 | Positives: Accessible power feels just about perfect for everyday driving, roomy interior, tastefully done performance trim, great infotainment system |
 | Negatives: Not faster than an Edge Sport, interior ergonomics need improvement, some chintzy cabin plastics, muted engine note. |
 | Bottom Line: Thought it's not nearly as aggressive and fun as the two ST cars that came before it (Fiesta and Focus), perhaps it's time for new kind of performance. The Edge ST is comfortable, more than adequately quick and plenty roomy. It's a great performance crossover that won't put you into the weeds as a daily driver. |
Driving Experience
Regular Edges are great for everyday driving. And though the ST has performance leanings, it doesn't seem to lose anything with the upgraded suspension when it comes to comfort. Plus, the added power and handling capabilities round things out nicely.
Ride Quality: We'd desicribe it as comfortably firm. Even with the upgraded suspension bits and the big wheels, it handles gaps and bumps remarkably well.
Acceleration: Strong without being overwhelming. 0-60 comes in the high 5-second range, and the throttle response is very good for a turbo. Too bad the Edge Sport is just as fast even though it's down on power compared to the ST. The extra weight of the ST is the mitigating factor.
Braking: The brake pedal is firm and progressive. Our tester didn't come with the upgraded brake package, but the ST's are improved over the regular Edge thanks to wider vented rotors in front and vented discs in the rear.
Steering: The steering actually has decent feedback, and turn-in is quick. For a crossover, the steering is actually pretty precise.
Handling: Suspension upgrades keep it taking turns with more controlled body roll. The Edge ST is heavy, but it manages the twists and turns quite well.
Technology
Ford continues to make a great infotainment system in the SYNC 3 that happens to be one of the better systems in the industry. The addition of a performance digital tachometer in the instrument cluster when Sport mode is engaged is a nice touch.
Infotainment System: SYNC 3 is visually bright and crisp, and the responsiveness is excellent. We like that Ford didn't complicate the look or functionality of it.
Controls: We like the presence of physical audio controls, but the setup is weird. The buttons are unnecessarily thin and small with a giant volume/power knob in the middle. Steering wheel buttons are just okay since they're a bit on the small side due to the steering wheel hub/spoke design.
Styling
The Edge has gone from slightly clunky in styling to sporty and handsome in one redesign and a couple of refreshes. The Edge ST is its best look to date with blackened ST bits and less chrome.
Front: The upper and lower black mesh grille give the ST the right amount of aggression. Creases in the hood and lower fascia are very well executed, and nothing seems overdone. Simple but attractive headlights are some of Ford's best.
Rear: The roof spoiler and black trim between the taillights look great. We're not quite sure we're fans of the rectangular tailpipes that are mounted vertically.
Profile: The total absence of chrome in the window trim like the regular Edge is a welcomed sight. We also like the black wheel and side mirrors that add the right touch of sinister.
Cabin: Ford cabins are rarely fetching, but the STs is better than most of the lineups, save the fancy Expedition in higher trims. There's still some cheap plastic, especially in the center stack, but the dark interior manages to look decent.
Comfort
The Edge is a surprisingly roomy crossover with ample space for adults in front and back. The seats are also quite good, and toting five people rarely presents a problem.
Front Seats: The ST sport buckets are well-supported and well-cushioned. Grippy suede inserts look good and keep you planted when the driving gets upped a few notches.
Rear Seats: Legroom and headroom are good for tall adults, and our tester had the optional second row heated seats, a welcomed addition in usually chilly Chicago spring months.
NVH (noise/vibration/harshness): We could do without the droning engine note piped in through the stereo system since it doesn't sound that intoxicating, anyway. Otherwise, the Edge ST is quiet and well-made.
Visibility: With the exception of the rear pillars and the front edges of the tall hood, the Edge ST is pretty good when it comes to visibility.
Climate: The ST's lclimate system works well, as do the heated and cooled front seats.
Safety
The Edge performs very well when it comes to safety. Though it missed top awards, it still handled crashes with excellence and comes outfitted with solid safety features.
IIHS Rating: No top awards here, but the crash tests were all "good". Only "poor" headlights ding its otherwise pristine record.
NHTSA Rating: Five stars, the top rating from the federal government.
Standard Tech: There's a blind spot system, Lane Keeping Assist, Pre-Collision Assist, rearview camera, Reverse Sensing System, an individual tire presure monitoring system, and the SOS Post-Crash Alert System.
Optional Tech: Our tester came with evasive steering assist, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centering.
Storage/Cargo
The Edge provides a solid amount of small item storage, as well as a pretty sizable rear boot for bigger items. It's a very good family vehicle that can manage quite a bit, even behind the second row.
Storage Space: There's a center cubby with a retractable door, as well as two big cupholders and a decently-sized armrest.
Cargo Room: There's 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place. With the seats folded flat, there's 73.4 cubic feet of cargo space, a couple of cubes shy of the Honda CR-V's.
Fuel Economy
Most performance crossovers aren't the epitome of efficiency, nor do we expect them to be. The ST helps its high-powered engine by providing a decoupling feature that disengages the rear wheels from the engine to improve high speed highway travel. The result is slightly better numbers, though not mindblowing.
Observed: 18.3 mpg.
Distance Driven: 151 miles.
Driving Factors: We drove in Sport mode exclusively and our time was split evenly on highways and local roads.
Audio
The Bang & Olufsen 12 speaker premium system is a very good one. It has plenty of power and clarity and good bass without distortion. The great thing about it is the fact that it's stock on the ST.
