2021 Ford Escape ST-Line review: Cheap grunt hits the spot

Buyers looking for a bit of fun and flair in their family SUV no longer have to spend big dollars thanks to this spicy new car.

Just when you thought every possible niche in the new car market had become crowded with contenders, here’s one that isn’t: the affordable, mid-size performance SUV.

If you’ve got $75,000 or more to spend and want something that adds enthusiastic go forward to the usual list of more prosaic SUV attributes, Alfa Romeo’s Stelvio, Audi’s Q5, BMW’s X3, Mercedes’ GLC and the Range Rover Velar range each has a pretty handy 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol variant, with 180-200kW of power.

However below $50,000, pickings are slim, which is strange considering that all the heavy hitter Japanese and South Korean brands are fighting for a share of the action. Their approach, though, is universally conservative, almost to the extent that power is a dirty word.

Thankfully, Ford doesn’t see it that way.

All Escapes use a potent 183kW/387Nm turbo petrol engine.

VALUE

The 2021 Ford Escape runs a 183kW/387Nm 2.0-litre turbopetrol as standard across the range, and it reportedly clips the 0-100km/h ticket in a nick over six seconds.

That’s roughly half a second faster than a Porsche Macan, which will set you back $84,300.

Escape, then, must be the performance SUV bargain of the century, kicking off at just $35,990 plus on roads for the front-wheel drive model, with an eight-speed auto (and paddle shifters) as standard. ST-Line is $37,990 and Vignale is $46,590.

ST-Line and Vignale are also available with all-wheel drive, priced at $40,990 and $49,590 respectively. A plug-in hybrid is due by the end of the year.

Prices start at a $35,990 plus on-roads.

Infotainment includes navigation, responsive voice control, wireless phone charging and digital radio. Side windows can be opened or closed using the key fob.

It also has Ford Pass, an embedded modem that allows you to remotely connect with the car and access locking, service data and roadside assistance.

We tested the front-wheel drive, mid-spec ST-Line, which adds a body kit, bespoke 18-inch alloys, lowered suspension, digital instruments, a sports steering wheel and dark cabin trim.

Vignale goes luxe with heated, power adjustable front seats, leather, a sunroof, hands-free power tailgate, automatic parking and 19-inch alloys. This size/performance/equipment package in one of the premium Euro SUVs listed above would go close to $100,000, so at both ends of the range Escape offers great value.

This extends to servicing as well, where Ford offers a free loan car when you book a scheduled service at a dealer.

The cabin is well appointed and stylish.

COMFORT

The ST-Line driver’s seat lacks lateral support for the upper body due to insufficient backrest bolstering. The high, upright seating position doesn’t feel right either, given Escape’s performance pretensions. It feels as though you’re driving a bus. Stylish, compact and efficient, the dash has an unusual rotary gear selector, type A and C USBs, two 12-volt sockets and reasonable oddment storage.

A firm, elevated back seat has plenty of (adjustable) legroom, an adjustable backrest, vents and USBs, so it’s well set up for kids. With the seat pushed back, the boot is small.

Ride comfort is fine, even on the stiffer springs of the ST-Line, with suspension that’s better controlled than some rivals and consistent on all surfaces.

Developed by Ford Europe, the Escape is a tight and tidy drive.

SAFETY

You get the driver assist safety tech worksburger here, even at base model level, plus a five-star ANCAP crash rating, where Escape scored close to maximum points for its autonomous emergency braking system’s ability to avoid or mitigate collisions with pedestrians and cyclists, day or night.

ON THE ROAD

Ford of Europe delivers its usual tight, tidy drive here, but we’d suggest that if you’re attracted to Escape’s performance proposition then the extra $3000 for all-wheel drive will be money well spent.

Flaccid at low revs, once into stride the 2.0-litre is muscular, refined and responsive. Its 183kW and 387Nm, though, is a lot of grunt to put through the front end, which gives up early and seeks relief with traction control if you get moderately vigorous on the throttle.

Steering feel and precision are also strangled under power, there’s constant tugging at the wheel and in tighter corners it wants to run wide, albeit with relatively little body roll compared with most rivals.

Buyers should tick the all-wheel drive box if possible.

It’s for these reasons that every one of the $75,000-plus Euro SUVs listed above runs all-wheel drive.

The engine is thirsty, obviously because fuel economy isn’t a priority. The eight-speed auto can be abrupt, occasionally erratic at low speeds and slow to read your right foot in Sport mode, while Escape’s brakes aren’t quite up to its performance potential, either.

HEART SAYS

Please, can I have an affordable, safe family SUV that isn’t so monumentally dull and boring to drive? Thank you, Henry.

HEAD SAYS

I’ll tick the all-wheel drive box and smile quietly to myself whenever an Audi, BMW or Porsche driver looks at me with their usual disdain.

VERDICT 3.5/5

If you find the mid-size SUV class a wasteland of beige, you’ll find driving happiness here. Pick the all-wheel drive version, though.

ALTERNATIVES

Mazda CX-5 GT Turbo, from $49,490

Mazda’s 2.5-litre turbo produces 170kW/420Nm, but it doesn’t feel that powerful as a 7.7 second 0-100km/h time attests. Six-speed auto and all-wheel drive.

Volkswagen Tiguan 162TSI, from $50,790

Runs a 162kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo, seven-speed twin-clutch auto and all-wheel drive. Will reach 100km/h in 6.8 seconds. Adaptive suspension, leather, matrix LED headlights.

FORD ESCAPE ST-LINE VITALS

Price: $37,990 (good value)

Warranty/servicing: 5yr warranty (average); $1196 for 4 yrs/60,000km (reasonable)

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo, 183kW/387Nm (best in class)

Safety: 5 stars, 6 airbags, auto emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert (above average)

Thirst: 8.6L/100km (thirsty)

Spare: Space saver (Not good)

Boot: 412L (tight)