Ford Edge ST Review: Sports Car Performance in an SUV?

While the Ford Edge might not seem like the most important car in the company’s lineup, it’s got more going on than you think. You see, the 2019 Ford Edge itself is simply a mid-cycle update to one of Ford’s lesser-selling car models.

The 2019 Ford Edge ST, however, is a different story. The Ford Edge ST is the first utility vehicle to be uptuned by Ford’s ST performance wing. What does this mean for the long-term world of vehicle sales?

For Edge ST Review

Context for Cars

The last few years have been difficult for traditional cars. SUVs, trucks, minivans and the like have all overtaken traditional car sales. This means that fans of serious power might be feeling like they’re a little left out. Many people who would otherwise be buying powerful sports cars are instead opting for responsible choices like SUVs so they can take their kids to soccer practice and pick up groceries between gunning it down the road.

This context should show just how important an SUV with sports-car like power could be. The Ford Edge is hardly a noteworthy vehicle, but the Ford Edge ST? This could be a game-changer. This could show the ways that traditional carmakers could be making concessions to fans of traditional muscle who also need to get their families around town.

The Specs

So, what kind of car is the 2019 Ford Edge ST? It’s a bit longer and a bit lower than the 2018 version, and it is a little weightier. It weighs about 75 more pounds, due in large part to a higher amount of standard equipment at all trim levels. It’s got the same cargo space and legroom as the 2018 though: the change in look is strictly cosmetic. This year’s Edge ST does look a bit meaner than the previous iteration, which underscores the increase in real power.

While the standard Edge is sporting an unsurprising 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder, things with the ST are much more interesting. The Edge ST has a mean 2.7-liter Ecoboost V6 under the hood that can really go. For just how much go we’re talking about, you need look no further than the hard-and-fast specs. The engine boasts 335 horsepower and a respectable 380 pound-feet of torque. As those numbers show, this is comparable to some diesel engines in terms of torque, and has as much horsepower as some sports cars.

How it Compares

Ford faithful may recognize the Edge ST’s engine as the same 2.7-liter Ecoboost found in the F-150 since the 2015 iteration. That engine, with its strong construction and quality materials, is just as rugged, reliable and awesome here as in the top-rated truck that Ford is known for.

The Edge ST also sports eight speeds, the seventh and eighth of which both top overdrive. The final drive ratio is lower in the ST compared to other Edges, too, coming in at 3:39:1. Surprisingly, in spite of all this increased performance, the Edge ST still brings better gas mileage to bear with its 19 miles in the city and 26 on the highway. The standard Edge only gets 17 in the city and 24 highway.

The options on the 2019 are all pretty stellar, even when it comes to standard trim levels. LED headlights, FordPass app, Co-Pilot 360 safety suite and even a WiFI hotspot all come standard with the SE trim. Those safety features are nothing short of impressive, with automatic headlight brightness adjustments, lane assist, forward collision warning and more. Expected features like blind spot detection and cameras for backing up are also all present, as one might assume.

Pricing

This is the part that most people are most curious about. The Edge ST is available starting at $43,350, making it a rather expensive vehicle for most families. Even the standard Edge starts at $30,990 for the front-wheel drive configuration. That makes the Edge, in all configurations, a rather expensive new car for families. However, following Ford’s discontinuation of several popular lines of traditional cars, it seems likely that the Edge ST will be the smallest performance car in Ford’s lineup soon.

The Edge ST costs nearly double the price of base Ford Focus ST. This is a bit concerning, of course, as Ford has discontinued production of the Focus as well as the C-Max. The Fiesta and Taurus are both expected to end production in 2019. This means that going forward, Ford will be selling only SUVs, trucks and the like, and cars will no longer be part of their portfolio.