- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.0T, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
178kW, 345Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 8.6L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
5 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2017)
2018 Ford Escape review
The Ford Escape is a car that has lived in the shadows.
As the blue oval’s medium SUV, it has never been a best-seller, partly because the first generation - a model that was jointly-developed alongside the Mazda Tribute - was introduced at a time when SUVs didn’t rule the roads.
Ford then switched to the European-sourced - and far from female-friendly-named - Kuga before reverting to the Escape nameplate with the mid-life update to the latest-generation a couple of years ago.
That in-and-out badge philosophy hasn’t cemented the Escape in the same way as the Toyota RAV4 or Mazda CX-5. But it definitely shouldn’t be dismissed as a legitimate rival to the best sellers because, in some ways, the Escape is a benchmark example of the modern family SUV.
How many models can I choose from?
Ford offers an extensive model range for the Escape, with the choice of two- or all-wheel drive transmissions, petrol or diesel engines and four model grades.
The entry-level Ambiente, in front-drive configuration with a 1.5-litre turbo charged petrol engine and six-speed manual transmission, is one of the most affordable in its class and yet comes loaded with a decent spread of standard equipment, such as 17-inch alloys, cloth interior trim, dual-zone climate control, push button start and Ford’s comprehensive Sync3 infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen that includes sat nav, Bluetooth, digital radio, voice recognition and smartphone mirroring for Apple and Android devices. It also has rear air vents (a feature not all base models have), plus parking sensors and a reverse camera as well as a basic suite of electronic safety systems including low-speed automated emergency braking.
The same powertrain can be had in the mid-grade Trend specification, which adds a six-speed automatic as standard plus larger 18-inch alloys, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers and the ability to enhance its safety credentials with an optional Technology Pack that brings high-speed emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, automatic high beams and tyre pressure monitoring. It can also be had with an optional powered tailgate too, which is bundled together with keyless entry and push button start.
The Ambiente and Trend model grades carry over to the all-wheel drive versions with, the base model still powered by a 1.5-litre four while the Trend gets a larger 2.0-litre turbo four cylinder. That powertrain can also be had in a new-for-2018 ST-Line that brings a sportier appearance with black exterior highlights and 19-inch alloys as well a few extra goodies such as a high-grade Sony audio system, leather interior trim and front parking sensors, as wel the range-topping Titanium model.
As the flagship of the range, the Titanium adds keyless entry and the powered tailgate as standard and also brings a panoramic sunroof, ambient interior lighting, tray tables for back-seat occupants, electric adjustment for the driver’s seat and heating for both driver and front passenger as well as semi-automated parking assistance. It can be had with either the 2.0-litre petrol four cylinder or the 2.0-litre turbo diesel, which has a six-speed dual-clutch transmission rather than a torque converter automatic. The diesel can also be had in the Trend model grade too.
What do they cost?
Escape 2WD 1.5L petrol
Ambiente $28,990 (man)
Trend $33,490
Escape AWD 1.5L petrol
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Ambiente $33,490
Escape AWD 2.0L petrol
Trend $36,490
ST-Line $39,990
Titanium $45,840
Escape AWD 2.0L diesel
Trend $38,990
Titanium $45,840
* All prices exclude on-road costs
Any options I need to know about?
White is the only colour you don’t have to pay extra for with the other eight 'Premium Paint' hues costing an additional $600. An automatic transmission on the entry-level Ambiente will set you back $1500, or it can be had with all-wheel drive and the auto for an extra $4500.
The powered tailgate and keyless entry bundle on Trend models costs an extra $1200 and the Technology Pack on the Trend, ST-Line and Titanium models is a relatively affordable $1300.
Ford also offers an extensive list of official accessories, from towing kits, roof racks, bike carriers and body protection parts.
Any issues I need to know about?
The Escape, like all Ford models now, is covered by a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty with lifetime capped price servicing with free loan cars plus a first-year membership to your state-based auto club, such as the NRMA in New South Wales and the RACV in Victoria. Service intervals are set every 12 months or 15,000km (whichever occurs first) with the first three visits costing just $350 each.
Ford has had a series of notable issues with dual-clutch transmissions on related models like the Focus, but has replaced that problematic ‘Powershift’ transmission (fitted to the petrol engine) for a more conventional torque converter auto in this latest update. Otherwise, the Escape appears to have a solid reputation for reliability.
Which is the most economical model?
The diesel-powered Trend is the fuel sipper in this family, consuming an average of 5.5L/100km on the official combined cycle test. The entry-level, front-drive Ambiente is the next best with an average consumption of 6.3/100km with the manual transmission, 7.2L/100km with an automatic and 7.5L/100km with all-wheel drive. All 2.0-litre petrol models consume an average of 8.6L/100km.
Which is the safest model?
All models in the updated Escape range are now equipped with low-speed autonomous emergency braking as standard on top of the protection from seven airbags, which gives them a five-star crash test rating from ANCAP.
With the Technology Pack available for just $1300 as option on Trend, ST-Line and Titanium models, it’s disappointing Ford doesn’t fit the high-tech crash-avoidance systems as standard - at least in the flagship variant.
Which is the best model to drive?
We have yet to sample the Escape in ST-Line trim (as it has only recently joined the line-up) but considering it doesn’t bring any major mechanical upgrades it’s probably fair to assume its driving character isn’t that much different from other 2.0-litre petrol-powered models, which pack plenty of punch thanks to healthy 178kW and 345Nm outputs. With the ST-Line's larger 19-inch wheels, it is likely to offer a little more grip and it does look cool with its blacked-out body treatment.
But it could also spoil the composed level of compliance offfered by the Trend on its smaller 18s, which, in our opinion, has a sweet balance between comfort and body control.
If you’re planning on towing though, the diesel is the pick as it has the highest load rating of 1800kg (compared to 1600kg for all-wheel drive petrol models and 1500kg for the front-drivers).
Should I buy one now?
Ford is currently offering five years of free servicing on select models in the Escape range until the end of 2018, which is an attractive incentive that is worth around $2000.
Otherwise, this generation Escape is approaching the end of its lifecycle and an all-new model is due in 2020 using the more modern platform that underpins the latest Focus hatch and wagon that arrive in showrooms later this year.
Where’s the sweet spot?
For our money, the Escape Trend in 2.0-litre, all-wheel drive configuration offers the best value and nails the dynamic brief for a family-focused medium SUV with a comfortable ride and sure-footed handling. It's not the flashiest in its class, but it has a spacious, well-equipped cabin and a cracker of an engine.
2018 Ford Escape Price and Specifications
Price: From $28,990 (plus on-roads)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo / 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo / 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel
Power: 110kW (1.5L FWD) / 134kW (1.5L AWD) / 178kW (2.0L AWD) / 132kW (2.0L diesel)
Torque: 240Nm (1.5L FWD) / 240Nm (1.5L AWD) / 345Nm (2.0L AWD) / 400Nm (2.0L diesel)
Transmission: Six-speed manual, FWD / Six-speed automatic, FWD or AWD / Six-speed dual-clutch automatic, AWD (diesel only)
Fuel use: 6.3L/100km (1.5 FWD man) / 7.2L/100km (1.5 FWD auto) / 7.5L/100km (1.5 AWD auto) / 8.6L/100km (2.0L AWD auto) / 5.5L/100km (2.0L diesel AWD auto)