2020 Ford Edge ST

In stock form, the Edge ST carries a price of $43,265, before a $1,245 destination fee, a $645 acquisition fee, and any other taxes or incentives. Fully loaded, you'll pay around $52,000.

The ST is endowed with thicker anti-roll bars and increased spring rates on the suspension for more capable handling in the corners. This helps it to corner better and turn in more sharply than its regular siblings. If you want to really maximize performance, sticky summer tires are available to increase grip, but the standard all-wheel-drive system does a decent job on its own, pulling you out of corners with aplomb. Despite its performance upgrades that reduce body roll and improve handling, the Edge ST is still impressively compliant over bumps and transmits little in the way of intrusion to the cabin, even with the larger optional 21-inch wheels fitted. The steering is appropriately weighted, although it does lack ultimate feel, and turning into a corner accurately is not troublesome in the least, while brake-based torque vectoring helps with improving overall agility and making the ST feel lighter than it is. Braking is similarly impressive, with the pedal never feeling overwhelmed when the pads are forced to bite down suddenly. The Edge ST is therefore much like the other ST products - fun for its purpose, yet good enough and comfortable enough to drive every day.

The 2020 Ford Edge ST goes on sale in the USA as the most expensive model in the lineup, but it still offers a reasonable bargain for what you get. Heated front seats, a user-friendly infotainment system with smartphone integration and a brilliant sound system, ambient lighting, a hands-free liftgate, wireless charging, remote start, and numerous standard safety features. In addition, the cabin is thoughtfully laid out with numerous storage options, while folding the rear seats opens up an impressive amount of volume. You also get a good balance between performance and comfort, with good handling ability balanced by a smooth and comfortable ride. Naturally, some won't be able to look past the dated interior and some of the harder plastics, but as an overall package, the Edge ST is a good family vehicle with the ability to offer fun with ease.

The Edge ST is a standalone model with a single trim level, so we'd carefully consider what options to spec. This is especially true considering how well the vehicle is equipped from standard. Therefore, we'd add little but would certainly consider adding the contents of the 401A package with its adaptive cruise control, adaptive LED headlights, park assist, ventilated front seats with heated rear seats, and navigation. This takes the price of the Edge ST to the dark side of $45,000, but improves safety and convenience, thus making the crossover an even better all-rounder.

Although not a performance model, the Ford Escape is also available as an all-wheel-drive model. Starting at $36,835, it's considerably more affordable than the $43,000 Edge ST. With less outlay comes less output, with the Escape's 2.0-liter turbo four-pot producing just 250 hp versus the Edge ST's 335, and 100 lb-ft less too. Despite this deficit, the Escape is worth considering for its modern interior design and more expansive use of quality materials. It also gets a fully digital driver display. This is a vehicle that has been designed to be more car-like than the Edge, which naturally means less space and less capability, but if you don't need the performance and consequent fuel economy of a 2.7-liter turbocharged V6, the Escape could be a good buy.

The Chevy Blazer is one of the best-looking crossovers on the market, with design cues unashamedly stolen directly from the Camaro. In RS AWD format, it matches the Edge ST closely when it comes to price, with the Chev just $135 pricier. The RS uses a 3.6-liter V6 but no turbocharging, thus producing just 308 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. Even so, its combined EPA figure is identical to that of the Edge ST at 21 mpg. Yet the Chevy has a larger 21.7-gallon gas tank, so you can go further. It also has a far more modern interior design that feels like it belongs in 2020, while the Edge is clearly approaching a mid-life crisis. It's also useful in terms of cargo space and handles well for what it is. Yet rear headroom is not that great, and the cabin is a little cramped overall compared to that of the Ford, which also offers more cargo space and feels more sporty. We'd have the ST.