Rental Car Review: Taking An Edge Off The Weather

The forecast called for thunderstorms that were considered pretty bad for our climate. The way the meteorologists presented this forecast prompted one of the most respected car groups in the Twin Cities to cancel their monthly car meet in Saint Paul. 

Gee, I was going to go to that event…

It was quite humid the Saturday I rented a 2022 Ford Edge Titanium. The weather did not stop me from taking a relaxing drive along the Saint Croix River on both the Minnesota and Wisconsin side. 

Before I talk about my Saturday drive, let me talk briefly about the Ford Edge itself. 

Let me start with some truth. In the past, I had mixed feelings about Ford’s two-row tweener SUV/crossover. It is not the most balanced vehicle in terms of weight and performance. You could opt for the ST with its twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 and its performance advantage, but not everyone would appreciate Ford Performance’s entry to the SUV cult. 

Most likely, a consumer – rather, a rental car customer – would end up with one powered by the 250-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine. Even with the eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, I had to do the math regarding the weight of the Edge and overall performance. 

This is a two-row mid-size-ish SUV weighing in somewhere below 4,200 pounds. While 280 pound-feet of torque seems adequate for this vehicle, there is a feeling that it could use some more grunt to overcome the occasional struggle you’ll feel when you start to speed up on the highway or coming out of stop lights. 

All of the sudden, it settles down. The Edge drives just fine. Some roll and lean beyond the limit, but you have to remember that you’re driving this vehicle for pleasure, not to keep pace your buddies to a car meet.

The Ford Edge was the best choice for a relaxing drive anywhere – rain or shine. My Titanium rental does not induce quick runs to defy the weather. It is just for toddling along a state highway past small towns and Wisconsin taverns without any worry about what time it was on the 12-inch screen in the center stack. 

There seems to be some updates Ford made on the Edge. Granted, this is a design that has been around since the 2015 model year. Over time, Ford made several updates inside and out to keep the Edge fresh on consumer’s minds. The big update for 2019 made a big impact on this SUV with the addition of a new look and some performance changes. 

Last year, Ford rolled out a few updates outside, while adding the new center stack to keep up with the latest Explorer, F-150, and Mustang Mach-E. The 12-inch screen is in a portrait orientation and driven by Ford’s SYNC 4A infotainment system. While there are plenty of touch functions for the screen, a few tactile controls sit below the screen itself. 

Yet, as I sit tall, the cowl is low. Is that a good thing. It is debatable whether it is perhaps too low for me to glance down at the instrument cluster when I need to. It could use head-up display…or, am I asking too much?

One point that needs to be made: The instrument cluster is clearly outdated. Especially with the new full screen clusters found on various other models in the Ford lineup. Just saying…

Back to my wandering. The Edge Titanium saw some roads I have not traversed in quite some time…maybe a year or so ago? Once I crossed into Wisconsin from Taylors Falls, I set up; on Wisconsin Highway 87 towards Grantsburg just to fulfill my curiosity. I veered away from the river, as it made its bend towards Minnesota for that famous “mouth” shape you see on the map.

From Grantsburg, I headed to Siren for a turn southbound on Wisconsin Highway 35. The last time I was on this stretch of this highway, it was grated up to be resurfaced for tens of miles. The new tarmac made for a lovely ride down towards Somerset and Hudson. 

As I entered Somerset, I noticed something almost familiar. There was a 1973 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Luxury Sedan for sale on the side of Wisconsin Highway 35 in Somerset, Wisconsin. I had to stop and take a look. It was practically equipped like my first car – a 1972. Instead of tan, this one was green. Green on green on green. This big Olds was beautiful. Believe it or not, it only had over 40,000 miles on the odometer. 

The owner was asking $9,700 for it. I did not have the courage to call the seller knowing full well that I do not have that kind of money in my bank. I took some photos, jumped back in the Edge and headed down to Hudson. 

The rest of the drive was as relaxing as I hoped. No drama on the road. The weather took a break, and the roads began to dry up. 

There is one final point to be made about the Ford Edge on this little outing: The “Boomer Test.” Rather, testing the practicality of its cargo hold, as well as the rear seat. Behind the rear seats is 39.2 cubic feet of space. And yes, you can roll Boomer’s bag headfirst into the Edge. Plus, the drum had a comfortable ride throughout our excursion. That would be a “pass.” 

Sometimes, you need to take a nice drive in the country to clear your head. Believe me, I needed a lot of head clearing with various goings on in my life – too numerous to list here. With the assistance of a rented 2022 Ford Edge Titanium, my head felt better. I was able to hold off on responding to e-mails until Monday without interference to my soul. 

When you face a wall of stress, get in a vehicle and go for a drive. Find a place you have never been to – or, have not visited in a while. Discover something new while you’re at. Put on some good music (I added another track from Sam Fender’s album “Seventeen Going Under” and a few other tracks from Apple Music) and enjoy the drive. 

That’s all you need to manage your life. 

DISCLAIMER: Vehicle rented by Victory & Reseda

All photos by Randy Stern