General Comments:

First of all, I absolutely enjoy my 2013 Ford Edge. I was a little skeptical at first about downsizing from a truck to a SUV, but it ended up being a great decision. 4/5 stars.

My criteria for a vehicle include:

- Affordability: Monthly payments, insurance, maintenance.

- Reliability: Have there been a history of reported problems.

- Options: Leather seats, heated seats, all-wheel drive, color.

- Utility: Is it able to haul/carry large or bulky items.

First, the Edge has been very affordable. I previously had an F-150; the payments, insurance and fuel are considerably less. The only cost that has increased has been the fee for the license tags for each year. Second, it has been an extremely reliable vehicle. There have been no mechanical issues to speak of, just the regularly scheduled maintenance. When it comes to options, I am somewhat picky. I like what I like. Heated leather seats, satellite radio, four or all-wheel drive, and the color being red, silver or black, have been requirements for me to make a vehicle purchase. Again, I can check the box on my must-haves; heated leather seats, all-wheel drive, satellite radio, and black paint. The only option I do wish was available would have to be vented seats for those hot summer days.

If you are in the market for a vehicle like this, you may fall into a couple of different categories. You probably have a family, might live in the suburbs, and are educated. For me, I can fit into what I would call the typical customer. I have a family and can attest that this is a great family car. The smooth ride does not wake up a sleeping baby. There is plenty of room in the back seat for multiple car seats and the leather seats make cleaning up messes a breeze.

As with anything, there will always be something that you wish was better. I have been impressed with this purchase, especially with the stigma that foreign vehicles are of a better quality. I would highly recommend this vehicle to anyone.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

It is a new vehicle, so I will go with general first impressions. Updates will follow in the future.

The styling in my opinion is very sleek and modern. Mine is in the Ruby Red Metallic and looks especially sharp in the sunlight. The car has LED accent lighting up front, along with LED taillights and brake lights.

The interior build quality is, I feel, impeccable. All switches and dials have a tactile feel to them. The leather seats are Dune (light tan) in color and are extremely comfortable.

This car has MyFordTouch and I had no issues whatsoever with the system in the previous car.

Ride quality is excellent, as my previous Escape had the low profile tires, which ride rather harshly. You can also carry on a quiet conversation at highway speeds, as road and wind noise are very minimal.

All in all, this is a great package, and my wife and I are very pleased early on with it.

Faults:

Within 16,000 miles (bought the car new): complete brake booster pump assembly failure (reported to NHTSA); wipers randomly stopped operating in rainstorms; APIM chip failure in MFT; corroded wiring, vapor/vacuum system issues, numerous random failures and operation stoppages in MFT (MyFordTouch).

General Comments:

Death trap. But, a comfortable, attractively styled and well-handling death trap.