Frugal new Ford Escape Hybrid revealed

Ford Australia is considering the case for a conventional self-charging hybrid version of the all-new Ford Escape, following the mid-size SUV’s launch earlier this month with regular engine variants.

Presented in Europe this week, where it is sold as the Ford Kuga Hybrid, the petrol-electric Escape would be a welcome addition to the Australian range considering plans to introduce a more sophisticated plug-in hybrid version at launch were scuttled and timing pushed back by at least 12 months in the wake of battery fires overseas that prompted a stop-sale of the PHEV.

Toyota has also proved there is strong demand for hybrids in this segment, receiving a huge response to its RAV4 Hybrid that was Australia’s top-selling vehicle bar none in August.

A Ford Australia spokesperson told carsales there were no local plans for the Escape/Kuga Hybrid “to share today” but that its launch here couldn’t be ruled out, indicating that the door is well and truly open for the economical model which sips fuel at a low rate of just 5.1L/100km.

“We always look to the best of our global portfolio for vehicles that suit the emerging needs of Australian customers,” the spokesperson added.

Related: Read the latest 2020 Ford Escape Review now

The Australian-spec Ford Escape PHEV set down for launch was based on the sporty mid-grade ST-Line and priced from $52,490 plus on-road costs – a whopping $11,950 more than the equivalent petrol-engined version.

The new plug-less series-parallel hybrid version should be a much more affordable proposition, potentially matching Toyota’s RAV4 pricing structure that sees the hybrid powertrain with a premium of only about $2300.

The new Ford Escape Hybrid is powered by a 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder petrol engine that combines with a small electric motor and a 1.1kWh lithium-ion battery.

This compares to the PHEV’s 14.4kWh battery which affords a circa-50km EV cruising range.

The fuel-efficient self-charging model has a combined power output of 140kW, which is down on the Escape PHEV’s 167kW, and won’t be able to drive far on pure-electric power.

Instead, the electric motor will help reduce fuel consumption by assisting acceleration and taking load off the petrol engine.

Both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions are available in Europe, with acceleration from 0-100km/h at 9.1 seconds.

As well as its 5.1L/100km fuel consumption claim, the Escape Hybrid emits CO2 at a rate of 118g/km, which is similar to the output of much smaller combustion engines.

The Ford Escape Hybrid comes in several different trim levels in Europe, and if it does get the green light for Australia it should be offered with the usual Escape standard features including an 8.0-inch touch-screen with Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system, wireless phone charging, remote vehicle operation via smartphone (FordPass Connect), a reversing camera, and LED headlights and tail-lights.

Apart from the Toyota RAV4, the only other hybrid mid-size SUVs on the market in Australia at present are the Subaru Forester Hybrid and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

The next Hyundai Tucson and Nissan X-TRAIL due in 2021 and 2022 respectively are among other models that look set to join the fray.