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How about the quality of construction?
You might be curious to know if the 2020 left a different impression on me than the 2019 in terms of how it’s put together. Frankly, I was happy to note a distinct improvement. This time around, I detected no rubbing in the braking system, no trouble closing the power hatch, and body panels seemed properly aligned.
There’s room for improvement, but for this second go-around in the priciest Ford Edge in the lineup was a positive experience… though of course I wasn’t obliged to pay the hefty price tag on the thing, which knocks hard up against the $55,000 mark. And for the price, there is any number of attractive options in the segment, which you might well find superior in terms of overall quality and even driving pleasure. But then, that’S where consumers’ personal tastes and preferences come into play.
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The last word
Personally, I wouldn’t necessarily look to more-luxurious brands for an alternative to the Edge ST. If your budget is around $50,000, you have to go for a smaller SUV to get the same level of performance. Still, I’d include the Chevrolet Blazer RS version on the short list of mass-market crossovers offering an equivalent driving experience. That model does generate fewer horses than the Edge ST (305 vs 335), but the Chevy actually delivers a slightly more-dynamic drive, even if its powertrain is less explosive.
At the same time, the Iconic Silver finish of my tester makes the Ford Edge ST a bit of a wallflower among American crossovers. Apart from the few black accents and the red badging at either end of the vehicle, this sportier Edge looks pretty much like all the other SUVs on the road. But then, maybe that’s exactly what some folks want: a performance beast lurking under an anonymous robe that doesn’t attract undue attention to itself.
I have to tip my hat to Ford for being bold with the Edge, even if the reality is there are other, more-engaging alternatives for those motorists who want exhilaration from their SUV. I’m also glad to report that my second ride in the model revealed improved overall quality.
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We like
The sound of the twin-turbo V6
Overall comfort, in spite of the sport suspension
Its wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing appeal
We like less
This is a heavy vehicle, no getting around it
Aging platform
The competition
Chevrolet Blazer
GMC Acadia
Honda Passport
Jeep Cherokee
Nissan Murano
Subaru Outback
Toyota Venza (2021)
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
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