We hate to crap on Ford if they're doing something right, so maybe the Ford Edge will be decent after all. Kicking Tires reports: 2007 Ford Edge: First Look.
No, we're not backsliding: The interior is still crappier than the exterior. What do we mean? Feel the stuff. Sit in it. A Camry costing $8K less will feel better. Sure, the Camry isn't as utilitarian or versatile, but if you aren't using the Edge for that (and no one will be using it for that all of the time), you'll be a bit disappointed.
It's the same reason folks are crapping on the Five Hundred. We find the Five Hundred to a handsome car. And one that doesn't need to be shuttled off to the rental world—IF Ford would spend some time and money refining it.
There are two things Detroit still has to learn (probably more, but our statistical team—the coffee—arrived late today):
1. Don't cheapen the parts we touch and use every day.
2. Your current product can be made better.
The Japanese manufacturers understand this, and that's why the Camry feels better at a lower price and why the Camry gets better every year. Hell, it's a decent looker now—we'da never looked at the thing before, but now it's got itself some style.
The 500 needs to look like an American car (whatever that means these days). The designer did 'em wrong by just transferring a VW/Audi look over to Ford's flagship. Now's a good time to make it stand out while the competition's busy making Mazdas or Acuras clones. And get those special engines with cylinder shut-off, hybrids and E85s, too. Maybe a Galaxie model to head off the 300 Hemi.
Posted by: Angel C | Monday, September 25, 2006 at 02:15 PM