Bill Pierre Ford

Ford is turning plenty of heads with its Edge crossover. Virtually all owners we heard from listed the sporty, standout appearance at the top of their reasons for purchase. “The Edge just doesn’t look like another box on wheels going down the road, let alone parked at the mall,” wrote one owner.

Another reports admirers mistaking his car for a Lexus and being pleasantly surprised when they discover it’s a Ford, featuring “a nicely designed exterior that distinguishes it in a very crowded field.” The Edge also scores high with owners on ride quality. “It is a confident and solid-driving vehicle,” said an owner.

Respondents praised the comfortable and quiet accommodations. “The Edge’s interior also feels much more spacious than many other larger SUVs,” said one owner, who believes the Edge trumps the Lexus RX 350 and the Nissan Murano in outward visibility, ingress and rear legroom.

Perhaps the only way to make the Roush Performance Nitemare look more sinister is to paint the whole truck flat black. Otherwise, it’s as mean as the name suggests.

One problem with trucks is that they handle like, well, trucks. Roush has a good solution with its optional sport suspension. The package lowers the Nitemare with coil springs up front, leaf springs out back and longer shackles to drop the rear end further. Bilstein shocks improve control. Now if there were only an equally impressive upgrade for the brake system.

In day-to-day use, the 445 hp and 500 lb-ft make living with this beast something of a joy. There’s always power to pass, and it’s great fun to surprise unsuspecting sports-car owners off the line. The 5.4-liter V8 now requires premium fuel, but even with that, it was easy to average a relatively impressive 15 mpg in mixed driving, without the feather foot.

The instant surge of power from the roots-type blower roasts the rear tires or rockets it to its 105-mph speed limiter with lots of audible whine the whole time. Roush officials say there is potential for more top speed, but that would require a new driveshaft and possibly other upgrades. Yes: It is easy to question why anyone needs to go more than 100 mph in any truck.

Should you drop $16,400 on this Nitemare package, it includes a front chin spoiler, dual exhaust, 20-inch chrome rims, lots of black trim pieces, special leather buckets, a billet aluminum grille, unique gauges, aluminum pedals and a 3.73 limited-slip rear axle in addition to the Roushcharger system. Only 100 copies will be built. Want one? Talk to your local Ford dealer fast!