Ford is up there that it's offering in the competitive mid-size SUV segment, and this is
the 2020 Ford Escape. It's bigger than before. It introduces new powertrains to this segment,
and it has a whole host of new technology. Prices are up,
does the Escape nail its brief? Let's take a closer look.
The Escape, or the Kuga as it was formally known, is Ford's answer to the Mazda CX-5 and Toyota
RAV4. For 2020, the Blue Oval offering adopts a larger footprint, more cabin space, and the
integration of a lot more technology in a bid for segment leadership. For now, the Escape line-up is
strictly petrol and available across five grades, including the mid-level ST-Line front-wheel
drive tested here, priced at 37,990, plus on-road costs. A wider and longer track and larger overall
dimensions have liberated more cabin space inside the Escape, particularly in the second row,
which now makes use of a sliding bench function, a strong cargo area, helpful incidental storage,
and a thoughtful tech suite help underline the Escape's new-found appeal.
Even with that growth spurt taking into consideration, the Escape still feels like one
of the more athletic SUVs in its segment. Changes in direction are met with a great balance chassis
and overall composure. There's nice weighting and feeling to all the key controls. And the engine
as well is a real cracker. It produces plenty of power and torque, hence relatively efficient
on road as well. But the redeeming feature here with the Escape, even in the sporty ST-Line trim,
is that it manages all that while still being relatively comfortable and refined. No doubt,
there is a sporty premise to the ride and handling balance, but it's not done to the
detriment of the overall appeal of the ST-Line. It's still a really well-rounded and cohesive SUV.
Sharing its origins with the Ford Focus Hatchback, the Escape ST-Line adopts a suspension tune
with different spring rates to accentuate its sporty theme. And despite its larger size,
the new model also claims to be 90 kilograms lighter than before. At the same time, the
2-litre turbo petrol engine promises incremental performance improvements over previous iterations,
along with a claim fuel consumption average of 8.6 litres per 100Ks.
There is a lot of similarities between this and the Focus, and that's a good
thing. There is a little bit of torque steer in this front drive variant if you really
mash the accelerator. But when you push through a corner, the Escape has a similar balance feel as
the Focus. It's quite neutral, it deals well with changes in direction, and there's nice feeling
from all the key controls. That's not typically something that SUV buyers are after, but it's a
really great quality with the Escape. I'm gonna say the 2-litre engine has been surprising. With
those outputs, it's actually quite motivated, when you put your foot down. It works well with the
automatic transmission. And it's relatively fuel-efficient as well. We've managed 7.3
litres per 100Ks in a 700-kilometre loop of conditions that has included spirited driving.
The Escape's sporty dynamics, larger size, and considered cabin layout lend it plenty of appeal
as both a runabout and a fully-fledged family car.
Ditto, it's standard five-year warranty, an annual capped price servicing costs of $299.
The Escape also offers a five-year ANCAP safety rating based on 2019 regulations. In isolation,
it makes the Ford attempting proposition, and a genuine rival to the mainstream SUV set.
Early iterations of this car, in both Kuga and Escape forms, have left you
feeling a little bit so-so, but I've gotta say,
the latest generation Ford Escape is a real step forward. It's a lot more convincing,
the dynamic strengths of it are a lot clearer, but it's also balanced and comfortable as well.
When you take those after-sales provisions into account, this is a well-rounded SUV.