Ford has made only modest updates to the Edge since its launch in late 2006.

Ford’s once-popular midsized crossover vehicle has been lagging behind the recovery of the overall U.S. market over the last year, so the Detroit maker is hoping a concept version making its debut at the L.A. Auto Show later this week will help it regain its edge.

Make that Edge, as in Ford Edge, the CUV that slots in-between Ford’s more popular Escape and Explorer models.

It wasn’t always that way.  After its launch during the 2007 model-year, the Ford Edge became one of the midsize crossover segment’s most popular offerings, but it has been losing momentum since the 2012 redesign of the Explorer, with the debut of the all-new 2013 Ford Escape delivering another body blow.

Ford is holding back details on the 2015 Edge until its news conference at the L.A. Convention Center later this week. But the maker is expected to take a number of steps to expand its appeal.  For one thing, it will adopt a more dynamic design in keeping with the new global look that has worked so effectively for both Escape and Explorer – and for recently redesigned passenger cars such as the Ford Fusion.

Expect Edge to get a number of new, high-tech safety and convenience features, in keeping with the general industry trend, especially for products aimed at younger family buyers.

(Ford reveals new urban car – er Ka – Concept. Click Here for a closer look.)

Another critical step will be to update the outgoing Edge model’s powertrain line-up, currently limited to the 2.0-liter EcoBoost. That powertrain has been among the more fuel-efficient in the segment, but buyers have shown a desire to have more options and Ford is reportedly looking at providing several different EcoBoost variants to buyers of the next-generation Edge.

Nonetheless, Jim Hall, chief analyst with the automotive consulting firm 2953 Analytics, cautions that it could be tough for Ford to rebuild momentum for the Edge. He says the new one will have to carve out its own niche despite being tightly squeezed between the less expensive Ford Escape and the maker’s larger and more lavish Explorer model.

But he also contends that Ford must find a way to keep Edge sales strong, suggesting “Its importance goes beyond the Ford brand.”  That’s because the underlying platform for the midsize crossover will be shared with the next-generation Lincoln MKX, a more luxurious CUV.

Without enough volume for the mainstream Ford Edge it will be difficult for the higher-priced Lincoln to turn a profit, according to Hall.  The two models will be produced on the same assembly line in Oakville, Ontario. Ford recently spent $700 million to upgrade that facility.

(Lincoln unveils new MKC compact crossover. Click Here to check it out.)

The new Ford Edge will also be sold in a number of overseas markets, including Europe, Russia and China.

Edge sales peaked in 2007, immediately after the vehicle’s launch, then tumbled during the U.S. automotive recession.  Volumes have risen again over the last three years and could nip 130,000 this year. But demand has grown only 3% during the first nine months of 2013, barely a third the pace of the overall U.S. automotive recovery.