It was time for some change. For 2015, Ford brought some serious improvement with the second-generation Edge. For 2016, Ford sprinkled in additional features and more standard equipment. The Edge is unique, offering more interior space than most crossovers in its class without stepping into the three-row category. The 2016 Ford Edge Sport makes a very compelling case to be the home-grown alternative to imported crossover luxury and performance.

Choices, choices; there’s a laundry list of trim lines and standalone options available for the Edge. With the way Ford organized the Edge model lineup, you’re bound to get exactly what you want. There’s about 11 configurations to choose from, and that doesn’t include the standalone options. Ford  touts a bold exterior design and credit is due here, it’s an eye-catching crossover. The Edge has confidence stance with its raised beltlines and sharp angles. If you’re one for color, the Electric Spice is one to try. It’s not for everyone, but with the optional 21-inch premium black wheels, you will certainly feel noticed. 20-inch polished wheels with painted accents are standard. The Sport also comes with a Piano Black Grille and a unique headlamp appearance.

The interior of the 2016 Ford Edge is inviting with soft-touch materials throughout. It feels significantly improved with better materials compared to other Ford models we tested previously. The steering wheel is standard across all trim levels and it was a bit too thin. We had hoped for a beefier steering wheel in the Sport to complement its other features. The Sync 3 infotainment system is new for 2016. It’s certainly easier to use with a new interface. Instead of the 4 quadrants, you have a more traditional layout with virtual buttons displayed at the bottom of the screen. We also noticed a quicker response time to voice commands. The Edge came with rear inflatable seat belts (a new first for Limited Slip Blog). The cabin feels spacious with plenty of room for your passengers and cargo. With the rears seats up, it has 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space and with the seats down, a whopping 73.4 cubic feet.

There’s an engine choice for everyone. The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 245 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque comes standard on all trim levels except the Sport. Ford developed something special for the Sport – a turbocharged 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine with an output of 315 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is rather promising given the amount of power and weight of the vehicle. It’s rated 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway with 20 mpg combined. It’s not too shabby compared to an optional naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 (280 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque) which gets the same city fuel economy and 25 mpg highway (same combined); you get more power and suffer negligibly. It also comes exclusively with Intelligent AWD. For some, a drawback to the Sport is towing capacity. It is limited to 2,000 pounds because it is not eligible for the tow package. The Edge Sport is a lot of fun to drive. It’s hard to say about an SUV, but true. The sport-tuned suspension provides more control and the steering offers a nice weight and feel, for a crossover. For those all about comfort, be forewarned that the Edge Sport is stiffer than the base model. A 15% stiffer chassis helps with the handling, but the sport suspension and plus-sized wheels are a detriment to ride quality.

As corny as it sounds, the Ford Edge is “edgy.” Its engine is impressive; the 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine is downright quick. The Sport is much more than simply a badge and goes well beyond just an upgraded motor. Ford designed an SUV that looks different from the norm, has plenty of power and handles like car. State of the art technology, like the optional blind-sport monitoring with cross-traffic alert, front 180-degree camera, lane-keep assist, and park assist, only sweetens the deal. Ford has also made it’s Sync 3 interface more user friendly while increasing accuracy of its voice commands. For many the Ford Edge will fit the bill for those who want the best of both worlds.

-Danielle Assenheimer