The sporty ST-Line sits mid-pack within the Ford Escape vary, with three completely different variants at this trim stage. You’ll be able to select from the front-wheel or all-wheel drive choices, or the Plug-In Hybrid FWD we’re testing right here.
Powered by a 2.5-litre petrol engine, paired with an electrical motor, the Escape PHEV delivers 167kW of energy, is paired with an eCVT, and presents gasoline financial system based on Ford of simply 1.5-litres/100km.
In the actual world, that’s extra like 3.4-litres/100km, which remains to be mega-impressive. It’s able to 56km in EV-only mode and our gasoline determine above assumes you’re charging it usually.
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If you happen to neglect, and your battery is out of rise up and go, it’ll nonetheless handle round 5.5-litres/100km. That’s a brilliant constant consequence in our eyes. Nevertheless it’s not the gasoline financial savings (and God is aware of we want these) which can be most spectacular in regards to the ST-Line hybrid.
It comes with loads of goodies, though you do want to purchase some foolish issues as add-on equipment, just like the bag for the charging cable. Likewise, it handles very effectively on the highway, and is a pleasure to drive, however you’ll have need the Parking Pack and ST-Line Choice Pack bits.
These latter two are $1500 and $1950 respectively and add semi-automated park help, a entrance digital camera and pop-out door edge guards within the case of the primary pack, and a powered tailgate, heated entrance seats, matrix LED headlights and a head-up show within the second.
These are issues we reckon ought to be customary, not less than partially, on a car you’re paying $60,000 drive away for (that’s a $15K premium over the usual ST-Line FWD, though on this case you do get an epic Bang & Olufsen 10-speaker sound system).
Partial leather-based trim and a 10-way energy adjustable driver’s seat are additionally included. That is on prime of the usual ST-Line cool package like 18-inch alloys, wi-fi telephone charging, DAB+ digital radio, an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Entrance and rear parking sensors, be part of a reversing digital camera and sensible key in a set of security tech that features adaptive cruise management with cease/go, ABS, auto headlights and excessive beam, and autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and bicycle owner detection.
There’s additionally blind spot monitoring, reverse cross site visitors alert with braking, driver impairment monitoring, stability management, emergency help and emergency brake help. Hill launch help, lane maintain and lane departure help are all included too.
It has a 1,200kg braked towing capability and boot house is a good 556-litres. With the rear seats down, that grows to 1,478-litres. These again benches supply loads of leg and head room, even for taller passengers.
You’ll additionally discover a centre armrest, cup holders, USB ports and vents. Up entrance, the cockpit feels fashionable, helped by the digital instrument cluster, however considerably dated due to the dimensions of the touchscreen. It appears to be like a lot good although.
The pink stitching all through is a pleasant contact too, together with the blue ambient lighting. We’d prefer to see a barely bigger centre storage cubby but it surely’s enough. There’s a few drive modes to select from too, and shifting is through a console mounted dial.
On the highway, it’s enjoyable to drive, with first rate steering and good physique management. The experience high quality is balanced but it surely isn’t an enormous fan of potholes. It’s decrease experience peak doesn’t assist that final one, but it surely does really feel fairly car-like general.
The 2022 Ford Escape ST-Line Plug-In Hybrid comes with 5 drive modes, together with Eco, Regular and Sport, in addition to its personal EV particular regenerative charging modes, of which there are 4 to select from.
EV Auto the default, set and neglect choice. There’s additionally Now, which prioritises battery, Later, which makes use of the engine to maintain a set battery cost, and Cost, which accurately turns the petrol powerplant into an enormous generator to pump the battery full of additional cost.
Whereas it gained’t set the world alight with its efficiency, it’s an exceptionally good, medium SUV to get round in. It positively misses not having all-wheel drive, and the bits of what ought to be customary tools that it’s a must to purchase to get, hurts its trigger.
That stated, it actually is tough to fault from a driving perspective, and it’s positively bought an actual model and feel and look about it that makes it value a check drive, on the very least. You’ll be able to select from Speedy Pink (as examined), Frozen White, Blazer Blue and Agate Black.
You may as well have it in Blue Metallic, Magnetic, Photo voltaic Silver and White Platinum. It comes with a 5-year limitless kilometre guarantee and roadside help. There’s an 8-year 160,000km guarantee on the EV drivetrain.
You’ll be able to construct your individual on the Ford Australia web site. As at all times, we suggest buying round for an excellent worth, or you’ll be able to take a look at PriceMyCar for one of the best deal. If you happen to’re eager on one and wish finance, go to CreditOne.
Our check car was offered by Ford Australia. To search out out extra in regards to the 2022 Ford Escape ST-Line Plug-In Hybrid, contact your native Ford supplier.
