THE timing is ideal. Collect the troops, wrangle up the household pet, it’s now or by no means. It’s time for The Nice Escape – the 2021 Ford Escape ST-Line, that’s. Whether or not it’s a highway journey to ‘Wally World’ or a beachside getaway, the Escape encourages you to simply drive.
Queue up Lindsey Buckingham’s Vacation Highway, and hit the highway, with the ST-Line’s sporty physique package and the Escape’s curvaceous physique, wearing Speedy Crimson, making certain that whilst you might not hear it coming, you’ll actually get seen, in all places you go.
As soon as seated inside, it is vitally straightforward to neglect that you simply aren’t in a high-end automobile of a European flavour. The spacious cabin is sensible and cozy, adorned with technological options and a revamped look.
The entrance seats really feel a little bit out of character although, with handbook adjustment and fabric trim, regardless of their consolation ranges. The SYNC 3 infotainment system is managed by an 8.0-inch color touchscreen that feels a little bit underdone too, when it comes to measurement.
And whereas the usual 6-speaker sound system gained’t see you because the go-to DJ for an impromptu automobile park rave, it will get fairly loud. The tech is sweet too, with DAB+ digital radio, satellite tv for pc navigation, entrance and rear USB ports, and Bluetooth.
There’s a wi-fi telephone charger, in addition to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Applink too. The Ford comes geared up with an embedded modem for FordPass Join, one of many many options that can assist you and your Escape talk and bond.
The FordPass Join package deal means that you can use your smartphone to seek out your automobile, lock and lock and unlock doorways, do a gas stage verify, and begin the engine remotely to warmth or cool the cabin to the final identified setting.
A phenomenal 12.3-inch digital cluster asserts its dominance over the motive force, and the graphics and format put many different manufacturers to disgrace. Even higher, the head-up show remains to be seen by means of polarised sun shades.
In case your thought of a super getaway is getting off the overwhelmed observe, then might we advise the AWD model of the Escape. However for normal duties in mum’s taxi or dad’s shuttle service, your passengers will likely be leaving 5-star critiques.
The 183kW 2.0-litre GTDI Ecoboost engine took us abruptly. It proves that the Escape is not any slouch, and sits someplace between zippy and wow, we really feel. Ford have married up this little powerhouse with an 8-speed computerized gearbox and paddle shifts too.
The Escape is an absolute delight on highway, the journey is easy and cozy, steering and dealing with is a breeze, though at occasions feels overly assisted. It’ll be a tonne of enjoyable in multi-level procuring centre carparks.
For those who’re feeling the necessity for pace, the Escape can transfer when she must, too. Maintain onto the leather-based flat bottomed steering wheel and put your foot down, however be warned, after a second’s delay, the 387Nm can actually take a look at the grip of the manufacturing facility Continentals.
Acceleration throughout regular driving can appear a little bit jittery at occasions, with the Ford Escape ST-Line feeling much less like a mid-sized SUV and extra like a hatch. It has a mixed gas economic system of 8.6-litres/100km (claimed). We managed 9.9-litres.
There are 5 totally different drive modes to select from, together with Regular, Eco, Sport, Snow/Sand and Path. Apparently, we discovered the distinction between Regular and Sport to be minimal.
Ford have included different technological wizardry within the Escaple too, together with ambient LED lighting, adaptive cruise management, lane-keeping help, blind-spot monitoring, site visitors signal recognition, cross-traffic alert, and tyre stress monitoring.
There’s additionally driver impairment monitoring, hill launch help and site visitors jam help as normal. You additionally get entrance and rear parking sensors and a good reversing digital camera, however there’s no 360-degree encompass view out there.
There’s an abundance of room although. Having the entrance row seating all the way in which again nonetheless presents loads of leg room for vertically blessed second row passengers, even with child or little one seats. The little folks couldn’t even kick the again of the seats.
And on the subject of again seat day care, we discovered the inclusion of centrally situated cup holders within the again to be tremendous useful, and a neater choice for little palms to succeed in.
Second row seating is adjustable too, and relying in your Tetris expertise, three little one seats can be utilized fairly successfully. A handsfree tailgate provides you entry to the massive 556-litre rear boot area, which might be additional elevated to 1,478-litres.
You’ll after all need to decrease the seats and do one thing with the kidlets.
Its clear Ford has prioritised area and comfort all through, with even the standard shifter changed by an digital one, offering a much less cluttered console.
Given the general structural design, head room is great, which in flip assists with the transportation of bigger cargo and makes the set up and elimination of kid seats all that extra handy.
A 5-star ANCAP ranking ought to fulfill any security considerations you might have too. Each in and out, the Escape is a quiet achiever, with little to no cabin noise and an exhaust notice that’s just about non-existent.
The 2021 Ford Escape ST-Line (2WD) is considered one of six totally different specs, which contains AWD and front-wheel drive variations. Our ST-Line hit the highway at $38,490 drive away, which is nice worth for this worth level.
Its eye catching from any angle, and in any color. The vary consists of Frozen White, Agate Black, Magnetic, Photo voltaic Silver, White Platinum, Blazer Blue, Speedy Crimson (as examined) and Blue Metallic.
Inside smart, Ford have 4 totally different choices primarily based on the mannequin of Escape you select, together with fabric, fabric with distinctive ST-Line stitching, partial leather-based and leather-based accented (as discovered within the Escape Vignale).
Ford presents a 5-year limitless kilometre guarantee and $299 servicing per normal A or B scheduled service for as much as 4 years/60,000km. Day by day drive, weekend expeditions, or offspring transporter; you’ll be able to ‘Go Additional’ with the 2021 Ford Escape ST-Line.
Our take a look at automobile was offered by Ford Australia. To seek out out extra in regards to the 2021 Ford Escape ST-Line, contact your native Ford dealership. Photos courtesy of J_Hui Design/Images.
