The 2019 Ford Edge ST Is Fine, But The Base Model Is The Better Buy

The Blue Oval just dropped cover on the new Edge ST performance SUV at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show, bolstering its lineup with a twin-turbo go-faster variant capable of sprinting to 60 mph in the low-5-second range and going around a corner with haste without falling over thanks to a sport-tuned suspension. That's all well and good, but when you think about it, the base model is definitely a much better buy.

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Don't get us wrong – we think the Ford Edge ST is an intriguing offer. It's got tons of desirable stuff, and rightfully so considering it's basically Ford's first real performance-oriented SUV. Under the hood is a twin-turbo 2.7-liter V-6, which, properly motivated, creates as much as 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. All of that go is routed through an eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD system, eventually reaching the blacktop by way of 20-inch wheels. You can also get yours with the optional 21-inch wheels wrapped in performance tires, if you want.

Complementing the sticky rubber and AWD grip is an ST-specific sport suspension, which helps manage the SUV's considerable size and weight. There's also an optional brake package that upgrades the components in the rear, which should help it stop a little shorter (although in all honesty, a rear brake upgrade is mostly done for aesthetics). Outside, you'll find more aggressive styling, with the bumpers tweaked and black trim added to the grille. There's even a pair of sport seats in the interior.

So really, the Ford Edge ST is for folks who need an SUV, but don't want to regress into the boring world of uninspiring high-riding models. And we get that. Thing is, while the ST certainly has a good amount of kit to ratchet up the excitement levels, the base model is really the better buy.

The rest of the trim level lineup is composed of the the SE, SEL, and Titanium, each of which was revised in this latest round of refreshes. Each gets a new look front and back, including a new grille and hood, plus standard LED lighting. Inside, buyers get all the usual infotainment goodies, like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, plus a 4G WiFi connection with enough bandwidth to support up to 10 individual devices. There's also a litany of safety systems, such as automatic braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, post-collision braking, and cross-traffic alert. Options include wireless device charging, adaptive cruise control, and more.

So then – you still get a good-looking exterior and a well-equipped interior with the lower trims. Of course, the powerplant sees a bit of a downgrade compared to the ST, with the twin-turbo V-6 replaced by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. So yeah, it's pretty slow by comparison, but it gets the job done, especially with that eight-speed automatic transmission. And with FWD, it'll save you a few bucks at the pump, too.

But here's the real issue – the base model starts at just $30,215, and while we have yet to get an official pricing for the ST, it'll most likely be close to $45,000.

That's a huge jump, and while the extra ponies, bigger engine, sport suspension, and all the other stuff certainly justify it, the Ford Edge ST is playing in a pretty heavy-hitting segment. For roughly $45,000, you could get into something like a Porsche Macan ($47,800), which offers 252 horsepower, a 6.3-second 0-to-60 mph time, and AWD. And oh yeah, it's also a Porsche. Or you could get into a Jaguar F-Pace ($42,065), which offers 247 horsepower and AWD, and oh yeah, it's also a Jaaag.

But we get it. The base model Macan and F-Pace are both slower than the Edge ST and likely much more expensive to maintain. And some people just don't care about badge prestige and luxury opulence.

Still, we can't help but wonder – why not just get the best of both the SUV world and the performance world by getting a base model Edge and spending the remaining fifteen grand on something like an older Mustang? That way, you stay with the Blue Oval, you get a practical SUV (which won't ride like crap because of the non-sport suspension, too), and you get a muscle car purpose-built for performance fun. Problem solved, right?

At the end of the day, the Edge ST definitely has a niche to fill. But that doesn't mean we necessarily think it's a great buy.