Since Ford has decided to kill off its whole car lineup with the exception of the Mustang, what does that mean for buyers that want to have a bit more fun behind the wheel? Well Ford is applying its ST badge from the Ford Performance sub-brand, which was previously used on the Focus ST and Fiesta ST to its SUV lineup. The first one is the 2019 Ford Edge ST.
The Edge ST is the replacement for the Edge Sport and with the ST badge, Ford has added several performance upgrades. For starters, the Edge ST is powered by a twin-turbocharged 2.7L EcoBoost V6 that generates a nice 335 horsepower and 380 lb-ft. of torque, which is 20 more horsepower and 30 lb-ft. than the Edge Sport. The V6 is now mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and all that power is sent to the four wheels via an all-wheel drive system that can vary the amount of torque that it sends to the front or back. When extra traction isn’t needed, the all-wheel drive system can also automatically disconnect the power to the rear to improve the Edge ST’s fuel efficiency.
The Edge ST is rated at 19 mpg city and 24 mpg on the highway, which is actually more fuel efficient than the old Edge Sport.
Ford just didn’t stop with the upgraded engine, the Edge ST also gets a sportier suspension with spring rates that have increased by 12 percent in the front and 20 percent in the rear compared to the Edge Sport. Roll stiffness has also been improved thanks to bigger anti-roll bars.
What does this all equate to? A fun midsize SUV that’s far sportier than its rivals, like the Honda Passport and Nissan Murano. The Edge ST can accelerate from 0-60 mph in under six seconds and when the road gets twisty, the Edge ST is ready for the challenge. We did notice a bit of turbo lag, but press the S button on the shift dial to select Sport mode and the throttle gets more responsive and the transmission will hold the gears a bit longer. In normal mode the transmission is also a bit slow to downshift, luckily the Sport mode puts a little more life into the transmission. Also when you put it in Sport mode, the speakers amplify the engine’s sound to make sure you can hear it.
During more spirited driving, the Edge ST’s steering may be a bit heavier than we expected, but it does give more feedback than you’ll find in its rivals. The sportier suspension also does a good job of keeping body roll to a minimum. The only drawback was that on some bumpier roads, the stiffer suspension wasn’t able to keep us from feeling the road’s imperfections.
If you want to step up things even more, the $2,695 ST Performance Brake package adds 21-inch wheels with Pirelli P Zero tires, and upgraded brake pads and rotors.
Inside the Edge ST is packed with technology, like an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and two 4.2-inch screens in the gauge cluster and a 4G LTE wireless hotspot. An active parking system, front-facing camera, heated and cooled front seats, and heated rear seats are also on the list.
While the Edge ST isn’t as engaging to drive as the Focus ST, it’s a big performance upgrade over the other Edge trim levels. The 2019 Ford Edge ST manages to blend the practicality of a traditional SUV, with a sportier driving experience that will easily satisfy most SUV buyers that like to have a little fun when the road opens up.
The 2019 Ford Edge ST starts at $42,355.
