2023 Ford Edge ST Performance

Ford's Edge ST is not powered by the same 2.0-liter turbocharged engine as the rest of the line-up. Instead, you get a 2.7-liter turbocharged V6 developing 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to an all-wheel-drive system via a seven-speed automatic transmission. It's an excellent powertrain, but you have to wonder whether the weight penalty over the standard car is worth it?

Turns out it is because, according to Ford, the ST will accelerate from 0-60 mph in less than six seconds. So, the added power is more than enough to overcome the additional weight.

Power is nothing without control, and the ST is so much more than a larger engine and some ST badges. The ST is still a tall car, and you can feel it through the corners. Still, the upgraded suspension does an admirable job of keeping the body lean to a minimum. The ST is more fun than the regular car but far from giving you laugh-out-loud moments behind the wheel.

As for practical elements, the Edge ST has a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs.

The 2.7-liter turbocharged V6 in the ST produces 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. This V6 is not a rev-happy powertrain, and it makes the maximum 335 horses at 5,500 rpm. It's almost like a turbocharged diesel, with an additional 1,000 rpm to play with.

Two years ago, Ford received much criticism for the behavior of the eight-speed automatic, so last year, the Edge ST lost its second gear, with all other ratios remaining identical. The goal of this is to improve the shift action, essentially bypassing what would've been the 2nd-to-3rd shift. It's worked wonders, and the ST has since felt lighter on its feet and gets less confused. Instead, the turbocharged torque allows it to ride smoothly out of corners.

But this crossover is at its best when you drive it at around 70 percent of its ability. The final 30 percent is just annoying, thanks to the gearbox. The shifter has an S mode, situated just below Drive. It allows for more revs but still changes up too soon. You then start engaging with the paddles, realizing soon after that they're merely there for decoration. Paddle shifting does not give you complete control, and the car will still shift up too soon. Downshifts are particularly slow with the paddles. However, the 2021 model was a marked improvement over the 2020 version.

With two extra cylinders, it's no surprise the ST is the least efficient Edge in the line-up. Its EPA estimates are 19/25/21 mpg city/highway/combined. The 2.0-liter turbocharged Edge manages 20/28/23 mpg, for comparison. While you can notice the difference by looking at the figures, the gap isn't big enough to drive away eco-minded individuals. The Edge's 18.5-gallon tank should be good for 388 miles between refills.