Sporty, sleek Ford Edge

Even if your jaunts around town don’t take you over the rugged terrain 007 faces in the latest epic, “Quantum of Solace” chances are you’ll enjoy driving this sporty crossover. It boasts 22-inch polished wheels and an eight-piece body kit that gives it a sleeker look and feel than most of its competitors; there’s no “soccer mom” stigma attached to the Edge.

Just as you’d expect, the car drives well and has plenty of room for a five-seater. And again, it looks great. But as we all know, looks aren’t everything.

Candidly, the car didn’t knock me out during the test drive. It handled fine, but the brakes were a bit disappointing making me seriously revise my standard braking methods even though I personally own a Ford SUV. That surprised me. Also, the acceleration was a bit sluggish. Some reviewers point at the SUV’s heavy curb weight  — – just over 4000 pounds – for that lack of pep. Whatever the cause, it is a bit daunting especially when driving in highway traffic.

But that’s not to say there isn’t a lot to like in the Edge, notably its 17-mpg city/24 mpg highway ratings for front-wheel drive and 15 mpg city/22 mpg highway for all-wheel drive.

Powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine with 265 horsepower, the SUV’s six-speed automatic transmission kicks in to offer extra bursts of energy depending on terrain.

According to Ford, the secret in the AWD is an intelligent system that monitors and predicts traction, delivering torque to all four wheels before the car begins to slip. Basically, the SUV transfers torque front-to-rear and side-to-side.

That’s one of the best things about Ford; they do build in a plenty of safety features — including electronic stability control. On the Edge, it earned it a five-star crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Inside, the SUV boasts the Ford SYNC audio and navigation systems, which in 2009 will add 911 assist (with no monthly fees).

Soft, ambient lighting, roomy two-row seating and a roomy cargo space make excellent use of the interior.

For those who like options, the Edge offers a Vista Roof, which is a large 27.3 inches by 29.4 inches, and many pretty extra including smoked headlamp and tail lamp lenses and seat fabric options.

For those who want a roomy SUV that doesn’t guzzle gas or feel extra bulky on the road, the Ford Edge is a definite contender.

2009 Ford Edge

(Note: No modifications have been made to the 2009 model since the mid-2008 models)

Engine: 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V-6

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Fuel Economy:17-mpg city/24 mpg highway ratings for front-wheel drive; 15 mpg city/22 mpg highway for all-wheel drive.

MSRP: Starting at $26,130