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Makes sense in such a mass-produced vehicle. Production costs would be much higher if every single option was standalone. I do agree that HIDs should be something that is a standalone option for those who want it, or part of a less expensive package. The Japanese manufacturers are worse. With Acura for example, you have base, tech, and advance trim levels. That's it. Difference in price between them is very significant due to the differences in content, but it makes it so that there are no such thing as stand alone options. Just trim levels. Hmm. Your Edge is nice, but you might want to do some more research. Gen II Sport is significantly more powerful. It has an F150 engine, after all. Regarding the headlights, was it a 401A with HIDs and did you test drive at night? The HID bulbs in the 2016 are the same as your 2014. The 2016s haven't been sitting on dealer's lots for too long as they just went into production in mid December, so there are no incentives. For comparison, the 2015 I picked up a few weeks ago was heavily incentivized (thousands $ off).

^Accurate. I pay less for my Edge Sport than a friend pays for his SEL. A combination of excellent incentives available on the Sport when I got it a few weeks ago and the fact that he got his SEL right when they started hitting lots.

I would agree. I've driven a new Explorer with the LED headlights, and while they are bright, they're not as focused or long-range as HIDs. I think it's just Ford's design. We have a 2015 M4 with LED headlights and those are by far the best headlights I've ever seen at night.

$4000 down/$428 a month (36mo/12k mi a year). MSRP of $48,155.

Yes.

Yeah, I use the online payment estimator as a guide, but my payment is $40 less per month than what it indicated.

Not too uncommon, really. None of that is standard on most BMW/Mercedes/Audi/VW SUVs. They want you to pay for extra features, sadly. My moms $60k Mercedes ML doesn't have HID headlights and homelink and the lift gate were options.

I'll update you in a few days. I had a minor boo-boo in a roundabout last week (city bus cut me off, I hit the brakes, slid and tapped a curb). The damage to mine isn't very noticeable at all (1 inch or so), but I'm going to wet sand the scuff with some very fine grit sandpaper and then will apply some touch-up paint I purchased that hopefully is a close match. It's designed for Dodge Challenger/Charger matte black wheels. It's tricky because our black wheels aren't pure black, they have some gray to them. Link: https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/321911088505

I had one in my Fusion and it didn't do much for performance, but it did produce a nice "whoosh" noise when you got on it.

Might be a spring/summer project. Though, my bank account won't appreciate it much. I justify it as either I have one fun and practical DD or I buy a second car for weekend fun, which would be much more expensive. So in reality, I'm saving money with mods to the Edge. Thanks! Explorer has 80.7 cubic feet of cargo room while the Edge has 68.9-cubic-feet of capacity. I really think there is a TON of room behind the second row though. Would easily be enough for a family of four for vacation, etc. I have a move planned this summer and am looking forward to all the room (used to drive a Fusion).

DRLs look great. The fact that they offer them in green, red, or blue is slightly alarming, hope no one actually does that. How's the drop-in filter? Any noticeable change in performance or sound?

Happy to hear you're liking it. My mother has a 13 Mercedes ML350 I drive on occasion and I must say, I prefer the Edge's driving dynamics. Her ML is much louder and doesn't have nearly as many tech features. Luxury brands don't always mean better.

That definitely would be helpful, I'm not planning on changing wheels/tires at any point though. The 21s are just too damn good looking that I doubt anything could compete. The dealer suckered me into the wheel and tire insurance for $300. Seems reasonable, given 1) the cost of the Pirelli Scorpions 2) Michigan roads 3) the fact that I bent three rims and destroyed two tires on my Fusion due to potholes. Regarding the discount....what would the discount be on? The tune or the installation service?

Auto high beams are great. Never thought I'd care about them until I experienced them on the Edge. Only time I get worried about them blinding other drivers is when I'm driving through a hilly area.

Interesting. I have the OEM HIDs as well. I swapped the halogen bulbs out in my 2014 Fusion and the only way to replace bulbs in that car is to remove the front bumper and then you have to pull the entire headlight out. Just to change the bulbs. Really was a pain in the butt and I don't care to deal with it on Edge as wel.

That would be great. I'm sure they have some neat stuff there.

Nice. How difficult was swapping the HIDs? If I'm not mistaken, the bumper has to be dropped, no?

Not sure if I mentioned it, but I went with these LEDs and am very happy with them. http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-HID-White-50W-H15-CREE-LED-Bulbs-For-Audi-BMW-Mercedes-VW-Daytime-Lights-Lamp-/121896326459?vxp=mtr

Hahaha. Good way to describe it. I'd get in some serious trouble with a tune I'm sure...I'm still constantly amazed by how quickly 80mph sneaks up on the speedometer.

Cheaper to buy and replace on your own than paying a deductible and dealing with the hassle.

Yeah, I know the one that grenaded wasn't done by LMS. I'd definitely go with them if I were to do so. Makes a pretty big difference, eh?

Haha. I'm sure it's more the exception than the norm, but someone on the Fusion forums with a 2.0EB tuned and the engine grenaded. Yikes

Dammit...I need to bite the bullet and tune. Nervous for warranty purposes.

The Edge and Explorer Sports aren't too far apart in pricing when similarly equipped, in fact MSRP on an Edge Sport can easily exceed an Explorer Sport depending on the options. That said, what are you getting? The Edge Sport has a nicer interior, in my opinion. The seats are no comparison as the Explorer has flat, unsupportive, rough leather. Explorer doesn't have much unique leather stitching on the doors, doesn't have aluminum pedals, and doesn't have Sync 3 (not that my 2015 does either). The Edge's button feel, touch points, and door "thud" are all more premium feeling. The Explorer can be had with rear bucket seats, which is nice, and of course has a 3rd row seat. The headliner is black which I also really like. Performance wise? The Explorer sounds GREAT. The 3.5EB honestly sounds like a V8 in this application and there is plenty of power to get up and go. The Edge Sport, being a smaller vehicle, is quicker. No doubt. Handling, it's a little bit wallowy, but still is impressive given its massive size. Unlike the Edge Sport, the Explorer Sport has a hitch for towing. This could be a big deciding factor for a lot of people. Haha no, there wasn't an opportunity where we were at. I will say I've driven both back to back. The Edge walks on the Explorer. Explorer is potent, yes, but it still is a massive truck and it doesn't quite throw you back in your seat like the Edge can when you hit it. Engine and exhaust note sounds much deeper than the Edge though, which I appreciate.

My Edge and a buddy's 2016 Explorer Sport. Good looking duo if you ask me.