- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
1.5T, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
134kW, 240Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 7.2L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2017)
2017 Ford Escape new car review
There's a sense of deja vu from behind the wheel of the new Ford Escape.
Despite the new (old) name, and the promise of new technologies, there's an overwhelming sense of familiarity in the blue oval's critically-important new compact SUV.
That's a comforting thing though, because while Ford, its dealers and potential customers get used to having the Escape badge back in play, it is fundamentally a mid-life update for what is now previously known as the Kuga, which itself was an extremely under-rated (and under achieving) member of the popular compact SUV clan that is led by the likes of the Mazda CX-5, Toyota Rav4 and Subaru Forester.
The Escape has a lot of heavy lifting to do for the blue oval in a segment that is ever increasing in popularity, and one that is likely to overtake conventional passenger cars as the first choice for everyday family transport - if it hasn't already. With that, Ford is confident the Escape now offers a range of models that cover-off the vast majority of its rivals, including, for the first time, a front-wheel drive mid-spec Trend variant that it believes will be its most popular.
Key among the changes, apart from the name, is a new-look nose that adopts a more global style, the adoption of Ford's Sync3 infotainment system, small improvements inside the cabin, a new 2.0-litre petrol engine, revisions to the 1.5-litre petrol and 2.0-litre turbo diesel options and small price reductions across the entire range.
As before, the Escape will be offered across four specification grades starting with the Ambiente that is exclusively powered by a 1.5-litre four cylinder turbo petrol but offered with the choice of a six-speed manual ($28,490 plus on-road costs) or automatic ($29,990) in front-wheel drive or just the self shifter with all-wheel drive ($32,990).
The engine delivers 110kW and 240Nm and has a claimed average fuel consumption of 6.3L/100km with the manual transmission and ups the ante to 134kW and 240Nm with the automatic but reduces consumption to 7.2L/100km in front-drive form and 7.5L/100km in all-wheel drive configuration.
Apart from the mechanical differences, they all come with sat nav, Bluetooth, smartphone connectivity, digital radio, cloth seat trim, dual-zone climate control with rear-air vents, cruise control and push-button start.
From a safety perspective, the entry-level Escape has a five-star crash test rating, six airbags, a reverse camera and rear parking sensors as standard as well as Ford's innovative MyKey system, which allows parents to code a separate key for young drivers that limits some functions that may be distracting.
Quizzically, the $1300 optional Technology Pack that brings adaptive cruise with automated city braking, lane departure and blind spot warnings as well as automated high beams and tyre pressure monitors isn't available on the Ambiente variants. Instead, it is reserved for the mid-spec Trend and top-grade Titanium models, putting the Escape on the back foot against rivals such as the CX-5 and Volkswagen Tiguan which have AEB standard on every model grade.
The front-drive Trend costs $32,990 (plus on-roads) and is only available with a 1.5-litre turbo four cylinder and six-speed auto, but those in need of all-wheel drive can choose between the more powerful 178kW/345Nm 2.0-litre turbo petrol motor or a grunty 132kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo diesel.
The Trend specification brings extras such as 18-inch alloys, silver roof rails, automatic wipers, leather-wrapped gearlever, privacy glass and double laminated windows for extra sound insulation.
The Titanium is exclusively offered in all-wheel drive with either of the 2.0-litre petrol or diesel engines, and comes equipped with larger 19-inch alloys, leather trim, keyless entry, bi-Xenon headlamps, panoramic sunroof, hands-free power tailgate and a premium Sony sound system. The petrol Escape Titanium costs $44,990 (plus on-roads) while the turbo diesel costs $2500 more at $47,490.
In any specification, the Escape's fundamentals are all right up there with the best in class. The steering is well-weighted and has an elastic movement across the ratio, the brakes are solid with good modulation and the suspension is well-sorted with an excellent level of compliance and control that makes it both comfortable in any environment and enjoyable on a twisty back road.
The 1.5-litre turbo motor defies its on-paper numbers with enough low-rev urgency to shift the Escape's mass effortlessly around town and keep it cruising easily out on the open road. It works well with the six-speed automatic (we didn't try the lesser-powered model with a manual transmission) that now features paddle shifters on the steering wheel rather than the awkward buttons on the side of the gearlever.
But the 2.0-litre petrol alternative feels noticeably peppier when you call for all of its power and the turbo diesel, which is reasonably quiet and refined in the way it delivers its grunt, has plenty of pulling power on call for quick overtakes or steep hillclimbs.
As for the rest of the package, the dash is still a little fussy in its overall layout and its full-frontal centre console reduces small item storage space, but the cabin is otherwise well packaged with comfortable seats, good headroom for all occupants and decent legroom in the back. The Titanium model has fold-down convenience tables on the back of seat rest, but so does every variant in the Tiguan range.
Ford's latest Sync infotainment system is easy to use, has plenty of features and the display is simple, but we noticed you can't have the in-built sat nav running while using Apple Carplay, which was annoying.
Finding the sweet spot in the Escape line-up depends on your priorities, but the front-drive Trend will suit most buyers most of the time. The engine might be the smallest of the three available, but it is more than a match against larger capacity engines in rival machines, and most buyers, considering the predominantly suburban life it is likely to lead, will rarely need the added security of all-wheel drive.
But Ford is out of kilter with modern trends and some of its peers on the safety front by only offering its semi-automated driving aids as an option on higher-grade models only.
All in all, the Escape is - as the Kuga was - an under-rated compact SUV that doesn't have too many flaws and is well suited to modern family life. Deja Vu, indeed.
2017 Ford Escape Trend Price and Specifications
On-sale: Now
Price: from $32,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 110kW at 6000rpm
Torque: 240Nm at 1600rpm
Transmission: 6-spd automatic, FWD
Fuel use: 7.2L/100km