2019 Ford Edge ST Review by Larry Nutson - It's E15 Approved +VIDEO

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2019 Ford Edge ST
Performance plus practicality

By Larry Nutson
Senior Editor and Bureau Chief
Chicago Bureau
The Auto Channel

Enthusiasm in the marketplace for performance vehicles hasn’t gone away as a result of the shift from cars to SUVs. Plenty of folks want daily transportation that also delivers driving fun and performance.

The midsize car segment was the largest in the U.S. market and now the midsize crossover SUV segment has taken its place. Ford’s first performance crossover SUV coming from the Ford Performance team and first to wear the ST badge is the new 2019 Ford Edge ST.

The Edge ST is a lot more than just a badge. A high-output V6 and a new 8-speed transmission, better handling and braking, ST-tuned sport suspension, Sport Mode, plus standard all-wheel-drive help deliver all-around performance.

For 2019 the five-seat Edge has new front and rear styling. The ST gets its own design front fascia with a wide mesh grille for optimal cooling, deep side skirts, dual-exhaust outlets, and 20-inch or optional black-painted 21-inch wheels. The cabin features supportive leather-trimmed sport seats with unique design elements on the steering wheel, seat backs and sill plates.

I had two recent opportunities to spend some time behind the wheel driving the new Edge ST. The first was at the Midwest Automotive Association Spring Rally at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. The rural roads surrounding Elkhart Lake are very suitable for feeling-out the overall driving dynamics of the ST. My second drive was over a weekend visit to Southeast Florida where I had a good opportunity, thanks to Ford, to make a couple expressway runs as well as drive the Edge ST in typical urban traffic.

The 2019 Edge ST has a base MSRP of $43,355. For this you get a 335-horsepower twin-turbo EcoBoost 2.7-L V6 that will push this Edge from zero to 60mph in the high 5-second range. That’s plenty quick and will put many other performance cars to shame. Top speed is in the neighborhood of 130 mph.

Fuel economy is still quite decent even with all this power. EPA test cycle ratings are 22 mpg combined with 19 city mpg and 26 highway mpg. Take note that maximum engine performance is achieved with 93 octane fuel, but lower octane is okay to use and doesn’t effect fuel consumption.

The Edge ST gets larger front and rear stabilizer bars as well as ST-tuned front struts and rear monotube shocks. Brake rotors are also upped to 345 mm (13.6”). To further enhance driving dynamics an optional Performance Brake Package ($2,695) as well as 265/40R21 performance summer-only tires are available. These summer tires were equipped on my Florida test car and they did not detract from the overall ride quality of the Edge. Standard equipped tires are 245/50R20.

All Edge STs are outfitted with Ford’s Intelligent AWD system that switches automatically between two-wheel and all-wheel drive in a fraction of a second, using information like wheel slip, road conditions, vehicle speed, windshield wiper usage and outside temperature. Power is shifted between the front and rear wheels and torque vectoring shifts power across the vehicle from right to left for improved control. The Sport Mode opens up the exhaust as well as changes the calibrations of both the engine and transmission mapping for increased performance. Shift paddles make for easy control of transmission gear selection.

Meanwhile, the Edge ST delivers the functionality and convenience that crossover SUVs do. It’s got 39 cubic inches of cargo space that opens up to 73 cubic inches with the rear seat folded. The hands-free rear hatch opener made things convenient loading a couple suitcases on my Florida visit with a simple foot swipe under the rear fascia.

Standard equipped Ford Co-Pilot360 includes auto high-beam headlamps, rearview camera, Blind Spot Information System with cross-traffic alert, Lane-Keeping System, and Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Forward Collision Warning and Dynamic Brake Support.

My Florida test car was equipped with the $5,585 Equipment Group 401A that includes evasive steering assist, panoramic sunroof, voice activated navigation, smart cruise control with stop & go and lane centering, heated rear seats, cooled front seats, active park assist plus a few more features.

More information and details on the 2019 Ford Edge St and the entire Ford product line can be found at www.ford.com.

Earlier this year I also had the opportunity to drive the 2019 Edge in its Titanium trim. If the ST is a bit beyond the performance you need you can check out that model HERE

Ford Performance has delivered the GT and well as the iconic Mustang to many an enthusiast. Now the Edge ST continues to deliver high levels of performance and soon we’ll see more STs in the Ford product line.

2019 Ford Edge ST Review by Larry Nutson - It's E15 Approved +VIDEO

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