The 2011 Ford Edge comes out highly updated – additional power, exterior design, diminished wind and road noise, better interior quality and innovative features, to name a few.

In the recent years, the Edge is a bit dry in comparison to Ford’s other vehicles in terms of updates and design. But this 2011, the Ford Edge receives some attention. With these updates, the Edge is looking good as an affordable midsize SUV.

Engine & Performance

The Ford Edge drives smoothly and accelerates well. The brakes and handling, that disappointed test drivers previously, have been improved.

The Edge’s 3.5 liter V6 engine receives an upgrade for 2011. Now it is capable of delivering 285 horsepower. Fuel economy is better. On the other hand, the Sport model has a 3.7 liter engine capable of producing 305 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The braking hardware is also updated.

The 3.5 liter V6 engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The SEL and Limited models get a SelectShift Automatic but have a manual shifting mode. The Sport models’ 3.7 liter engine comes with the six-speed SelectShift Automatic transmission with paddle activation.

The Edge’s handling is positively notable. However, the Sport models don’t quite go as smoothly as other models because of its sport suspension but may be preferred by those looking for a fun ride. In the past, there were complaints about the braking but that may not be the case now since Ford has upgraded the four-wheel disc brakes for 2011. Stopping distance is improved by 20 percent.

Exterior

The Ford Edge features a modern style which makes it distinctive from other box-looking crossover SUV’s. A look at the Edge’s external properties reveals a more prominent chrome grill clad by LED running lights. The Edge still looks athletic and generally pleasing to the eye.

The Sport model has more enhancements including 22-inch polished aluminum wheels which are some of the largest fitted on a crossover SUV.

Interior

On the inside, better materials and high-tech electronics interface makes the Edge look and feel very first-class. The electronics interface called Ford’s MyTouch comes in a touch-screen display with additional voice commands that compliments the existing Sync system.

The space inside of the 2011 Edge is comparatively roomy and boasts off comfortable and child-friendly rear seats. The Edge can seat five people and this is ideal for families. There is no third row seat. However, this leaves more space for the second row. It can even recline which is not a feature on some SUV’s.

Most models have cloth seats while leather-trimmed seats are fitted in the Sport and Limited models. Base models offer manually-adjustable seats while the SEL trades them for a six-way power driver’s seat. Limited and Sport models come with heated front seats as a standard. This feature is optional on the SEL.

Previously, the Edge’s interior could not be called luxurious but now it’s getting closer. The MyFord Touch system controls most of the car’s functions and has a very good interface. Less tech-savvy users will need time to learn these controls though.

The MyFord Touch is offered as a standard on the Limited and Sport models and optional on the SEL. It is not available on the base SE model.

The Edge provides a cargo space of 32.2 cubic feet behind the second row which can be expanded to 68.9 cubic feet with those seats folded down. This cargo space is not far from the 2010 model.

Safety & Reliability

When it comes to safety, the Ford Edge is excellent. In government crash tests, the 2011 Ford Edge scored an overall four stars out of five. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated the Edge “good” in frontal, side impact and rear crash protection tests. While the Edge received “acceptable” in roof strength tests.

Other safety features of the Ford Edge are standard dual stage front airbags, front seat mounted side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags, four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes, and AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control.

The 2011 Ford Edge scored eight out of ten in reliability. This is its Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. The Edge’s basic warranty is for the first three years or 36,000 miles. It also offers a power-train warranty for the first five years or 60,000 miles.

The Competition

The market offers efficient and more affordable competitors for the 2011 Ford Edge. One is the Toyota Highlander (MSRP $28,090.00; 20 city/ 25 hwy). Also, the Mazda CX-7(MSRP $21,990.00; 20 city/ 28 hwy) saves almost $6,000 in comparison to Edge’s base price.

Pros & Cons

All in all, the 2011 Ford Edge is a good SUV choice because of its handling, exterior and interior enhancements and its MyFord Touch controls. However, these options can inflate the price into high levels. The base model is a little meager and the lack of a third row seat may be unappealing.

Overall Rating
69 out of 100

What others say:

“By masterfully combining the best attributes of a responsive but comfortable sedan with those of a versatile and roomy SUV, the 2011 Ford Edge fulfills the promise of the Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV) like no other example to date.” KBB

“The 2011 updated Edge received a new interior, upgraded V6 engines, suspension improvements, and a turbocharged four-cylinder engine.”Consumer Reports

“Provided you don’t need a third-row seat, the 2011 Ford Edge is at last, at the leading edge of mid-size crossovers, with one of the best driver interfaces in the business.”The Car Connection

“The 2011 Ford Edge gets a major freshening, with revised styling, a new interior, and new engines. This is the smaller of Ford’s midsize SUVs. Edge seats 5 and is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.” Consumer Guide

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: SUV Crossover	Base Price: $ 27,640.00
Fuel Tank Capacity: 18 gallons	Miles Per Gallon: 18 city / 25 hwy

Dimensions

Length: 184.2 in. (468 cm)	Width: 76 in. (193 cm)
Height: 67 in. (170 cm)	Weight: 4082 lbs (1852 kg)
Wheel Base: 111.2 in. (282 cm)	Ground Clearance: 7.9 in. (20 cm) unladen
Luggage Capacity: Max. Cargo Vol. 68.9 cu ft	Maximum Seating: 5

Performance

Engine: 3.5L Twin independent Variable Cam Timing (TiVCT) V6	Compression Ratio: 10.8:1
Horsepower: 285 hp	Max RPM: 6500 rpm
Torque: 253 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	Transmission: 6-speed automatic
0-60 mph: N/A	1/4 Mile: N/A

Available Trims & Engine

Option:SEL 3.5L (TiVCT) V6	MSRP: $30,650; MPG: 19 city / 27 hwy
Option:Limited 3.5L (TiVCT) V6	MSRP: $31,350; MPG: 19 city / 27 hwy
Option:Sport 3.7L (TiVCT) V6	MSRP: $36,925; MPG: 18 city / 25 hwy
Option:Sport 3.7L (TiVCT) V6 AWD	MSRP: $38,775; MPG: 17 city / 23 hwy

As a car maker, Lamborghini has made a name for itself for its extreme cars that never holds back in pursuit of maximum performance. They always turn out with finely crafted vehicles that are distinctively theirs, may it be on production models or with prototypes. While it’s the production models that get all the accolades, the prototypes are just as desirable, if not more. One prototype that has just been released is the 2011 Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Concept.

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: Supercar

Est. Price: $2,500,000.00

Back in 2001, the Ford Escape was introduced, it was a great hit. It had just the right size, pleasant driving dynamics and an available V6. It led a trend because there were not so many choices for affordable compact SUV’s. However, with the competition nowadays, age is catching up on the 2011 Ford Escape.

Nevertheless, there are many things positive about the Ford Escape. Most find it attractive inside and out. Tech-savvy people may be enticed by the technological features for both function and entertainment. There are also the MyKey and Auto Park options (more on these later).

Engine & Performance

The Ford Escape trims all have a standard 2.5 liter four-cylinder engine that provides 171 horsepower. A 240 horsepower 3.0 liter V6 engine is available on all except the base XLS. It is paired with a five-speed transmission which is manual or six-speed transmission on automatic.

The Escape’s performance is well below class leaders. There were complaints about its ride, which is not very smooth compared to newer crossovers.

The fuel economy of the Escape is good for its class. The front-wheel drive four cylinder model scores 22/28 mpg city/highway in manual and 21/28 mpg with the automatic. All wheel drive four cylinder models score 20/26 with the automatic.

The Ford Escape drives nicely but falls behind in sophistication and mechanical finesse compared to newer models. However, parking and low-speed maneuvers are easy to do thanks to the electronic power steering.

Exterior

The design for the 2011 Ford Escape’s exterior has not changed since the 2008 redesign. The looks leans more towards the truck types rather than a crossover. These may be a good point depending on the taste of the consumer.

Interior

The interior design of the Escape is laced with softer materials. However, it still stirs up varied opinions from consumers and reviewers.

The Escape offers five seats which make it spacious but other features could have been added for more comfort. The non-sliding seats in the rear make passengers unable to opt for more legroom. The base model only has a physical two-way driver’s seat which might make it hard for the driver to sit comfortably.

Parents have a friend in the MyKey system. It is a feature that allows them to set speed limits and stereo volumes on the Escape.

Parallel parking would also be more convenient thanks to the Auto Park feature. It enables the vehicle to parallel park itself with very little driver involvement.

Safety & Reliability

The 2011 Escape has not been crash tested yet but its predecessor scored five stars out of five in the front, as well as the side crash, tests. This can also be expected on the 2011 models because of standard features such as antilock brakes, traction control, stability controls, front-seat side airbags and full length curtain-type airbags. The Escape’s frontal-offset and side tests got a “Good”. It was given “Marginal” on the roof strength tests.

The new Ford Escape gets a seven out of ten score in the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. It comes with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The Competition

The Escape’s competitors have increased significantly from the past years. The Toyota RAV4 (MSRP $22,475; 22 city / 28 hwy) has a larger cargo space, more horsepower and optional third-row seats. The Escape is cheaper, though.

Consumers may also take a look at the Honda CR-V(MSRP $21,895; 21 city/ 28 hwy). It also has extra cargo space and its base engine is more powerful than the Ford’s but it doesn’t have a V6 option so consumers needing more power can just go with the Escape.

The cheaper Hyundai Santa Fe (MSRP $21,845; city 20/ 28 hwy) has better gas mileage and longer warranty than the Escape so it’s also a good option.

Pros & Con

To summarize, the 2011 Ford Escape has good points in fuel economy and technological features while it comes short in terms of interior versatility. The interior controls may also be confusing for some.

Overall Rating
68 out of 100

What others say:

“The Escape has a roomy interior, a spacious rear seat, and good cargo space. Fit and finish is unimpressive, and the car is noisy. The V6 provides strong acceleration and 19 mpg overall.”Consumer Reports

“The Ford Escape is a compact crossover SUV that offers a tall, boxy layout that’s good for passengers and cargo plus just enough ruggedness for very light off-roading.”The Car Connection

“The 2011 Ford Escape sees no major changes. This compact SUV is a 5-passenger, 4-door wagon that includes a liftgate with opening glass. It lends its basic design to the Mercury Mariner and Mazda Tribute.”Consumer Guide

“The Escape’s sturdy 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is surprisingly capable of moving the little SUV’s weight with relative ease. But, if strong passing power and quick acceleration are more important than fuel economy, we recommend the optional 3.0-liter V6.”KBB

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: SUV	Base Price: $ 21,240.00
Fuel Tank Capacity: 17.5 gallons	Miles Per Gallon: 23 city / 28 hwy

Dimensions

Length: 174.7 in. (444 cm)	Width: 71.1 in. (181 cm)
Height: 67.9 in. (172 cm)	Weight: 3231 lbs (1466 kg)
Wheel Base: 103.1 in. (262 cm)	Ground Clearance: 8.4 in. (21 cm) unladen
Luggage Capacity: Max. Cargo Vol. 67.2 cu ft	Maximum Seating: 5

Performance

Engine: 2.5L Duratec I-4	Compression Ratio: 9.7:1
Horsepower: 171 hp	Max RPM: 6000 rpm
Torque: 171 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm	Transmission: 5-speed manual
0-60 mph: N/A	1/4 Mile: N/A

Available Trims & Engine

Option:XLS 2.5L Duratec I-4	MSRP: $24,670; MPG: 19 city / 25 hwy
Option:Limited 2.5L Duratec I-4	MSRP: $26,277; MPG: 18 city / 23 hwy
Option:Hybrid	MSRP: $30,570; MPG: 34 city / 31 hwy
Option:Hybrid Limited	MSRP: $33,080; MPG: 30 city / 27 hwy

For many years, Audi has been considered one of the best choice in luxury cars. With vehicle specifications geared towards the exterior and interior finesse, road performance, and fuel economy, this German company has been the choice of people who want to drive in style without sacrificing performance. One such model is the 2011 Audi A4.

The A4 is available in three different trims. The first trim is the 2.0T Premium, which features leather seating, automatic climate control settings, Sirius XM Satellite Radio, 17-inch wheels equipped with tires made for all seasons, and a four-spoke steering wheel also covered with leather.

Next is the 2.0T Premium Plus has all the known features of the previous trim, but with other added features like heated front seats, Bluetooth connectivity for cellular phones, and xenon headlights that have LED daytime running lights. The last trim available is the 2.0T Prestige, which has all the known features of the 2.0T Premiums Plus, but with more features like driver memory, Bang and Olufsen Sound System, 18-inch wheels fitted with tires made for all seasons, MMI Navigation plus, and an Audi advanced key.

Performance

The Audi A4 fares well performance-wise. It has all the necessary features, but it lacks the power that product lines like the BMW 3-Series possesses. The engine, although it does not have the most cutting-edge power of most high-end vehicles, it has average acceleration as well as exceptional fuel mileage.

Interior & Exterior

The interior design of the 2011 A4 looks absolutely gorgeous. It has an eye-catching and sophisticated design that may intimidate some people, in a good way. The curves and ends are very neat-looking, and the corners and lines are refined. The LED lights added on top of the headlights further give more class and style to the car’s statement.

The vehicle may have an eye-catching exterior, but the main highlight of this vehicle is the interior. It would not be surprising to hear if people seated inside feel like aristocrats while riding. The arrangements, seats, and details are all conveniently and practically arranged. In short, the interior has an impeccable design.

Safety

Possessing one of the top scores in safety tests, the car does well in terms of driver and passenger protection. It has all of the standard car security features such as the optional rear side airbags, traction control, electronic stability control, front seat side airbags, and side head curtain airbags. The car further improves its safety features on the Prestige trim, which offers a side assist feature. This helps the drivers observe the common blind spots of the car especially when driving more than 19 meters per hour.

Lastly, the car is fairly reliable with its 50000-mile or four year warranty, roadside assistance, free first scheduled maintenance appointment, and 12-year car against rust warranty.

Competition

When considering other cars comparable to the A4, the BMW 3-Series is the usual choice. These cars have been considered one of the best sports sedans in the world for their powerful performance, beautiful interior, and exceptional handling. The BMW 3-Series (MSRP $34,600; city 18/ 28 hwy) is significantly more expensive than the A4. The all-wheel drive makes it even pricier. The Infiniti G37 (MSRP $35,800; 19 city/27 hwy) is also an alternative.

The 2011 Audi A4, despite its lackluster engine power and steep base price, it shines as a staple in the Audi line with its stunning interior design, balanced handling, and exceptional fuel consumption.

Overall Rating
78 out of 100

What others say:

“The 2011 Audi A4 feels like a true sport sedan in most respects, though it doesn’t bring BMW or Infiniti levels of satisfaction near the limit.”Car Connection

“In Consumer Guide testing, AWD 2.0T sedans with the 6-speed automatic averaged 22.5-25.8 mpg. The 8-speed should improve upon those figures slightly.”Consumer Guide

“The cockpit is well constructed but a little cramped, with the center console intruding from the right and the door armrest from the left.”Consumer Report

“Great fuel economy; high-quality cabin; sporty handling; available wagon body style.”Edmunds

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: Sedan	Base Price: $32,300.00
Fuel Tank Capacity: 17.1 gallons	Miles Per Gallon: 21 city / 31 hwy (manual)

Dimensions

Length: 185.2 in. (470 cm)	Width: 79 in. (201 cm)
Height: 56.2 in. (142.7 cm)	Weight: 3626 lbs (1644 kg)
Wheel Base: 110.6 in. (280.8 cm)	Ground Clearance: XX in. (254 cm)
Luggage Capacity: 150 cu ft	Maximum Seating: 7

Performance

Engine: 2.0L TFSI® Engine 16 valve DOHC inline-4	Displacement: 2.0L
Horsepower: 211 hp	Max RPM: 6000 rpm
Torque: 258 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm	Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
0-60 mph: 6.4 seconds	1/4 Mile: NA

Available Trims & Engine

Option:Premium Plus	MSRP: $35,750; MPG: 21 city / 31 hwy
Option:Prestige	MSRP: $41,800; MPG: 21 city / 31 hwy
Option:Avant Premium	MSRP: $36,300; MPG: 21 city / 29 hwy
Option:Avant Premium Plus	MSRP: $39,700; MPG: 21 city / 29 hwy
Option:Avant Prestige	MSRP: $45,400; MPG: 21 city / 29 hwy
Option:S4 3.0 TFSI® Premium Plus	MSRP: $47,100; MPG: 18 city / 28 hwy
Option:S4 3.0 TFSI® Prestige	MSRP: $53,400; MPG: 18 city / 28 hwy

The benchmark of SUV has been raised once more. Mercedes-Benz has released a new SUV class model. The new 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class is the third generation SUV created by the German auto maker. Featuring the ML 350 4MATIC technology, that lowered the fuel consumption to 25 percent from its earlier models.

Despite its huge engine of 3.5 liter V6, it only gobbles 6 liters of fuel per 100 km and has a gas emission of only 58g of CO2 per kilometer. The SUV produces about 306 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque with an all-wheel drive arrangement, which makes better traction if you ever venture out of the road.

The SUV has a wide-ranging off-road traction control setting, you can choose from automatic for normal driving and two settings for off-road with winter, sports and trailer mode to haul something behind.

Power transfer is by seven-speed 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission that efficiently shift between gears so no power is wasted. The tire plays an additional role in lowering its fuel ingestion with its low rolling resistance. The interior is loaded with gadgets and fine leather. Airbags are also all over the place with an improvement of the body frame, which increased its safety capability, making this one of the safest SUV ever made.

Specifications

Vehicle Type: SUV	Base Price: $46,490.00
Miles Per Gallon: 15 city / 20 hwy	Curb Weight: 4974 lbs (2256 kg)
Engine: 3.5L DOHC 24 Valve V6	Horsepower: 268 hp
Max RPM: 6000 rpm	Torque: 258 lb-ft @ 2400-5000 rpm
Compression Ratio: 10.7:1	Towing Capacity: 4600 lbs (2087 kgs) 2WD
0-60 mph: 7.9 seconds	Maximum Speed: NA