Ford Escape Trend 2017 Review

Ford’s updated mid-size SUV can more than hold its own against intimidating competitors like the top-selling Mazda CX-5. This is in large

part thanks to an updated exterior which I think isn’t outclassed even when parked next to upscale rivals from Audi or Lexus. Ford cleverly uses sleek roof rails and glossy metallic paint to help streamline the Escape’s SUV façade.

Inner space
Inside, the Escape is spacious for both front and back seat passengers. Even those over 180cm will be comfortable and the cargo area easily handled a weekend’s worth of camping supplies and luggage. Looks can be deceptive and the mid-size Ford Escape is quite long so the rear window can feel far away from the driver’s seat, but visibility is good, and drivers are aided by a rear-vision camera plus parking sensors. The dashboard is simple and uncluttered with plastic finishes, but manages to avoid feeling or looking cheap.

Most of the desired technology perks are on offer. The mid-grade front-drive Trend runs cruise control, automatic headlights and wipers, an 8.0-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth and USB audio, DAB radio, reversing camera and parking sensors.

Curiously there’s a push-button start but no keyless entry – isn’t the objective to avoid fumbling with your keys when opening the doors?

Intuitive satellite navigation
Ford Escape’s satellite navigation system, Bluetooth pairing and cruise control are all intuitive and user-friendly, but the Trend model is disappointingly lacking in safety technology like forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring or Autonomous Emergency Braking. I say this because the Escape feels modern and practical, so I assumed Ford would have these items included even in its mid-spec model.

What Ford didn’t skimp on is the excellent climate control system with rear vents. The dual-zone set-up allowed me and my warm-blooded car-mate to each enjoy our own temperatures. But no seat heaters? Tragedy. Although, in chilly weather the Trend’s fabric seats are a little more forgiving than leather.

While Bluetooth connection is excellent, music is best played through a USB connection. However, if you’ve got an iPhone, the car automatically kicks into Apple CarPlay mode which can mess with the satellite navigation and prevent you from using the car’s own entertainment system. We spent hours trying to get the balance between phone and car right and eventually settled on turning off CarPlay entirely.

Hatchback handling
The Ford Escape Trend impresses on the road. It has plenty of power even for a mid-size SUV, but handles like a hatchback . Transmission is zippy, brakes are smooth and there’s an overwhelmingly sturdy feel to the chassis for peace of mind even on some snaking mountain roads in the rain.

My one complaint is the 11.8m turning circle. Be prepared for three-point turns at locations where you normally manage U-turns.

Dollars and sense
The new Ford Escape range enjoys a slight price cut compared to its Kuga forebearer but being above the $30,000 mark means it’s more likely a family car than one for young singles. It’s worth mentioning too that even with idle-stop, the fuel consumption hovers around 10L/100km and filling the tank costs around $70.

Regardless, I rather enjoy my time in this quiet achiever. What it lacks in overt X-factor is made up for in comfy reliability, ease of use and peace of mind.

Escape by name, escape by nature.

Ford Escape Trend AWD 2.0-litre EcoBoost
When reincarnating its Escape SUV, Ford’s intention must surely have been to convince at least some buyers this was something other than a made-over Kuga.

To some extent, the stylists were successful: The Escape is indisputably more assertive at the front, the rear end is cleaned-up, and the interior is, well, the same but different – in a positive way.

Escaping Kuga connotations
The overall effect has been to give the mid-size Ford SUV a slightly less awkward look, particularly at the rear, where it needed it most. But overall, the Escape still doesn’t match the mid-size SUV segment’s style-meister, the Kia’s Sportage (even though the current model Sportage is not as cleanly-sculpted as its predecessor).

Inside, the makeover is even less extensive, but subtle cosmetic changes, and the adoption of technology such as the latest Ford SYNC3 infotainment system, result in a package which is slightly tidier and easier to live with.

Otherwise there is a new steering wheel, and a simplified dashboard which is more sombre as piano black has made way for matte grey.

Technology – at a price
Even though all Escapes get a five-star ANCAP rating, in second-tier Trend form, and even in the range-topping Titanium grade, Ford asks you to pay $1300 more for the Technology Pack which includes items like ‘Active City Stop’ autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane keeping aid with lane departure warning, auto high beam control, driver impairment monitor and tyre pressure monitoring.

And if you’re after a Trend-spec Escape with a power tailgate, plus push-button start, you’ll need to add $1200 to the price.

Smile on the dial
Ford’s mid-size SUV shows evidence of thoughtful design in many areas, not the least of which is the slick, simple folding mechanism for the rear seat where, in one easy movement, the cushion lowers itself out of the way as the backrest swings down.

The Trend model adds paddle shifters for the six-speed automatic transmission which brings a smile to your dial when traversing dips and dives on a winding road as you extract the best from that torquey turbo-petrol engine.

Trend-spec Escapes also come with 18-inch alloy wheels running 235/50 tyres which do a good job of assisting accurate placement in bends while contributing to what is actually a pleasingly smooth, absorbent ride. The Escape is acceptably quiet inside too, leaving enough space in the soundscape so passenger conversations or talk-back radio aren’t impacted when cruising the freeways.

Of course the latest Escape inherits the refined ride/handling of its predecessor and puts in a solid serve of performance through its smooth 178kW turbocharged 2.0-litre, while showing respectable fuel economy. On test, in mixed driving conditions, it returned 7.5L/100km, which was better than Ford’s official 8.6L/100km and added weight to the improved-efficiency claims for this engine.

Unquestionably, the Ford Escape is an improvement over its Kuga-badged predecessor: All it needs is a bit of marketing grunt to achieve the market performance it clearly deserves.

Related reading:
>> Ford Escape 2017 Review
>> Ford Escape 2017 Video Review
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