SCORE
3
RD
/ 10
7.5
WOLF IN KUGA’S CLOTHING REMAINS A POWERFUL CONTENDER
Ford Escape Trend
GOOD riddance. ‘Escape’ is far more apt for a
lifestyle-promising SUV than the controversial Kuga
nameplate (blame the Germans) it usurps, with the
swaparoo finally addressing a key reason for the
European Ford’s failure to fire in Australia.
However, the menu is not the meal, and this
2013-vintage SUV still has an uphill battle to fight,
even with a name that’s literally no longer on the nose.
Exhibit A: what you see. Rather oddball in some of
its detailing, a number of the Escape’s ‘improvements’
don’t quite gel. Behold, for example, the newly bluffer
grille that only accentuates the thick-limbed body’s
slight awkwardness. The same applies inside.
While the tweaked dashboard boasts an in-vogue
touchscreen with Ford’s massively improved SYNC3
multimedia interface, it lives within a heavy-handed
hood that looks like Darth Vader’s mask. Trunk-like
A-pillar bases could hide a whole Death Star from the
driver’s view, and clap-arm wipers thud during each
sweep, failing to clear the entire screen properly. The
front passenger feels higher than a Cypress Hill fan,
perched on a seat with no downward adjustment, but
at least the gearlever’s confounded, side-mounted shift
toggle gives way to a pair of proper wheel paddles.
Yet these are all superficial observations because
the Escape’s driving position is first class. Its front
seats are firmly supportive, the steering wheel is
perfectly sized, ventilation is brilliant, the dials classy
(and include a clear digital speedo), the build quality
acceptable, and there’s plenty of room.
Moving to the back, the cushion might look
emaciated, but the elevated hip point enables a more
natural posture that proves comfortable, aided by a
reclining backrest, rear vents and an invitingly airyambience. Unexpected wins include remote control-
activated windows (with auto up/down for all), capless
refuelling for cleaner hands, and a one-tap retractable
cargo blind for the usefully large luggage area.
At the other end is a lusty yet refined 134kW/240Nm
1.5-litre turbo four, offering gutsy off-the-line
performance as well as a steady stream of instant
oomph for effortless overtaking. Among the fastest in
every acceleration increment, the Ford’s impressive
fuel economy came as one of the test’s most welcome
shocks, assisted by a seamless idle-stop system.
Braking proved the best of the bunch too.
Also keeping Escape youthful is its leading dynamic
agility, with the group’s most fluid and intimate
steering, providing gloriously precise handling and
beautifully poised roadholding, as well as firmly
controlled, yet reasonably supple, ride comfort.
Keeping in mind that the Trend wears 235/50R18
rubber, initial bump impact feels quite firm at first
(and so isn’t in the same league as the super-absorbent
Forester), but the dampers do smooth things out
with disciplined cushiness. Road/tyre noise is also
agreeably contained in most circumstances.
Focused and refined, this Ford is the medium
SUV set’s top driving machine, as well as one of the
best-equipped. Note also that while AEB is optional
($1300), it is accessibly bundled with rear cross-traffic
alert, lane-departure warning and assist, auto high-
beam, adaptive cruise and blind-spot monitoring.
Three years ago a (thirsty) Kuga 1.6T AWD managed
the same score (but second place) in our medium
SUV Megatest. So third spot for its ageing yet more
sophisticated, and oh-so-likeable successor is a terrific
effort. The Escape isn’t just about changing names. BM$34,290*
Engine
1499cc 4cyl, dohc, 16v turbo
Power
134kW @ 6000rpm
Torque
240Nm @ 1600-5000rpm
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Dimensions
(L/W/H/W-B)
4524/1838/1749/2690mm
Weightt
1532kg
Cargo capacity
406 litres
Tyres
Continental ContiSportContact 5
235/50R18 101V
Fuel consumption
10.5L /100km (tested)
0-60km/h
3.9sec
0-100km/h
9.6sec
0-400m
16.8sec @ 131.3km/h
30-70km/h
3.4sec
80-120km/h
7.1sec
100km /h-0
37.4m
3yr resale
56%
✔^ Ace steering; lovely balance;
strong engine; terrific value
✘^ Dorky dash; ageing design
* Includes tech pack ($1300)SPECS