New Ford Escape 2020

A bit like a Ford Focus on steroids, the 2021 Ford Escape is a hot model ready for life’s journey.  There’s a lot to like about the latest Escape: looks, comfort, safety and engines; but here’s a bit more info for you so that you can see what makes this new Ford Escape so likable.

Ok, we’ve hit on the fact that the new Ford Escape looks a lot different than the outgoing model, and way better looking in my opinion.  The lines are more streamlined and the Escape slips smoothly through the air, for what is a high-riding, spacious SUV.  It sits on the same chassis that the Ford Focus does, but don’t go calling it a fat Focus!  It has the SUV shape so that families and those who need room will be able to load up in comfort and head away to their holiday destination.

Ford Escape’s nice seats.

Longer, wider and with a larger wheelbase than its predecessor, the 2021 Ford Escape not only has more interior room but it rides more sumptuously, as well.  If you are looking for a mid-size SUV with great rear seat space, then the Escape will be hard to beat.  The seats are very comfortable, and there are great levels of leg and head room for all occupants.  Highly textured cloth seat upholstery is standard, while higher trim levels receive either convincing faux-leather seating surfaces or genuine leather in the top-spec model.

Loading cargo up and onto the flat boot floor is really easy, the tailgate can be electronic, and, should you require even more space, the split-fold rear seats fold down flat for copious luggage space (1534 litres).  Should you require towing a trailer or caravan, the new Escape has the capability to tow well over 2 tonnes.

Ford Escape SUV stylish new dash.

Seated in the front of the Escape, I was impressed with the style of the dash, the soft materials, nice and chunky leather steering wheel, the ergonomics, the comfort of the seats and the level of up-to-date technology.  Top of the range models can connect up to ten entertainment devices!  An active noise control system on high-end models will also make the Escape superbly quiet.

The 2020 Ford Escape will be available in three spec grades including the entry-level Escape.  It is more expensive (by quite a lot) than the outgoing model, however it comes with a more powerful engine and automatic gearbox as standard, along with plenty of extra kit that includes: push-button start, wireless smartphone charging, DAB+ radio, a SYNC 3 infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, voice-command in-built satellite navigation, aTraffic Management System, Australian accent recognition, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, power windows, cruise control with an adjustable speed limiter, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, evasive steering assist,forward collision warning, traffic sign recognition, blindspot detection, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, a driver impairment monitor and a tyre pressure monitor.

The 2020 ST-Line Ford Escape adds nice 18-inch alloys and a special upper grille design, sportier front and rear bumpers, side skirts, a lowered sports suspension, black roof rails and a bigger rear spoiler.  The interior is also sportier, with a flat-bottomed steering wheel, red-stitching and metallic foot pedals looking racy and eye-catching.  Opt for the ST-Line PHEV and you will get partial leather trim, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and a 10-speaker premium audio system for an awesome surround sound musical experience.

Top of the range sits the Ford Escape Vignale, which is a luxury-focused model with its own unique sporty body styling that includes a chrome front fascia, 19-inch alloy wheels and self-levelling LED quad-projector headlights.  These headlights also have a clever mechanicm that helps the driver to ‘see’ around corners.  The new Vignale also boasts: advanced keyless entry, a heated leather steering wheel, leather accented seating, 10-way power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, heated rear seats, a glorious panoramic sunroof, a Head-up display system, a hands-free power tailgate, a 180-degree rear-view camera and an advanced automated park assist system – capable of parking the SUV itself.

Being 90 kg lighter than the outgoing Escape and 10 percent more rigid, the strong body and great safety features enable the Escape to score highly in crash testing.  Five-star safety has the new Ford Escape staying very strong in a crash, but also the high level of crash avoidance equipment ensures you’re driving a very solid unit.  Pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection uses intuitive camera technology to scan the road ahead.  If a collision risk with a vehicle, pedestrian or cyclist is detected, it’ll then provide you with a warning.  If you don’t respond in time, the system can automatically apply up to full braking force to help reduce the severity of, or even eliminate, some frontal collisions.  The new Ford Escape can effectively drive itself on the motorway where it will stay in the lane and automatically observe the speed limits.  Vignale models can even park themselves into small car park spaces.  Just hold the button down and the car does the rest.

So the new 2020 Ford Escape takes on the likes of the Toyota RAV4, Subaru’s Forester and Mitsubishi’s Outlander.  Powering the 2021 Ford Escape are 2.0-litre hybrid engines, which boast excellent fuel economy.  The set-up is exceptionally frugal and easy on the wallet, at least when it comes to pumping gas.  There is a fully kitted out PHEV Ford Escape model, as well.

Powertrains include the familiar 2.0-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder turbo with a choice of FWD and AWD.  The 2020 Ford Escape’s 2.0-litre EcoBoost produces 183 kW of power and 387 Nm of torque and is coupled with an eight-speed auto.  It’s also available across the range as a FWD entry-level variant, and with either FWD or AWD in the ST-Line and Vignale.  Its claimed combined fuel economy is around 8.6 litres/100 km with either drivetrain.  To drive, the set-up is refined and energetic.

The FWD Ford Escape PHEV is only available in mid-spec ST-Line wares.  Combining a 2.5-litre four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle petrol engine, electric motor and generator and a 14.4kWh lithium-ion battery to produce 167 kW of power, the new Ford Escape ST-Line PHEV has an all-electric range of about 50 km.  This hybrid-tech enables the PHEV Escape to achieve a claimed combined fuel economy figure of just 1.5 litres/100 km on some occasions.  This new Ford Escape model is all yours for a little over $50k – similar pricing to the Mitsubishi PHEV alternative.

The FWD and AWD Toyota RAV4 Cruiser hybrid does cost less than an Escape PHEV, but it does have a standard hybrid powertrain without the plugin capability, as well as a higher 4.7 litre/100 km fuel consumption figure.

For a very practical, stylish family SUV it’s going to be very hard to bypass the 2021 Ford Escape.  There are other options out there, but all things considered, including the price and comfort, the Escape is right at the top of the field.

Ford Escape 2020

The current 2020 Ford Escape models include the:

• Escape 2.0L FWD
• Escape ST-Line 2.0L FWD
• Escape ST-Line 2.0L AWD
• Escape ST-Line PHEV FWD
• Escape Vignale 2.0L FWD
• Escape Vignale 2.0L AWD

For any more information on the Ford Escape or, for that matter, any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181.  If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Ford dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours.  Private Fleet – car buying made easy!