Brand New Ford Edge AWD 2013 Automatic

The Edge was most recently updated in the 2011 model year, when it upped its base 3.5-liter V-6 by 20 horsepower to 285 hp, bettered its six-speed automatic and its handling, and upgraded the Sport's 3.7-liter to 305 hp. Last year, Ford dropped a new twist into the Edge, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four rated at 240 horsepower, good for decent acceleration and lineup-leading highway gas mileage of 30 mpg. All Edge crossovers comport themselves with a carlike feel. They have a firm but not busy ride, relatively quick steering, and the kind of predictable tall-wagon handling that makes them great choices for family commuters and carpoolistas--even the Edge Sport, with its massive 22-inch wheels.

Among the standard features are full-length curtain airbags and stability control with integral hill-start assist, which keeps the Edge from rolling backward at stops. The stability system also factors in trailer sway control, adapted from Ford's F-150 pickup trucks to correct for the wagging induced by towed loads.

Ford also offers a blind-spot monitor system, which flashes a light on the outside mirrors when a car in in the adjacent lane out of sight; cross-traffic alert can sense traffic approaching from the side when backing the car out of a parking space. Adaptive cruise control and collision warning are options; they use radar sensors to figure the distance to the car ahead and to detect imminent collisions.