While we worry whether Ford Motor Co. will survive as a viable economic entity, Ford is desperately trying to stay relevant in a Japanese (and reviving General Motors)-dominated automotive world.

The 2008 Ford Edge is a deft and almost brilliant contender in a competitive field of "crossover" SUVs. Based on a common platform with Mazda’s CX-9, and equipped with a new (for Ford) 3.5 liter V6 Duratec 265 hp, 24-valve, DOHC engine and head-turning looks, this is a serious new thought from Ford.

Explorers, Freestyles and perhaps even Expeditions are instantly made obsolete by this vehicle.

The 2008 Ford Edge

Driving the Edge is a smooth, quiet experience; no kidding, those ads about how quiet the Edge is are accurate. You feel totally isolated from the outside world, road noise is almost nonexistent and the ride is compliant and comfortable in the Edge without the usual Detroit shake, rattle and roll. Cornering, aided by Ford’s Advance Trac with Roll Stability Control and traction control is good, although one feels the more than 4,000-pound weight of this "all-wheel drive" model when you throw it around a bit. The six-speed automatic transmission, a joint design between Ford and GM, adds to the very smooth nature of this beast.

The interior is a little ordinary looking, although the front seats are comfortable and the rear seats have lots of leg room. No third row seats in the Edge, but if that’s important to you, take a look at the Edge’s cousin, the Mazda CX-9. The rear cargo area is enormous with the rear seats folded flat. You could sleep in there for a night if necessary. A power option to fold the rear seats down is available, but it won’t bring them back up – so what’s the point? Some space was created around the "doughnut" spare tire for storing stuff, but that’s an option too! Seems like Ford was scratching around for more options to make an extra few dollars.

Fuel consumption, although not great at this time of expensive gas, is at 18 city/25 highway for the front-wheel drive and 17 city/24 highway for the all-wheel drive. It is better than most truck-based SUVs.

The warranty is pretty standard at 36 months and 36,000 miles with 60 months and 60,000 miles for the powertrain.

The Edge comes in six trims, the front-wheel drive $25,320 SE, $27,315 SEL, $29,070 SEL plus, and the all-wheel drive $26,970 SE, $28,965 SEL and $30,720 SEL plus.

Standard equipment on the SE includes power windows and door locks, remote key entry, privacy glass on rear doors, solar tinted driver passenger windows, tilt and telescope steering wheel, Advance Trac with Roll Stability Control, safety canopy with Rollover Sensor, Securilock Encrypted Passive Anti-Theft System, side impact airbags and Tire Pressure Monitoring System.

The SEL trim adds dual chrome exhaust tips, fog lamps, in-dash upgraded audio system with in-dash MP3 player and steering wheel controls, message center, six-way power driver’s front seat and auto dimming rear mirror.

The SEL Plus trim adds leather trimmed front and rear seats, dual electronic climate control, heated seats and exterior mirrors, steering wheel climate controls, six-way passenger power seat, and second row EasyFold remote seat release.

Options for the SE include a premium stereo system with six-disc in-dash changer for $320, convenience group for $295, Sirius radio for $195 and a trailer tow prep package for $350.

Options for the SEL include the trailer/tow package, $1,395 for a delightful dual moonroof, $2,380 for a navigation system and an upgraded nine-speaker stereo set up, $1,555 for a premium package that includes many of the SEL Plus features, $1,295 for rear DVD entertainment center, $985 for leather power passenger seat and power rear seat fold system and $245 for reverse sensing system.

Options for the SEL Plus include trailer tow package, moonroof, navigation system, DVD entertainment center, Sirius radio and reverse sensing system.

Ford appears to be on the right track with this SUV. It looks good, it drives well, it is usefully large inside and price and fuel consumption are decent. Ford needs to apply the same thinking to its other vehicles if it is going to be competitive in this aggressive market.

Motoring since 1952, Austin Lynas has owned 55 cars and at one time raced mini-sedans in England. An aerospace engineer, he was instrumental in developing the anti-skid systems used in British military aircraft that preceded today’s ABS systems. Lynas can be reached by e-mail at austin@sandiegometro.com.