Ford edge.

One of the most notoriously boring driving experiences in Saskatchewan is Highway 11 between our largest city, Saskatoon, and our provincial capital, Regina. One of my personal pastimes while driving this patch of asphalt is counting, where the big challenge is staying awake more than anything, but one of the things I will count is type of vehicles. I'll pick a specific make and model and throughout the duration of the drive, I'll make a mental note of how many of that car I see. I realize that this might sound about as much fun as watching paint dry, but it passes the time and if you pick certain vehicles, it is actually quite fascinating.

For years my go-to vehicles were Chevy Cavaliers and Pontiac Sunfires, because it seemed like there was no end to the amount of those cars on the road, but my recent tendency is towards the Ford Edge for my counting fodder. This may seem like an obscure choice, but when you take a step back and notice the vehicles around you, it is amazing to see how many of them are Ford Edges.

And it's understandable why they've become so popular. With a design that looks like the lovechild of a Nissan Murano and the Lincoln MKX, the smooth lines of the body and the large rims combine for a crossover that looks like luxury, but can drive aggressively if needed. The interior is even better. Spacious seating and a cohesive, flowing design create a level of comfort that you begin to take for granted because of how natural it feels.

Driving the Ford Edge is a treat. The comfortable and quiet cabin creates a bubble that allows the driver to shut out the noise and insanity happening outside. The easily understood climate controls and MyFord Touch systems keep you in control of your comfort with the 8" touch screen where you can store your favorite music and photos. The Edge also doesn't com-compromise interior space for fuel economy like many of the foreign crossovers tend to do. Its 11.1 L/ 100 km city fuel economy at the entry-level model doesn't differ very much from the higher-end versions, which makes all models affordable options.

I do have to criticize the user interface of the MyFord Touch system. I found that 201 Ts interface was much simpler to use and made more sense in its navigation. The fact that while in the controls for the satellite radio the title of the song playing could only be found in the gauge cluster in front of the driver was annoying. Not a big deal maybe, but it irked me.

There are very slight changes to the exterior of the 2012 model compared with the previous year's model, but the slight changes that were made have made the vehicle drastically more appealing. It amazes rne how much of a difference body-colored door handles can make to improve the overall appearance of the vehicle. The 2012 Edge Sport AWD is exceptionally appealing not only in its design, but also with its 6-speed SelectShift Automatic transmission and paddle shifting.

It's obvious why there are so many Ford Edges on Highway 11 going back and forth from Saskatoon to Regina and it has to do with more than aesthetics. The Edge has been called a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS and can be equipped with blind-spot detectors, parking monitors and rear-view camera to aide with all facets of driving. If you really want to spoil yourself, the Driver Entry Package can be purchased and includes remote start and power rear lift gate, both of which tend to be essential options for anyone on the go in Saskatchewan. With the impressive fuel economy and the comfort of the Edge, it is easily one of my top three Ford vehicles right now.

Specifications:

3.5 Litre V6 Engine 285 horsepower @ 6,500 RPM 253 Ib-ft torque @ 4000 RPM

6-speed SelectShift Automatic All-wheel Drive

Length: 4,679 mm

Width: 1,930 mm

Height: 1,702 mm

Wheel Base: 2,824 mm

1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) Towing Capacity