[Zabo]

Ok, scratching the Explorer:

2007 Ford Edge SEL AWD

9K Miles, total brake system rebuild. Short story: Lost all braking power. Had it towed and found it a factory fault with the master cylinder..ABS sensors.. etc.

Paint: Same water base issue that plagues GM and Chrysler. Damn EPA

Performance: was an afterthought. It's basically a glorified people mover without a 3rd row. Sounds ok from the inside, though. Explorer sounds much better though (lol)

Interior: Chrome plated plastics and a few bits of actual chrome here and there. Gauges were alright, stylish and functional. Later models fixed some of the location issues and for what its worth. Seats aren't comfortable for more than say 20 minutes. I've driven both the Explorer and the Edge on an identical route (2.5 hrs both ways 5 hrs total) and the Explorer's comfort is much BETTER than the Edge. How does that work? Also I never understood the forward jutting head rests; THE most annoying thing about the car. The 'padded dash' is no more padded than say an arm rest on a Silverado 2500HD Work truck so..lol? Plastic Fantastic Hand controls on the steering wheel were just.. TOO multifunction. I've come to hate them actually. The Camaro's deep dish set is preferable to the setup the Edge has and again I prefer the simple cruise controls on my '01.

Not the greatest and I wish we got more for a 36K CUV. I'd have to sit in a Equinox in January but I have a feeling that it may outclass the Edge in interior feel and comfort.