Ford Escape 2017 Review

What’s it all about?
Drawing on Ford’s global naming convention, the Blue Oval's facelifted Kuga medium SUV will be known as the Escape when it goes on sale in Australia in January.

Ford Australia says it hopes the eight-variant range will give it not only greater scope, but also a better chance of competing against stalwart rivals like the Mazda CX-5; which outsells the current Kuga five-to-one.

Encompassing Ford’s more aggressive trapezoidal body styling and with a range of petrol and diesel engines, the Escape also offers a mix of front and all-wheel drive variants, updated SYNC 3 infotainment technology and sharper pricing.

How much will it cost?
Priced from $28,490 to $47,490 (plus on-road costs) the eight-variant Escape range  arrives cheaper than the outgoing Kuga by between $200 and $900. Pricing of the optional Tech Pack is also reduced by $300 (to $1300).

Standard are inclusions such as dual-zone climate-control, a reversing camera, digital radio (DAB+), electronic parking brake and satellite navigation. Paddle shifters are also standard on all automatic variants.

Like the Kuga, the line-up will again offer three trim grades – Ambiente, Trend and Titanium. Ford backs the Escape with a three-year/100,000km warranty and roadside assistance program, as well as lifetime capped-price servicing.

Why should I buy it?
A more refined drive, a mix of drivetrains (the 2.0-litre petrol is a cracker!) and a wider spread of models give the Escape broad appeal. It’s a good size vehicle for couples and family buyers alike, features a strong list of standard equipment and is thoughtfully packaged.

The faster processor of Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment array – which includes sat nav, digital radio reception, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – is a bonus, as are revering sensors, MyKey integration and cruise control. All models offer alloy wheels.

The Escape’s ergonomics and excellent outward visibility are also appreciated, as is its quiet ride. The suspension may err of the firmer side, but this is typical of European-sourced medium SUVs (and does mean sharper dynamics).

The Ford Escape is currently being assessed by ANCAP and is expected to achieve a five-star safety rating.

When is it available in Australia?
With the outgoing Kuga now in run-out, the Escape arrives in dealerships next month and officially becomes available in January.

Entry-grade Ambiente variants (from $28,490) arrive $760 cheaper than the comparable Kuga, and are powered by an 110kW/240Nm (manual) or 134kW/240Nm (auto) 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine in conjunction with front or all-wheel drive.

The mid-spec Trend (from $32,990) is next, and is up to $900 cheaper than its predecessor. Also offered in front or all-wheel drive, the all-automatic Escape Trend offers the aforementioned 1.5-litre turbo-petrol, a 178kW/345Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol or a 132kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel.

At the top of the list, flagship Escape Titanium variants (from $44,990) offer a choice of both 2.0-litre engines, and are offered exclusively with an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

Combined-cycle fuel consumption figures range from 5.5 to 8.6L/100km (see separate story for details).

Who will it appeal to?
Like the Kuga before it, the Escape will appeal to family buyers with one or two children, couples and even those downsizing from larger sedans or SUVs.

The Escape can comfortably seat four adults, five at a pinch, and offers between 406 and 1603 litres of cargo space, accessed via an electronically-actuated tailgate on high-grade variants. The rear seats are split 60:40 to accommodate irregular objects.

Depending on variant, the Escape is also capable of towing between 1500-1800kg (braked).

Where does it fit?
The Escape sells in the medium SUV segment, challenging rivals that include the Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4.

With sharper pricing and a more extensive equipment list, Ford hopes the Escape can outsell its now defunct Kuga, a model that has sold just 3634 examples so far this year (to the end of October 2016).

Ford currently ranks ninth on the medium SUV sales ladder, behind the Honda CR-V (6697), Kia Sportage (9101), Mitsubishi Outlander (10,066), Subaru Forester (11,325), Nissan X-TRAIL (15,108), Toyota RAV4 (16,438), Hyundai Tucson (16,814) and Mazda CX-5 (20,702).

So, what do we think?
There’s no reason the Escape shouldn’t sell well. It’s a quiet and refined drive letdown only by a firmer ride on rough roads. The broad model mix should extend Escape’s appeal beyond that offered by the Kuga, as should the combination of sharper pricing and increased specification.

Of course, we’ll need to wait for an ANCAP safety rating before commenting on that front, and look forward to a comparison between our current medium SUV pick, the Tucson.

On the face of it, however, and after a brief stint behind the wheel, the Escape appears to offer most of what medium SUV buyers want. Ford just needs to work out how to get bums in seats!

2016 Ford Escape Ambiente pricing and specifications:
Price: from $29,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 134kW/240Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: TBC
Safety rating: TBC

2016 Ford Escape Trend pricing and specifications:
Price: from $32,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 134kW/240Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: TBC
Safety rating: TBC

2016 Ford Escape Titanium pricing and specifications:
Price: from $44,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 178kW/3450Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: TBC
Safety rating: TBC

Also consider:
>> Hyundai Tucson (from $28,590 plus ORCs)
>> Mazda CX-5 (from $27,890 plus ORCs)
>> Toyota RAV4 (from $28,550 plus ORCs)