Performance SUV’s from Chevy and Ford, will they stack up?

Automakers are making performance SUVs more common. Some of the new ones to market don’t have spectacular numbers, will they live up to the hype? Is this a good idea and how will other manufacturers react?

The idea of a performance SUV is hardly a new thing, Mercedes was one of the first movers in the luxury SUV market with the first generation ML in 1998, followed by BMW with the X5. Both marques upped the ante with the AMG version of the ML and the X5M, which is the segment we are focusing on today.

Since then the luxury and sports car marques have been slow and semi-reluctant to adopt SUVs. Now Porsche, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Tesla, Lamborghini, and Bentley all make both luxury and performance SUVs. Even Jeep has the 707 horsepower Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.

Rolls Royce refuses to call their SUV as such but rather prefers to call it a “high-bodied sedan”. Even Ferrari, after denial after denial finally admitted they would also be making an SUV.   There is a place in the world for Super SUVs and Ultra Luxury SUVs in the marketplace, however, this article deals with the tamer side of Performance SUVs.

Which SUVs am I referring to specifically?

Ford and Chevrolet recently announced the Edge ST and Traverse RS trim levels respectively. The Edge ST and Traverse RS are not breaking any records for horsepower or top speed by any means but are still considered performance SUVs. The Ford Edge ST makes 335hp and the Traverse RS makes a whopping 257hp.  There is already rumor of a Ford Explorer ST trim circulating and even a very sporty looking concept has been spied draped in camo.

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These two SUVs are very reminiscent of yesteryear when Chevy seemed to be making everything an SS, HHR SS, Impala SS with front-wheel drive which really seemed to water down the badge. This seems very much like a weak attempt to sell a “performance” trim to people who don’t actually want a performance vehicle, but rather just want the status the badge brings.

They just don’t do the job well enough to be a “true” performance SUV that is able to keep up with the segment. Compare the Edge ST’s 335 hp and the Traverse RS’s 257 to Jeeps entry at 707hp.  They are both cheaper which is a huge plus, however, this doesn’t seem to cut it when for the most part this is an appearance package.

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Will this rant even really matter in the end?

No, people will still buy these like there is no tomorrow, they will be a sales hit. These two will set a new example for automakers to follow, soon there will be a Honda CRV-SI or a Mitsubishi Evo SUV…oh wait… it’s starting already, Mitsubishi already announced the next EVO will be an SUV crossover.