Ford Escape models and prices revealed

Thursday, 27 February 2020

Despite it not landing here until September at the earliest, Ford has released pricing, spec and model line details for the all-new Escape SUV and they clearly have the Mitsubishi Outlander in their sites.

Mitsubishi's local product plan for the established Outlander could easily be seen as a template for the local Blue Oval strategy developed for Escape, and while Outlander and Escape are not completely comparable - as the Ford is only a five-seater, while the Mitsubishi is available as a five or seven-seater - there are similarities in how they otherwise present and position.

As with the Mitsubishi, whose PHEV form is the country's most popular choice of that technology, Ford also brings a choice of two powertrains, with a mix of front-wheel and all-wheel drive models, and also puts its plug-in hybrids in highest price list position.

The petrol-powered Escape will be available in FWD or AWD forms.

However, pricing is higher for the Ford product. Its petrol models will cost between $42,990 to $55,990 while the hybrids will go for $58,990 and $64,990 – around the same as the Outlander PHEV used to be before a price reduction in late 2018. Now they are up to $8000 cheaper.

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The Escape PHEV will have the ability to travel up to 50km on electricity alone.

* Road test review: Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

* Now an electric Mitsubishi Outlander is much cheaper than a diesel one

The Escape will come standard with a high level of equipment and technology.

* Two-thirds of New Zealand-new vehicles are SUVs or utes

* Ford SUV trying to escape the ordinary**

The Escape will feature a Ford Connect modem embedded in the car allowing for remote locking, remote start, vehicle status and vehicle monitoring from a phone.

The four petrol Escapes feature a 183kW/387Nm 2.0-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic, driving either the front or all four wheels. Ford claims an average combined fuel economy of 8.6 litres per 100km for both.

The two PHEVs get a 2.5 litre Atkinson cycle/electric powertrain hooked up to a constantly variable transmission. Both are FWD only.

The ST-Line X adds a handsfree tailgate to the Escape.

Ford says the PHEV powertrain produces a combined 165kW, and claims an optimal economy of 1.5 litres per 100km with the ability to drive 50km on electric alone.

The Escape's electric motor and generator are fed by a 14.4kWh lithium ion battery, which can be recharged using an integrated charging port and is automatically replenished on the move using regenerative charging technology that captures kinetic energy normally lost during braking.

Drivers can choose when and how to deploy battery power using EV Auto, EV Now, EV Later and EV Charge modes. When the battery reaches its lowest state-of-charge, the system automatically reverts to EV Auto mode, supplementing petrol engine power with electric motor assistance using recaptured energy to optimise fuel-efficiency.

Switching to the C2 platform that underpins Focus means the Escape is larger than the current model, being 44mm wider and 89mm longer, while the wheelbase has increased by 20mm.

Inside, that translates to additional shoulder and hip room front and rear. Despite a 20mm lower overall height, the all-new Escape also brings 13mm more headroom for front seat occupants and 35mm additional space in the rear. Ford also claims C2 delivers significant dynamic improvement.

Escape comes with FordPass Connect embedded modem as standard. Recently announced for the Ranger, this enables features including remote unlock/lock, remote start, vehicle status and vehicle monitoring, in addition to SYNC 3 with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone compatibility.

Also standard is a Driver Assist Technology suite which includes Autonomous Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection, evasive steering assist, forward collision warning, dynamic brake support, traffic sign recognition, Blind Spot Detection (BLIS), lane warning aid and lane keep assist, a driver impairment monitor, tyre pressure monitor and cruise control with adjustable speed limiter.

In addition to an entry spec that avails only with the petrol powertrain Ford will also have ST-Line and ST-Line X specifications, with wheel size upgrades – 18 inch for the first, 19s for the second.

The ST-Line also has its own upper grille design, sports side skirts and lowered sports suspension, black detailing inside and out, a 12.3-inch instrument cluster an a flat-bottom steering wheel plus metallic foot pedals.

The ST-Line X EcoBoost and PHEV extend the feature set with fully automatic parking, a handsfree tailgate and a B and O Audio System with 10 speakers.

A strong sports utility market will fuel Ford's hope of the car becoming a significant volume performer with this model and the smaller Puma, which will beat it to market.

It is also feeling increasing need to stake a presence in the electric sector, where ultimately the Mustang Mach-E will also presumably also feature, though that's still more of an 'if' than a 'when'.

Huge reliance on the Ranger utility, well above the industry standard, is also hanging over the Auckland distributor. Even though it qualifies as a commercial vehicle, the one-tonner is the brand's only significant seller to private and business buyers presently.

The most relevant of its passenger cars, the Focus, has failed to fire and interest in the Mustang – a kingpin early on – has tailed off significantly.