Ford Edge ST vs. Ford Edge Sport: What’s The Difference?

The 2019 Ford Edge delivers a refresh to The Blue Oval’s midsize crossover. Part of the refresh is the introduction of the 2019 Ford Edge ST, which is the first SUV from Ford Performance, as well as Ford’s first performance SUV. The Edge ST replaces the Edge Sport in the Edge lineup, which also includes SE, SEL, and Titanium trims.

Now, the 2019 Ford Edge ST is not the Edge Sport with a new name. Instead, it contains several key features that set it apart from the outgoing Edge Sport. Let’s take a look at what’s different for the ST compared to the Sport.

Engine

On the engine side, the 2019 Ford Edge ST uses the same 2.7L EcoBoost V6 engine as the 2018 Ford Edge Sport, but the twin-turbo mill is tuned to be more potent in the ST.

Specifically, the Edge ST is good for 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, while the Edge Sport made 315 horses and 350 pound-feet.

Transmission

The 2019 Ford Edge ST also gets a transmission upgrade, adopting Ford’s new 8-speed automatic gearbox. By comparison, the Ford Edge Sport made do with 6 forward gears.

Power is sent to all four wheels via on all-wheel-drive systems on both models.

Fuel Economy

The 2019 Ford Edge ST is rated at 19 MPG city, 26 MPG highway, and 21 MPG combined. That’s better across the board than the 17 MPG city, 24 MPG highway, and 20 MPG combined achieved by the outgoing Ford Edge Sport.

We imagine that the new 8-speed automatic transmission is a big reason for the improvement.

Exterior

The entire 2019 Ford Edge family receives a facelift, giving the Edge ST a slightly different appearance over the Edge Sport. But the ST goes a step further by adding sporty front and rear bumpers, a gloss-black grille, body-colored side skirts, and ST badging throughout. The performance SUV rides on 21-inch wheels and is available in Performance Blue, a color unique to other vehicles from Ford Performance.

Meanwhile, the Ford Edge Sport featured a more sporty appearance compared to other pre-facelift Ford Edge trim levels. The model featured a piano black grille with a magnetic metal frame, unique front and lower rear fascia, and optional HID headlights. The Sport rode on 20-inch wheels.

Interior

Inside, the 2019 Ford Edge ST features contoured sport seats with suede and leather upholstery. Meanwhile, the Edge Sport receives unique leather upholstery with sueded inserts.

The difference here is that the seats on the Edge ST are more heavily-bolstered than the ones on the Edge Sport.

The Bottom Line

More than the sum of its individual parts, the Ford Edge ST differentiates itself from the Edge Sport by being a performance crossover SUV. By comparison, the Edge Sport of the past may have been sporty but it wasn’t a performance product.

To that end, Ford acknowledges the Edge ST as its first performance SUV and has included it in the prestigious Ford Performance lineup. It pumps out more power and torque than the Sport, has two more gears than the Sport, while being more fuel efficient. And though looks are subjective, but we think that the Edge ST looks better, too.

Change isn’t always good, but in the case of the Ford Edge ST, we’re happy to see the new model replace the old one. After all, the Edge ST is Ford’s quickest ST, ever.

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