Alright, so I can hear the sighs and imagine the rolling of eyes at the headline, and can only assume that it’s been used a couple of times before, however, in my defence, the new Ford Escape PHEV IS really great – so shut up!
Anywho, the new Ford Escape has arrived in New Zealand, and it promises a dynamic shift toward sustainable driving without compromising style, performance, or versatility (well that’s what they say), but we thought we’d test it out just to be sure.
Firstly, its looks. Ford has crafted the new Escape with a robust and assertive design, out to captivate onlookers and be a standout on the road. And in fairness, it amalgamates aesthetics with functionality through its aerodynamic lines and a very confident posture.
Of particular note, it comes with Matrix LED Headlamps with a very illuminating coast-to-coast lightbar across the nose, LED Tail-lamps, 20-inch ST-Line Rock Metallic Alloy wheels, and a hands-free power tailgate that opens to 536L of boot space. Beyond aesthetics, it boasts an impressive towing capacity of up to 2,100 kg, making towing family caravans or boats (if you can afford them) effortless.
Right now, NZ is getting three variants, the Titanium Hybrid FWD, the ST-Line X Hybrid FWD, and the model we had to play with, the ST-Line X Plug-in Hybrid AWD, which since it’s the top of the line, let’s stick with those specs for this editorial.
Inside, practicality meets premium comfort in the new Escape. Whether you’re in the city or out on a rugged trail (as if), the vehicle adapts with ease. The flexible cabin configuration allows for over 1m of legroom or expands the cargo space by 150 litres when needed, a nod to its thoughtful design for growing families or individuals with active lifestyles.
The fit and finish is Ford fab, with durable materials merging well with ST-Line sportiness – so essentially family proof. The infotainment screen is 13-inches (with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto), the instrument cluster is 12-inches and full LCD and there’s even a head up display should you not have enough information to view. Being a PHEV, one of the screen menu’s shows energy flow, so you can geek out in full colour on where and how the power is getting shared.
On the matter of energy, beneath its sleek exterior, the Escape delivers compelling performance through its hybrid (2.5L iVCT Atkinson Cycle I-4) powertrains, setting a high standard for what plug-in hybrids can achieve. With up to 69 km of pure electric range, it caters to those looking for everyday commutes without fossil fuel dependence. For longer journeys, it delivers up to 900 km of range on a single tank, ensuring fewer stops and worry-free road trips.
The Escape is ingeniously equipped with advanced connectivity and driving assistance features, making it ideal for both work and play. At its heart is Ford’s latest SYNC 4 infotainment system. This next-gen system offers lightning-fast processing power and seamless smartphone integration, thanks to 5G connectivity.
Family safety is also a big thing for Ford and as such the new Escape comes loaded with a raft of acronyms, from AEB, BSA, ISA, TSR, LKA to 360-degree camera views, I think you get what I mean.
Then there’s the drive. During my time with the Escape PHEV I did a mixture of urban and outer-urban driving, both with and without the family, and it handled it all with ease. The seats and seating position are comfortable and supportive (even when cornering with glee) and when combined with its reasonably weighted steering, really make you feel that you are driving this SUV.
On the highway, the Adaptive Cruise Control system is particularly noteworthy, intuitively adjusting speeds for curves and junctions, but when you take control of the vehicle, the firm suspension offers more than ample confidence. The cabin is quiet with minimal exterior wind or road noise and although the Escape is loaded with ‘aids’, they don’t make themselves obvious, meaning you can drive without constantly being nagged (well by the SUV anyway).
The Escape is a really good all-rounder, with plenty of space for a small family, (and ample fun when they’re not around), plus soo much range on one tank. Oh and reflecting Ford’s commitment to sustainability, the new Escape is manufactured at an advanced facility in Valencia, Spain, employing state-of-the-art 3D printing technology. This not only ensures production precision but also underscores the brand’s dedication to eco-friendly practices.
And for those that want to know about its fuel-efficiency, the advertised number is 0.9-1.2 l/100 km. In the real world, I picked up the Escape PHEV with 776km displayed on the clock and 3,167km on the odometer. After 34km the range rose to 793km (3,201 on odometer). I returned it with 681km of range left and 3,394km. So by my calculations, all up I travelled 227km and used just 95km of range – like I said GREAT!
