Just to clarify. Although I think the 2013 model is ugly I do think it will be successful. With every buyer who liked the old one and would not buy the new one there is someone who will like the new one. and hates the old one.
I do not think the current one's styling is bland at all. Outdated? Maybe. But the new one will look like everything else in its class. At least the old one was distinctive in its appearance.
The issue here is that Ford was forced to compete with the likes of Toyota/Hyundai etc.. While the current model is selling well sooner or later it would loose more and more sales to updated models from other manufacturers.
I have a feeling that some current Escape buyers may be inclined to purchase a new Edge. I would. So perhaps that will help sales for that model.