What's New: 2019 Ford Edge

Exterior
This is the first face-lift for the Edge since it switched to its current platform from a Mazda-designed chassis for the 2015 model year. The 2019 model is a mild redo, with new headlights, bumpers and taillights; it maintains the fenders, roof and door panels from the previous model.

The ST model gets a different color scheme, with blacked-out trim, grille and side sills. The grille itself also has a hexagonal pattern that’s meant to be sportier than the body-color unit on other Edge trims (SE, SEL, Titanium). There are four new wheel and color choices, with Performance Blue being exclusive to the ST.

Interior
While the exterior gets a light freshening, the interior does not. It carries over almost unchanged from 2018, with the exception of an update to the center console shifter. The move to a new electronically controlled eight-speed automatic transmission sees a new rotary shifter installed in the console, just like in the larger Explorer.

Dimensionally, the interior is unchanged, as are the materials. The ST model gets some more heavily bolstered seats and unique leather patterns with silver seat stitching, along with different sill plates, a unique gauge cluster and an ST-branded steering wheel. New options include a 12-speaker B&O Play premium audio system by Bang & Olufsen, Qi wireless smartphone charging and remote start. The FordPass Connect multimedia connectivity system with Wi-Fi will be standard, enabling the connection of up to 10 wireless personal electronic devices, and enabling communication with smartphones via the FordPass app. Sync app link will also enable in-vehicle Amazon Alexa home connectivity.

Under the Hood
The standard engine for the new Edge is a turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder making a healthy 250 horsepower and 275 pounds-feet of torque. It’s mated to a standard eight-speed automatic transmission, which is new for 2019. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive optional.

The ST features the twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 found in the Fusion Sport, but it makes slightly more power here — 335 hp and 380 pounds-feet of torque. It is also mated to the eight-speed automatic, but the transmission gets a special tune and different gear ratios. Both powertrains get the rotary shifter, and the ST also features a Sport mode that changes shift patterns, throttle mapping and the instrument-cluster display while also adjusting the piped-in exhaust tone.

Wheel sizes range from 18 inches on lesser Edges up to optional 21-inch summer tires on the ST. An optional performance e-brake package with vented rear rotors and red-painted calipers is optional on the ST as well.

Safety
Ford is upping its safety game on the 2019 Edge by making a lot of electronic safety equipment standard. This includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and lane keep assist, post collision automatic braking and LED headlights with automatic high beams. Optional is parallel and perpendicular parking assist, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane-centering capability.