New Ford Escape from $36,490 drive-away at launch

The all-new Ford Escape will arrive in dealerships in November armed with advanced connectivity technology, powertrain upgrades, a fresh new look and a fistful of incentives to help it stand out in the crowded mid-size SUV class.

Promotional drive-away pricing has now been attached to the three entry-level Ford Escape models, kicking off at $36,490 for the front-drive Escape, $38,990 for the sporty front-drive ST-Line and $41,990 for the all-wheel drive ST-Line.

These represent modest increases of between $500 and $1000 over the recommended retail prices, boosting their value and appeal at launch.

Ford is also offering a $500 discount for buyers who test drive the new Escape in November or December.

Replicating some of the incentives created for the new Ford Puma compact SUV, the blue oval brand will also conduct virtual test drives, or ‘desk drives’, for the new Ford Escape.

The virtual test drives take place in real time on Facebook and include a walkaround of the vehicle hosted by Ford experts who are on hand to answer questions through a chat function.

Ford says this gives participants “the ability to access all key information in their new vehicle search”.

The Puma virtual test drive has apparently been viewed more than 400,000 times.

Ford’s first ‘desk drive’ of the new Escape is scheduled for mid-November, with details to follow on the Ford Australia Facebook page.

You can also check our overview video of the new Escape, which also highlights some of the key features including the brand’s first plug-in hybrid model in Australia.

Check out a preview of the new Ford Escape

Built on Ford’s C2 platform, the new Escape is lighter, stronger and bigger than before, growing in length and width to offer more passenger and cargo space.

Two powertrains are offered: a potent 2.0-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder (183kW/387Nm) and a 2.5-litre plug-in hybrid electric powerplant (167kW). Fuel economy is rated at 8.6L/100km for the former and just 1.5L/100km for the PHEV, which gets a 14.4kWh battery pack providing an electric-only range of 50km.

All Ford Escape models come with FordPass Connect, which allows remote smartphone-based car operations such as locking/unlocking the car, checking the vehicle status and even starting the engine.

Other standard features include wireless smartphone charging, digital radio, push-button start, an 8.0-inch touch-screen with the SYNC 3 operating system and Apple and Android smartphone mirroring.

Front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and power windows with global opening and closing via the key fob are also part of the new Escape, as are 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail-lights and a strong safety suite.

The latter includes six airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, traffic sign recognition, blind spot detection (BLIS), lane departure warning and lane keep assist, plus evasive steering assist.

ST-Line models add a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and sporty exterior and interior upgrades, including a flat-bottom steering wheel.

Range-topping Escape Vignale variants – which, like the PHEV, do not receive discounted drive-away pricing – have bigger 19-inch alloy wheels (or optional 20-inch rims), quad-projector LED headlights with dynamic cornering facility, advanced keyless entry, power-adjustable and heated leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, hands-free power tailgate and a head-up display.

Like all Ford vehicles, the Escape is backed by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, capped-price servicing program ($299 per annum for the first four years/60,000km), free service loan cars, SYNC 3 sat-nav map updates and a motoring club membership that includes roadside assistance.

How much does the 2020 Ford Escape cost?
Escape FWD – $35,990 ($36,490 drive-away)
ST-Line FWD – $37,990 ($38,990 drive-away)
ST-Line AWD – $40,990 ($41,990 drive-away)
ST-Line PHEV FWD – $52,940
Vignale FWD – $46,590
Vignale AWD – $49,590
* Prices exclude on-road costs (unless indicated)