For generations, SUVs have been defined as bulbous cars having just two main tricks up their sleeves- practicality and road presence, and have faced the plague for being poorly fuel efficient, tight to park and bearing a heavy cost of maintenance. They were far from being vehement on the road. This is what then, brought a new trend in the world of automobiles. Many brands started manufacturing SUVs which were brutally powerful but all that grunt came at a hefty price beyond the means of most. However, the dais is set to be ablaze with the arrival of the Ford Edge ST which is terribly powerful, enthusiastic to drive, comes with no compromises on any other front and is a relatively affordable package.
EXTERIOR
The Edge ST is a typical SUV to look at what with its bold octagonal honeycomb grille and the massive air intakes above the bumper and on the sides. There are some cosmetic changes exclusive to the ST in the form of blacked out grille and black cladding on the bumper and air intakes imparting a head turning presence on the road. You will also find unique ‘L’ shaped fog lamps nicely integrated on the side and the ST badging on the grille.
The car stands haughtily on the 21’’ wheels which are gloss black painted. Come to the side and you will find a minimalistic exterior with scarcely any styling treatment except for a large protrusion just near the wheelbase and a crease finely ending into the boot. However, even then the car maintains an elegant stance and will surely get noticed wherever it goes.
The boot is made to look more aggressive with the addition of a spoiler and glossy black finish below the glass area. The rear bumper sees a matte black finish following which you find twin exhausts neatly brushed in aluminum. The car also has a voluminous boot space of 1111 liters on offer. The car measures 4705 mm in length, 1928 mm in width and 1735 mm in height.
You might also be interested in: Ford Edge ST makes UAE debut
INTERIOR
The interior looks rather German in its approach following an all-black theme. The entire dashboard seems to be tautly wrapped in high quality plastic and a thin sheet of leather atop it. There’s immaculate red leather stitching on the seats and the steering wheel arousing a sense of sportiness. The rear seats are well appointed and having a reasonably large wheelbase of 2850 mm, space at the back shouldn’t be a concern at all.
On the center console, sits a large touch screen infotainment system with inbuilt navigation and reverse parking camera. Also added to the list of features, is Android Auto and Apple Car Play and a responsive Smart Link connectivity for apps. The Edge ST also gets screens for rear passengers, selective all-wheel drive technology, automatic climate control, cruise control, paddle shifters and active noise cancellation to quote a few. On the acoustics front, you get nine speaker Bang and Olufsen audio system, driver assistance features include a compass, cross traffic alert, hill start assist, automatic headlamps, etc.
You might also be interested in: What engines are available in the 2019 Ford Explorer
ENGINE AND PERFORMANCE
This is where the Edge ST scores high. With 335 hp and 515 Nm of torque on tap from this marvelously manufactured 2.7 liter EcoBoost engine, it is blisteringly fast doing flat-out acceleration in about 6 seconds which is respectable considering its size. To put things into perspective, it has more power on paper than an Audi Q7. Enthusiasts are in for a treat in this Ford Edge as it has an entirely different character to exhibit. Despite being so powerful, it manages a combined fuel consumption of 11.7 litres/100 km winning high on that regard as well.
You might also be interested in: Is the Ford Focus ST AWD
VERDICT
The Ford Edge ST is a car meant for those looking for a spirited driving experience but also want a package that can seat four in comfort and one that has a large trunk capacity for weekend trips. The kind of features one gets at this price is also remarkable and Ford’s tried and tested 2.7 Liter V6 is one that is known to push out immense power. It also wouldn’t burn a hole in pocket as it is decently fuel efficient and at a price of AED 181,000 for the top spec ST trim, it offers a lot more oomph and kit than any other rivals and also those which are positioned segments higher. This makes it an excellent proposition and one you should definitely keep as your serious consideration while looking out for your next purchase.
