What Is Ford's ST-Line?

Stylish looks are prioritized over performance in this SUV trim level.

Benjamin Hunting | 

May 12, 2025 | 3 min read

Ford

Ford's version of this philosophy can be found when examining the ST-Line options of SUVs that it currently offers.

The History of Ford ST-Line

Although Ford had a long history of producing high-performance versions of its standard street fare — typically under the Special Vehicle Operations and Special Vehicle Team banners — the company lacked the same kind of organized structure for vehicles whose styling and presence were the primary focus.

When Ford decided to import its European ST performance brand in 2013, the opportunity arose for models that featured the visual drama of pure ST models without the expensive and, in some cases, less-than-comfortable drivetrain upgrades and suspension hardware.

Ford of Europe got a head start launching the first two ST-Line models in 2016: the Ford Focus ST-Line and the Ford Fiesta ST-Line. These two small hatchbacks borrowed much of their look from their full-on ST siblings but kept their price modest and their driving experience comfortable.

In the United States, Ford took a very different tack. The first Ford ST-Line offering was a midsize SUV, the Ford Edge ST-Line, which appeared as a 2020 model.

What Ford ST-Line Vehicles Are Currently on Sale?

As of 2025, two Ford ST-Line editions are available in showrooms. The 2024 Ford Edge ST-Line remains in the mix, and retails for about $44,000, while the 2025 Ford Explorer ST-Line adds an extra row of available seating and pushes the cost up to around $45,000.

What Does Ford ST-Line Have to Offer?

The Ford Edge ST-Line includes style-focused gear such as gloss-black 20-inch rims, LED lighting, red stitching on the steering wheel, and blacked-out exterior trim. It also features all-wheel drive as standard equipment, and a turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

The Ford Explorer ST-Line is similarly equipped, but it adds extra interior luxuries such as an upgraded stereo system, more red stitching on seat fabrics, and access to the ST-Line Street Package. The latter installs 21-inch wheels and bigger brakes (with red calipers). All versions of the Explorer ST-Line additionally feature Ford's Co-Pilot 360 safety suite and BlueCruise hands-free cruise control as standard equipment.

What Competitors Is Ford ST-Line Up Against?

The closest equivalent to Ford's ST-Line is the Chevrolet RS lineup, which adds a number of styling accents to the entirety of the brand's SUV family to provide a sporty appearance without adding much in the performance department.

All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication), and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.

Benjamin Hunting

Nearly two decades into his career as an automotive journalist, Benjamin has had his hands greasy, his hair blown back, and his heart broken by more than one project car. In addition to his work at Capital One, he has contributed features and reviews to Motor Trend, Car and Driver, Hagerty, Driving Line, Inside Hook, Super Street, European Car, Roadkill Magazine, Motor 1, The Drive, the Toronto Star, the National Post, Business Insider, NAPA, Autoblog, Automotive News Canada, and AutoGuide. He is also cohost of the Unnamed Automotive Podcast and cocreator of the Code 45 and Dead Air graphic novels. In his spare time, he's a friend to vinyl and enjoys keeping the shiny side up during track days.