2010 Ford Edge Sport

Ford’s high-performance interpretation of their crossover, the Edge Sport is a rolling advertisement for the blue oval brand. The sporty appearance not only turns heads but will leave gawkers jaws glued to the floor. The Sport version is not for everyone, potential Edge Sport owners are looking for the added styling and aggressive attitude associated with a vehicle that rides on stunning 22 inch polished rims and is dressed up with an audacious 8 piece body kit. One thing is for certain, positioned in the front of any showroom, the Sport version is guaranteed to sell a few more regular Edge models.

The most striking feature on the vehicle are the enormous 22 inch polished aluminum wheels. It is hard to believe that Ford is going above and beyond what any other manufacturer is equipping their vehicles with. The real bonus from the larger rims are the 265 width Pirelli Scorpion tires that not only look great, but the added width and grip bring the stopping distance down by about ten feet, not to mention that the little scorpions look cool. Where the standard Edge would have black plastic trim, the Sport replaces them with color matched bold body pieces. However the Edge Sport is not just a base Edge with some shiny rims and an appearance package. The suspension has been retuned for a more performance oriented driving experience without the usual harshness associated with slammed vehicles supported by low profile rubber. The Edge Sport has also received extensive bracing to the undercarriage to increase the structure’s rigidity and make the most of the new suspension setup.

The interior has been dressed up with Cobra inspired Alcantara inserts into the seats that fit perfectly with the Sport’s persona. The steering wheel, seats and shifter have all been dressed up with decorative stitching to match the synthetic suede from the bucket seats. The roof has also been upgraded with what Ford calls a Panoramic Vista, which is basically two large sunroofs that replace the majority of the sheet metal and allow for a spectacular view of the outside world. My favorite feature of the upgraded Edge is the center console. It is surrounded with a brushed aluminum piece with little “Sport” logos etched into the metal surface.

Although the engine is untouched from the regular model, the Sport doesn’t lack power. If you put your foot down and wait until the 3.5 liter V6 climbs into the upper portion of it RPM band the 265 HP is more than enough to throw you back firmly into the two tone bucket seats. The vehicle handles well with the revised suspension, but do not expect to see the Edge Sport participating in any track days. The ride is more about handling better than the base model, not that it is impossible to make a 4000+ pound car handle incredibly well, but they tend to come in a package that is about 10 times more expensive than the $39,000 Edge Sport. Another place where the rather hefty curb weight is felt is in the braking; even with the sticky Pirelli rubber the initial feel of the stoppers is a bit weak. Perhaps a set of multi-piston over sized brakes could solve that problem, and fill in the 22 inch rims at the same time.

The Edge Sport is a bold statement from the blue oval brand saying that even in hard economic times, the company is not afraid to inject a little excitement into their lineup. With seating for five, lots of cargo space and extreme styling the Ford Edge Sport is exactly the kind of vehicle we like to see here at Top Speed.