Ford Edge -- First Drive: San Francisco - Remember the days of the Ford Bronco? Built on a truck frame but more akin to a wagon, the Bronco wasn't a sport utility vehicle, sport activity vehicle, or other such nonsense – it was just what the badge said – a Bronco. Those were good times, and much simpler than the SUV, SAV, CUV scene of 2006. However, it seems that the acronym-ed vehicle is here to stay, as the 2007 Edge delves deeper into the CUV (crossover utility vehicle) category, and if Ford gets its way, this new Fusion-based ride will serve as the icon of the burgeoning crossover community.

Company executives point to the iconic status of the Mustang and Explorer, suggesting that the crossover segment begs for such a vehicle, and claiming that the Edge fits the bill. In fact, they're confident that more than 100,000 of these new wheeled icons will sell in the U.S. each year, taking their share of what Ford expects will be a three-million-strong segment within a few short years. Because of its role in this blossoming market, not to mention Ford's need for a profitable hit, executives see the 2007 Edge as “the single most important launch of the year.” How's that for pressure?

For the most part, the Edge accepts the burden in stride, provided the tasks are limited to basic, everyday commutes. As a daily driver, the Edge offers an inviting, spacious cabin, a competent powertrain, inoffensive styling, and cool options like power folding rear seats and a huge glass roof. What it lacks is a sporting nature (no current sport package, no sport mode for the transmission) and an available third row seat. Ford points to other models in its lineup for the passenger capacity issue, which basically disregards buyers the Edge brings into the flock who want the crossover's styling and three rows of seating (Mazda does the same with the CX-7 and CX-9, but those vehicles offer very similar styling). And the sporting nature thing? Buyers are out of luck, at least for now.

What you're left with is a vehicle that has one or two noteworthy features, yet little else that separates it from an extremely competitive pack, and falls a few letters short of iconic. Ultimately, the “edge” goes to the competition.