2019 Ford Edge ST

2019 Ford Edge ST: …this one isn’t for me

A 335-horsepower crossover sounds like an acceptable, and potentially enjoyable, proposition in this day and age. That’s how much juice the 2019 Ford Edge ST has under its hood. This one certainly looks the sporty part too, with its bright blue paint and black wheels. There’s also that red ST badge on the nose, tail, and splashed about the cabin. That badge, however, is where the problems begin.

When you think of a Ford ST vehicle, you think of something lively, engaging, and overall fun to drive and own. Ford’s Fiesta ST is an affordable hot hatch that kills corners. The Focus ST takes the same idea and applies it to a slightly larger package. With the Edge ST, you may think this is merely a taller Focus ST. That’s not the case at all.

Yes, the steering tuning is great. And there’s plenty of grip from the massive 21-inch wheels shod in Pirelli tires. But that’s it. That’s really all you have here. The rest of this Edge is a reminder that you’ve just shelled out a colossal amount of cash for something that won’t make you smile as the badge might lead you to believe.

How much does this one here cost? $52,000 as tested.

That’s over $50,000 for a Ford Edge. A Porsche Macan starts at $49,900, in case you’re curious. Sure, you’ll need to throw a few options at the Macan, but a Ford Edge ST and a Porsche Macan shouldn’t be competing for your dollars.

The starting price of the Edge ST is around $42,000. That number makes a bit more sense. However, if you want the bigger brakes, you’re also required to get the larger 21-inch wheels. And you also need to check the box for Equipment Group 401A (an options package that includes an upgraded Sync system). That immediately adds around $8,000 to the price of the Edge ST. And if you’re buying such a vehicle, it would only make sense that you want the larger brakes on there.

Ford needs to throw that gear in there and somehow keep the price closer to that $42k starting point. Or they take the Edge ST in a different direction. Keep it as a $50,000 vehicle… and throw the Focus RS running gear in there. Now we have a machine that comes to party properly.

As it sits now though, this one is definitely not for me.

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14 responses to “2019 Ford Edge ST: …this one isn’t for me”

  1. crank_case Avatar
    crank_case

    Shoulda dialled in some lift-off oversteer and called the hEdge

    *gets coat*

    1. Vairship Avatar
      Vairship

      That version will only be bought by Wall Street traders though…

  2. caltemus Avatar
    caltemus

    So this is an Edge Sport in wolf’s clothing

    1. Ross Ballot Avatar
      Ross Ballot

      This is an Edge Sport after Ford’s marketing department got their hands on it

    2. Maymar Avatar
      Maymar

      I’m still unsure why the lighter Fusion with the same engine only gets the Sport moniker, but somehow the Edge is an ST?

  3. neight428 Avatar
    neight428

    I want to like this one, don’t know if I would enjoy driving it or not. I took this effort as a bit of parts bin work to make an aging platform a bit more interesting. I expect steep discounts.

    ETA – If you go by online new car listings, the 401A equipped Edge ST (MSRP $52.2k) advertised at $46K, Base 250hp Macans start around $52k, MSRP $59K. Seems like a nonsense cross shop, but for 80hp and $6k, it’s not an unreasonable tradeoff depending on your priorities.

  4. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar

    So basically, the Edge ST is not a real ST…just as absolutely everybody predicted.

  5. Zentropy Avatar
    Zentropy

    I’ve heard nothing but negative criticism for this car. Too bad, but the Edge wasn’t something I was ever interested in, regardless. It always seemed to me like Ford’s version of a (BMW) X6– still big and heavy, but with utility removed.

    I think if Ford is going to stick the Focus RS drivetrain under a crossover, it should be the lighter Escape.

  6. Smaglik Avatar
    Smaglik

    Ford taking a play out of the BMW playbook. Sell the letter(s).

  7. Ted Odell Avatar
    Ted Odell

    Sad. I was hoping it could be an option for our next purchase. The wife wants “something that handles like our S4 with the driver height of our Tahoe.” She wants a performance crossover. This might have made the shopping list.

    1. Jeff Glucker Avatar
      Jeff Glucker

      Nope. Skip this one.

      Find a used Stelvio QF… with a lot of time left on the warranty

  8. Harry Callahan Avatar
    Harry Callahan

    Anyone else sense anything delightfully unusual here?

    Glucker flatly states he does NOT like a mass market offering.

    This ladies and gentlemen is a darn good thing. This means neither Gluck nor the site is beholden to Ford. How many times have we read a car or motorcycle review that never got to the point, never staked out a claim, never risked offending the company that has ads pasted everywhere. (Here’s looking at you Motor Trend and Cycle!!)

    Bravo Jeff Glucker. Keep it real.

  9. Tiberiuswise Avatar

    Edge ST, as it sits, will most likely be hurt by the upcoming Explorer ST. 400hp, RWD biased AWD, and 3rd row. Game, set, match.

    1. salguod Avatar

      I think the Explorer ST is going to be hurt by the existence of the SRT Durango. With performance options it’s a $66K proposition. If an Edge ST with all performance options is $52K, an Explorer ST is going to be close to $60K if not over, making the Dodge a more attractive proposition.

      Of course, there is a lot more fun to be had with $66K than any 3 row SUV.