First off, it makes the car look much more solid: The four wheels are near each corner giving the Edge a look of being planted firmly on the road. More important, this is not just about looks. A long wheelbase and wide track make for a more stable vehicle because the mass of the vehicle is inside the wheels. A go-kart is the ultimate expression of this look. We're not suggesting the Edge looks like a go-kart, but its aggressive stance makes it stand apart from the tippy look of traditional SUVs with relatively narrow track measurements and massive front and rear overhangs.

The Edge features Ford's newly rediscovered bold, American design. The big chrome grille is placed well forward and has wide chrome slats that merge into the relatively small headlights at each side. The high hood is short as the windshield rakes forward more like a sports car or modern minivan.

Despite having a relatively high waist line with shallow side windows, the Edge does not appear as stubby as photographs sometimes suggest. The sporty look is helped by pronounced fender flares and large wheels. The rear tailgate slopes quite significantly and is nicely rounded, avoiding the truck-like rear tailgates found on many SUVs. We found the rear design to be a cross between a Lexus RX and a BMW X3, which cannot be a bad thing.

To top it all off, the optional Vista Roof adds expansive twin glass moonroofs that cover the whole roof providing all passengers with a clear view of the sky. There is only a foot-wide panel between the front and rear panels that is not transparent.