for keeping the 5 passengers that use this space happy. Trying to squeeze in an extra row would compromise the everyday usefulness of this rig. Besides, Ford has 7-seat options called Explorer and Freestyle (which soon gets a major refreshening and the name “Taurus X”).   

Most buyers will find the Edge to be a stylish, versatile and comfortable crossover. It delivers most of what people are looking for in a 5-seat vehicle. As Highlander grows larger, Edge is competing against the likes of Nissan Murano, Chevy Equinox, Pontiac Torrent, and to some degree the Hyundai Santa Fe. Edge is just the edge Ford needs right now.