2020 Ford Edge ST in Rapid Red (a $395 option)
2020 Ford Edge ST AWD
Class: Midsize Crossover
Miles driven: 1314
Fuel used: 60.0 gallons
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | B+ |
| Power and Performance | A- |
| Fit and Finish | B+ |
| Fuel Economy | B- |
| Value | B- |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide’s impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | B+ |
| Tall Guy | B |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. “Big” rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, “Tall” rating based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 335-hp 2.7L |
| Engine Type | Turbocharged V6 |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | All-wheel drive |
Real-world fuel economy: 21.9 mpg
Driving mix: 15% city, 85% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 19/26/21 (city/highway/combined)
Fuel type: Premium gas recommended
Base price: $43,265 (not including $1245 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Equipment Group 401A ($4840), Rapid Red tinted clearcoat paint ($395), ST Performance Brake Package ($2695), Cold Weather Package ($495)
Price as tested: $52,935
Quick Hits
The great: Spacious cabin for both passengers and cargo; ST’s features add a bit more driving fun without compromising day-to-day livability much
The good: Upscale interior; fine selection of safety and technology features
The not so good: Bottom-line sticker price of almost $53K; firm ride; transmission sometimes shifts abruptly
More Edge price and availability information
CG Says:
Ford makes the Edge midsize crossover SUV four ways (seven if you count driveline variations), and the edgiest Edge is the ST. It’s the one with the twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6, Ford Performance-massaged suspension, and sporty appearance features inside and out.
The Edge is Ford’s 5-passenger crossover SUV; ST is Ford’s performance sub-brand. Combine the two, and you’ve got a practical family hauler that delivers spiced-up performance and a generous list of standard features.
The ST bowed in 2019 as the line-topper for a refreshed Edge line, and its biggest change for 2020 seems to be on the window sticker. The base price, with delivery, has jumped to $44,510 from $43,350—including a year-over-year rise of $250 in the delivery charge. Consumer Guide has test-driven STs from both model years, and where the ’19 model managed to top out for a little less than $50,000, the ’20 chalked up a $51,690 price tag as optioned.
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As the top model in the Edge lineup, the ST’s cabin has a high-end ambiance in addition to its sporty vibe. The Equipment Group 401A package is pricey at $4840, but it adds lots of features, including a wireless charging pad, cooled front seats (in addition to the standard heated seats), heated rear seats, voice-activated navigation system, Evasive Steering Assist, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane centering.
With just a few optional differences between them—one being a $395 application of Rapid Red paint on the ’20—the driving experience was essentially the same. The 335-horsepower EcoBoost V6 answers the gas pedal with urgency, even more so in “Sport” mode, though acceleration isn’t all that linear. The 8-speed automatic transmission performs well, but some shifts come with a kick. The EPA rates the ST at 19 mpg in city driving, 26 on the highway, and 21 combined. CG editors saw 21.9 mpg after an extended run solidly biased toward highway miles, which was 2.2 mpg more than the 2019 ST gave them, though with a majority of city driving.
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The ST’s front seats strike a nice balance between long-haul comfort and support in quick cornering, and the leather/faux-suede upholstery gives an upscale look. The rear-seat area is large enough for adults to ride in comfort.
Ride is firm and bumps can register with force in the cabin. The 2020 tester came with the Performance Brake Package, which includes 265/40R21 summer tires on 21-inch painted aluminum wheels—not a recipe for enhanced ride comfort. However, the more-open wheels (20-inchers are standard) and vented brake rotors in the package stand to aid cooling for consistently better stopping. Direct steering and a lower center of gravity than in other Edge models enhance control.
The ST’s heavily bolstered front seats cater to hard cornering. They are clad in leather and suede-like fabric inserts. Legroom and headroom are ample in both rows, and three-across adult seating is thinkable in the back seat. Padded soft surfaces are much in evidence. Thumb buttons on the leather-wrapped steering wheel permit drivers to scroll through information displays that show on the instrument cluster. The SYNC3 infotainment system is a breeze to set up and use. There are external controls for the audio and dual-zone climate systems on a large panel below the 8-inch touchscreen. Repetitive-push buttons for temperature and fan speed are spread along the bottom of this panel. Standard driver aids are blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts, and pre-collision warning with automatic emergency braking.
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The Edge ST gets its own exclusive powertrain: a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 that makes 335 horsepower. Our test vehicle was equipped with the ST Performance Brake Package, which adds upgraded disc brakes front and rear, as well as 21-inch wheels on summer tires (in place of the standard 20-inchers).
There’s good cargo space even before the 60/40-split rear seats fold flush with the load floor. Open sidewall bins hold incidentals, and considerable small-item space exists in foam organizers that fit around the spare tire located beneath the load floor. For further convenience, there’s a hands-free power liftgate available in an equipment group that includes a panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, adaptive cruise control, and more. Personal incidentals are handled by a good-sized glove box, deep console box, pouches on the backs of the front seats, and pockets in all doors. The console provides twin cup holders, with two more in the rear center armrest.
The ST gives the Ford Edge something to offer the SUV buyer with a sweet tooth for spirited performance, but there are three cheaper alternatives with the same room and general versatility.
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The Ford Edge ST sees no changes of note for 2020 after its debut as a 2019 model. In the two-row midsize crossover class, the Edge ST’s primary rival is the Chevrolet Blazer RS–it comes standard with a 308-hp 3.5-liter V6, and can also be optioned up past the $50,000 mark.
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