Highway Crusader: 2019 Ford Edge ST
As the teen years of the decade come to a close, an end of an era is near for the Ford sedans. The year 2020 is to bring about the last of all their sedan products as Ford has made the leap to produce only crossovers and pickup trucks, as well as the Mustang. However, not all is lost when it comes to the Ford’s performance oriented ST models as the Edge is the first crossover in their lineup to see these stamped letters.
With a mid-cycle refresh occurring in 2018, the 2019 Ford Edge brings about more performance than styling and technology updates. By adding the ST badge, it replaces the standard 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder with a nippy 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 straight out of the Fusion Sport. With a bit of re-engineering and streamlining, the Ford Performance team squeezes 335-horsepower and 380lb-ft of torque from its twin-turbo power house.
Equipped with a standard intelligent all-wheel drive system, the Edge is able to lay down its power evenly and distraughtly through its 8-speed automatic transmission. Left to its own device, the transmission, even under sport mode carries fluid gestures as it skates into the next gear. If you’re one that fancies the steering wheel paddle shifters, the Edge ST proudly supports a shift-for-yourself option; however, due to its uninspiring delayed response time between inputs, we rather just let the transmission figure itself out.
With a sportier personality, the Edge ST rides firmer than its processor with a more rugged sport tuned suspension. While the ride represented rougher interests, it’s never uncomfortable or intolerable. And when it came to the corners, the Edge ST carried its body motions well in a civilized fashion. It didn’t feel like a swollen crossover wobbling its way out of a Sizzler. Even the steering had a little extra tightness in its weightiness that made us feel like we putting some effort into its motions.
As the standard Edge SE starts at $29,995, the Edge ST boons itself at the top of the food chain starting at $42,355. To send our tester off the edge of performance, it featured a stellar $2695 ST Performance Brake Package that incorporated stunning 21-inch black gloss wheels, Colorado-Red painted brake calipers, and a host of upgraded brake parts from the spare ST bin in the factory. The enhanced sportiness of our Edge ST was a head turner with its optional $595 White Platinum paint and with the ST badge, it incorporates a sportier flair with an upgraded lower body kit, black mesh grille and squared-off performance exhaust tips.
The interior on the other hand is the only thing that has stayed the same since this 3rd generational Edge debuted in 2015. Some of its design elements are starting to show some age as newer crossovers contort to a more streamline concept. However, with soft touch materials, carbon fiber trim and chrome outlines with a responsive touch screen infotainment system by SYNC3, the Edge continues to offer an ergonomic functionality. Overall the interior carries an attractive appeal without being overbearing that follows through to the premium side of its nearly fifty grand price tag.
On a premium level the Edge ST is highly lifted with supremely comfortable leather and suede seats that support the sportier side of driving with snugly fitted side lateral bolsters. Rear passengers see the softer side of a plush bench seat with a forgiving absorbent cushions, exceptional rear legroom and heated functionality at the push of a button. With a steep increase, the option package noted as 301A increases the Edge desirability with the latest safety technology featuring stop and go adaptive cruise and lane centering assist technology with lane departure warning.
Over the course of 900 miles traveling between Phoenix, Arizona and Los Angeles, California, the Edge ST dominated the highway cruise. Averaging 23 mpg on the highway and surpassing everything in the slow lane, this machine was made to be a highway crusader. The biggest problem however is that, the Edge was once in a territory of two, fighting the odds against the Nissan Murano. This year, its match has been made with the introduction of the Chevrolet Blazer and Honda Passport – both supporting similar size, performance, and interior comfort capacity. At just over $50,000 the Edge ST performance sees an advantage over its competition and yet is starting to step on the toes of the premium crossover Acura RDX, Lexus RX F SPORT, and even the Audi SQ5. Good thing then it sees 60 mph in five and half seconds, it’s going to need to out run the heat.
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
Model: 2019 FORD EDGE ST
Starting Price: $42,355
As Tested: $50,325
PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 2.7-LITER TWIN-SCROLL TURBOCHARGED ECOBOOST V-6
Horsepower/Torque: 335-HORSEPOWER / 380 LB-FT TORQUE
Transmission: 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC
Drivetrain: INTELLIGENT ALL-WHEEL DRIVE
Fuel Economy: EPA RATED: 19-CITY / 26-HWY
(AS TESTED: 23 MPG COMBINED – 150 CITY MILES | 750 HWY MILES)
Fuel Range: 370 MILES
0-60 MPH: ±5.5 SECONDS
SIX SPEED BLOG 
I recognise the location of the photo showing the sign pointing to LA and Phoenix…….. just off the I10, between Quartzsite and the state border. I’ve taken many a photo there myself, too, and at lots of points along that road. Great backgrounds!
I have passed through there a many of times and photographed too many cars at that stop.
That’s a quick 0-60 figure for a crossover! Speedy little beast. Sounds like it served you well for the 900-mile jaunt. It’s the end of an era for Ford. I’ll miss some of its cars. Think of some of the good ones over the years. Contour SVT like Jason’s. The Taurus SHO. And who could get those other hits from the 1980s and 1990s: The Tempo and the Aspire! Haha. Nice pics here. You should get back into video production again.
If only all our cars had over 300-hp for our out of state travels. It makes driving so much more breezy. I’ll give it another generation before we start to see the Taurus and Contour back. I need to get back into videography, it’s just too much time involved.