Ford is under the impression that Millennials want fast cars but with morespace and to some extent I agree, but not entirely at the expense of the sporty sedans and hatchbacks that will be no longer available stateside.
Performance crossovers can be fun to drive, take the incredible Alfa Stelvio QV as an example but since Ford already has a Ford Edge Sport the ST will have to be significantly better……unfortunately it isn’t. It’s not that it’s bad but it just doesn’t set your hair on fire.
The 2019 Ford Edge ST is the first utility from Ford’s Performance arm and it will more than likely replace the Edge Sport. The Edge ST gets Ford’s 2.7-liter twin-turbo Eco Boost V-6, standard sport-tuned all-wheel drive,bigger brakes, and stiff shocks. The Eco Boost V-6 makes 335 hp and 380 lb-ft,a modest increase over the Sport of 20 and 30 respectively. The new eight-speed gets lower and closer ratios, but I feel a twin clutch would have been a better option here.
Ford claims a 0-60 time of 5.9 seconds which is pretty good for this class of vehicle and makes it faster than both the Fiesta ST and the Focus ST, but it’s not all about the numbers now is it?
So how does it go?
Ford invited me up to Arcadia where Ford had set up an autocross track for me to test the ST, not the best way I felt to test this type of vehicle but I guess I would soon find out. As luck would have it I drove up from San Diego in the Stelvio QV, so the drive was a lot of fun.
The track was pretty tight and short and I set the drive mode to Sport and gunned it. The ST feels pretty lively and quick and turns in very well, the smooth shifting auto doing a pretty good job of holding the revs. The downside is a feeling of mass that a tight suspension set up just can’t mask, it just doesn’t have the playfulness and chuckability that the Focus or the Fiesta STs have.
That may not be a bad thing, the ST Edge is quick, it rides well, the steering is sharp the seats are superb but maybe just maybe a track is not the best place to show it off.
To be honest I like the vehicle, it could actually be a good replacement for my aging Subaru Outback 3.6 R, the Ford has the same cargo space and save for the clunky infotainment system is great fun.
Verdict
The Edge ST is a good first step for Ford, it’s fairly unique among its mainstream competitors like the Chevy Equinox or the Santa Fe and you’ll need to spend more money on a Dodge Durango SRT to better its performance.
The interior is spacious and well thought out with good quality materials, the only problem is the ST badge because I’m not sure it deserves it just yet.
BASE PRICE: – $43,350
VEHICLE LAYOUT: – Front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback
ENGINE: – Twin-turbocharged DOHC 24-valve V-6
POWER: – 335 hp @ 5,500 rpm
TORQUE:- 380 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm
TRANSMISSION:- 8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode
CURB WEIGHT: – 4,600 lb (est)
0-60 MPH: – 5.9 seconds (manufacturer claimed)
EPA CITY/HWY/COMBINED: – 19/26/21 mpg
CARGO SPACE: – 39.2 ft³, 73.4 ft³ with seat area
PROS: – Super smooth transmission,
CONS: – Outdated interior, It’s no Focus ST
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