- 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)
She says, he says: 2017 Ford Escape Trend
She: Car names can be unusual. Some are good others are perplexing. Take the Ford Kuga. Apart from the black plague, the word (pronounced cougar) can also conjure up images of an older woman in pursuit of a much younger man. Imagine if there was a family car named "sugar daddy"? It's kind of awkward. Thankfully, like the black plague, the Kuga name has been abolished with Ford Australia reverting to its old nameplate. And there's a lot to like about the new Escape.
He: I completely agree about the name change - surely "Escape" is one of the best possible words for an SUV intended to take you places a regular hatchback can't go? Moving beyond the moniker, the revised Escape features updated styling that represents evolution rather than revolution, as this is structurally the same car as before. The cabin has also had a tweak, one that enabled Ford to install its latest infotainment system.
She: I like the cabin - while it's not flashy, it's certainly functional. The new electric handbrake frees up space and there's ample room for storage space, and Ford's new Sync 3 touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is great to have.
We're driving the new Escape Trend, which is now available with a turbocharged engine and front-wheel-drive layout shared with the highly acclaimed Ford Focus range. Was the engine punchy enough for you Dave?
He: I don't mind the 1.5-litre turbo in the cheapest Trend, which offers up decent 134kW and 240Nm outputs. Ford fans are spoiled for choice with the Trend - a mid-range model that usually represents the best balance of price and equipment within the range - as the Escape offers a choice of three engines in this model. You can have it with the efficient 1.5-litre, front-drive combination seen here, a more powerful 2.0-litre petrol all-wheel-drive model, or a top-end 2.0-litre diesel variant with all-wheel-drive.
She: I'm a big fan of the Ford Focus Trend, which is Drive's reigning Small Car of the Year winner. So the bar had been set high even before I stepped behind the wheel. I'm pleased to say the Escape Trend didn't disappoint performance-wise, as it's one of the nicer SUV's I've driven.
This engine is eager, with the right amount of kick. The steering feels firm and balanced and it's quiet on the road. Ford says the Escape achieved a higher ANCAP safety test score than the Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage and Mazda CX-5 (36.33 out of a maximum 37). However I was surprised that some advanced safety features, such as Autonomous Emergency Braking aren't standard, not even in the range-topping Titanium. You'll need to fork out an extra $1300 for the Tech Pack.
He: That is a little disappointing, as is Ford's decision to restrict optional safety gear to mid and high-grade models - you can't have it on the entry-level Ambiente. I was pleased to see that Ford essentially admitted it has been doing the wrong thing with automatic transmissions, ditching its troubled dual-clutch auto in favour of a conventional torque converter unit, and getting rid of horrible gear selection toggle switches on the side of the gear lever that have been replaced by shift paddles.
The new front-wheel-drive Trend steers sweetly - dynamics were always a Kuga strong point - and feels at home around town or at higher speeds. Ford's tech pack also works well in the real world, though I don't like the way its active cruise control system disengages at low speed - if you're letting the car brake by itself in traffic, you shouldn't have to dive in and resume control when it gets to jogging speeds.
She: The tech pack is a must for me, as I found the rear design of the car restricted my blind spot visibility. The Escape Trend starts at $32,990 - do you think that's competitive enough against the likes of the Toyota RAV4 or top-selling Mazda CX-5? I think the Escape Trend is a genuine contender, though the blue oval faces a mammoth test in an overcrowded and competitive sector.
He: This really is an extraordinarily important part of the market for car companies - and there really are some excellent options. True to form, Ford has one of the best cars in its category, though it hasn't managed to convince people to buy them in big numbers. The Escape is an impressive car, though I'd want to have a drive of the second-generation Mazda CX-5 and upcoming Nissan X-Trail and other class leaders before putting my cash on the line.
2017 Ford Escape Trend pricing and specifications
Price: From $32,990 plus on-road costs
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 134kW at 6000rpm
Torque: 240Nm at 1600-5000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic, front-wheel-drive
Fuel use: 7.2L/100km