In Ford-speak, ST is short for Sport Technologies. It’s like M, AMG, or any of the other performance acronyms we’ve come to know and love over the years. Ford’s ST models are nothing new; it’s ST-Line of vehicles, however, are. Cue the 2020 Ford Edge ST-Line. It is not a variant of the six-cylinder Edge ST. Instead, the Edge ST-Line is a slightly sportier version of Ford’s run-of-the-mill, four-cylinder, mid-size crossover.
In short, the ST-Line brings the looks of the ST, but not its price or performance, to the standard Edge. The model includes sporty-looking body cladding, an ST-style grille, more aggressive side skirts, a set of gloss-black 20-inch wheels, and requisite ST-Line badging (so no one confuses it for a real ST).
Like almost all other Edge models (sans the ST), the ST-Line relies on a 250-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four for motivation. Those horses are routed to the front wheels by way of an eight-speed automatic gearbox. All-wheel-drive, however, is an option. Those looking for a little extra dynamic capability from the Edge ST-Line can opt for the ST Performance Brake package. Ford did not share what comes with the package, but it’s safe to assume the option adds—at the very least—more fade-resistant brake pads. Other options include automatic parking, adaptive cruise control, and a lane-centering system.
With Ford abandoning the Fiesta and Focus in the states, the brand’s crossover SUVs are attempting to step up to fill the practical performance hole in the Blue Oval’s lineup. Notably, Ford also sells an ST variant of the Explorer. While neither the Edge or Explorer ST are true replacements for the Fiesta and Focus STs of yore, both crossovers at least attempt to push performance boundaries.
The Edge ST-Line, though, comes off as somewhat half-baked. After all, it takes more than some racy-looking trim and nice wheels to make a performance vehicle. That said, the Edge ST-Line will likely do the trick for those who care more about looking like they drive a sporty crossover above all else. Plus, with a starting price of $39,345, the Edge ST-Line starts at more than $5,000 less than its ST sibling. If you prefer value and sporty looks over actual performance, then this might be the Edge for you.
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