As the first SUV to join the Ford Performance Team lineup, the 2020 Ford Edge ST is quite an impressive and powerful model.
If you’re wondering what exactly the Performance Team is, it’s a collection of athletic vehicles that produce some serious horsepower. Some of the all-star team members include the Ford GT, the Shelby GT350, and the Shelby GT350R. Other members of this elite team include the ferocious Raptor, the petite Fiesta ST, and the Focus RS and ST models.
By now, you’re probably asking yourself, “How can an SUV be in the same lineup as a Mustang muscle car?” The answer is very simple; it’s the engine.
What’s Under the Hood?
When you think of a traditional SUV, you probably assume that it has an engine that is capable of pulling a lot of extra weight. In return, you’d expect it to have a poor fuel economy. It’s the sacrifice that too many American drivers have had to make for many years.
As for a more compact crossover such as the 2020 Edge ST, you might be surprised to learn that it has a powerful engine and gets great gas mileage. No more compromising!
The performance-enhanced ST model proudly boasts a 2.7L V6 Ecoboost engine under the hood. Lightweight and designed for optimized power, this beast generates a surprising 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque using direct multi-shot injection technology along with hydraulic compensating lash adjuster valve lifters, this motor is strong enough to earn its spot on the Ford Performance team. The engine block is built out of compacted graphite iron, and the cylinder heads are constructed out of cast aluminum. This composition makes its lighter, which, in turn, allows it to get better gas mileage.
Equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, it has an impressive fuel economy set at 21 mpg combined (19 city/26 highway). The Class II Trailer Tow Package has also been added to enable the Edge ST to haul up to 3,500 pounds while keeping trailer sway at a minimum.
How Does It Ride?
So, the 2020 Ford Edge ST is powerful, but it also drives incredibly well. Let’s peel back the chassis and take a closer look at the inner workings of this delightfully surprising ride.
The front hydraulic, twin-tube shocks are gas-pressurized, and the independent front suspension features an L-shaped control arm with a subframe and stabilizer bar for a smoother driving experience. The rear hydraulic, mono-tube shocks are also gas-pressurized, and the independent multi-link rear suspension features the same subframe and stabilizer bar with trailing blade control arms. These work in unison to make the driving experience much more pleasant for backseat passengers. The mono-tube shocks are known for being more responsive and react quicker when going over bumps.
Electric power steering enables the driver to take on turns smoothly, and the Advanced Braking System is mated with AdvanceTrac and Roll Stability Control for more efficient braking.
The quiet cabin isolates external sounds from the wind, road, and engine to provide occupants with a more relaxing ride. The heated front seats are power-adjustable 10-ways, and the rear bench seats are 60/40 split-fold-flat that can also recline. If your back seat guests are feeling tired, they can easily push their seat back and take a little nap.
What’s Inside the 2020 Ford Edge ST?
This high-performance model isn’t just impressive under the hood. Beyond mechanical elements, this vehicle offers a wide range of cool comfort and convenience features that will have you grinning from ear-to-ear.
First, you will be greeted by heated, leather-trimmed bucket seats with stylish Miko inserts and sleek silver stitching. An embossed ST logo is also featured to remind you that you choose the coolest SUV on the market. For comfort, all year long, a dual-zone climate control system has also been added.
The steering wheel is wrapped in leather and features cruise, audio, and 5-way control button for ease-of-use. Aluminum pedals complete the race car look along with ambient lighting. There are multiple storage compartments located throughout the cabin, a front console, a storage tray, a sunglass holder, and 8 cupholders.
The Sync3 infotainment interface operates with Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calling, and FordPass Connect provides optional 4G LTE Wifi hotspot to keep you connected everywhere you go. You can also listen to SiriusXM Radio through the premium Bang & Olufsen 12-speaker sound system. A wireless charging pad, as well as four powerpoints, are available to keep all of your mobile devices fully charged.
Is the 2020 Ford Edge ST Safe?
With great power comes great responsibility. That’s why this nifty model is loaded with advanced safety features to put your mind at ease on the road.
There are numerous airbags throughout the cabin, including driver and front passenger dual-stage airbags, front and second-row safety canopy side curtain airbags with roll sensors, and a driver knee airbag. Belt Minder ensures that you don’t forget to fasten your seatbelt, and the rearview camera will assist with parallel street parking and backing out of tight spaces. Also, the tire pressure monitoring system will alert you if there is too much or too little air pressure inside your tires. This can help you avoid a flat or a blow-out on the highway.
For child safety, the 2020 Edge ST features child-proof rear door locks and the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether Anchors for Children) system. This provides plenty of hooks and latches to secure a child seat in place.
More advanced systems like blindspot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts are also included to help keep you and your loved ones safe on the roads. Ford Co-Pilot360 has been added as well. This is a suite of safety features that includes automatic high beams, pre-collision assist, emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist.
How Does It Look on the Outside?
The exterior of the 2020 Edge ST is a bit different from the typical Edge models. Being part of the Ford Performance Team means that it needs to stand out more with unique features such as the glossy black mesh grille with the ST logo.
Black beltline moldings give it a sleek look. The body-colored mirror caps, door handles, rear spoiler, lower cladding give it a more uniformed appearance. The polished, stainless steel dual-exhaust tips are trapezoidal and integrated into the rear fascia. LED signature lighting is featured on the headlights, taillamps, and foglights for a more futuristic style. The heated, power side mirrors also feature LED turn signal indicators. Rain-sensing wipers come on automatically during inclement weather to help increase visibility.
For the Edge ST, there are six exterior paint options to choose from, including Agate Black, Magnetic, Iconic Silver, Star White, Rapid Red, and Ford Performance Blue. It rides on standard 20-inch bright-machined aluminum wheels with gloss black pockets. You can also opt for the 21-inch glossy-black aluminum wheels if you want an even more athletic look.
