The New 2020 Ford Escape SUV

The all-new Ford Escape SUV will bring a fresh offering to Australian SUV buyers, with advanced technology, an all-new platform and standard FordPass Connect embedded modem across a premium focussed line-up. Joining the highly-contented Ford Puma in showrooms this year, the sleek and spacious Escape will include the premium ‘Escape Vignale’ variant, reflecting its high level of standard equipment and advanced features.

Arriving in showrooms from Q3 2020, the all-new Ford Escape takes the customer benefits that Escape is known for to a new level, thanks to enhanced driving dynamics, user-friendliness and advanced technology, to slip simply and seamlessly into everyday life.

“The Escape and Puma will offer Australian customers models with unique identities that stand apart from the crowd,” said Kay Hart, President and CEO, Ford Australia and New Zealand. “Escape and Puma are also distinguished by advanced safety and Driver Assistance Technology, including FordPass Connect, paired with effortless style, simplicity and practicality.”

In addition to a five-year, unlimited kilometre full factory warranty, the all-new Escape is eligible for the Ford Service Benefits program, which brings owners a Service Loan Car, Auto Club Membership including Roadside Assistance as well as sat-nav map updates. With long 15,000km/12-month service intervals, A and B logbook services for the first four years/60,000km are set at a maximum of $299 per service.

Your very own ‘escape’

Efficiency is key to Australian SUV buyers and was a core element in every process of development for the all-new Ford Escape. The Escape’s C2 platform uses advanced materials to be significantly stronger, more rigid and electrification-ready, delivering real-world improvements to safety and fuel efficiency.

Demonstrating this advantage is the increase in wheelbase, enabling a roomier, more comfortable interior – with additional cargo and occupant space – in comparison to the previous Escape. Despite this, the new Escape also posts a significant weight reduction of up to 90kg against the equivalent of the existing model. Such a significant weight reduction further reduces running costs for customers, while also bringing improved driving dynamics though handling and responsiveness thanks to a 10 per cent increase in torsional rigidity.

Space efficiency comes courtesy of greater dimensions: the all-new Escape is 44mm wider and 89mm longer than the outgoing model, while the wheelbase has increased by 20mm. Inside, that translates to 43mm additional shoulder room and 57mm more hip room in the front seats, while rear passengers benefit from 20mm more shoulder room and 36mm more hip room. Despite a 20mm lower overall height, the all-new Escape also brings 13mm more headroom for front seat occupants and 35mm additional space in the rear.

For rear seat passengers, the entire second row of seats can be moved forwards or backwards to increase legroom or boot space. A remote release function enables the second row to be folded flat with ease.

Smart Powertrains

The 2020 Ford Escape line-up brings a choice of two powertrains, with a mix of front-wheel and all-wheel drive models. All Escapes feature a 2.0L EcoBoost powertrain with an 8-speed automatic, apart from the Escape PHEV, which has its own 2.5L Atkinson cycle/electric powertrain.

The 2.0-litre EcoBoost develops 183kW/387Nm and, teamed with the advanced 8-speed paddleshift automatic, is designed to deliver greater drivability and increased performance. Combined fuel economy is 8.6L/100km for both FWD and AWD Escape variants powered by the EcoBoost powertrain.

An integrated intake system, combined with a high-pressure fuel injection, enhances refinement and enables effortless driving, whether passenger- and cargo-laden or on a spirited solo sojourn.

Greater choice to suit Australians’ lifestyles

Reflecting the new-generation’s significant advancements in technology and capability, a revised naming structure has been introduced with Escape in order to allow customers to strongly distinguish the attributes and equipment levels of each variant.

The 2020 Ford Escape line-up will comprise of three variants plus several powertrain options – the first variant, badged as ‘Escape’, with accessible style and technology; the second, the sports-focussed ‘Escape ST-Line’ and ‘Escape ST-Line PHEV’; and the third, the ‘Escape Vignale’, which crowns the line-up with high equipment levels and unique style.

The 2020 Ford Escape line-up brings greater levels of standard equipment and is made up of:

• ‘Escape’: FWD
• ‘Escape ST-Line’: FWD
• ‘Escape ST-Line’: AWD
• ‘Escape ST-Line’: PHEV
• ‘Escape Vignale’: FWD
• ‘Escape Vignale’: AWD

‘Escape’ (FWD): A stylish model like no other

The ‘Escape’ follows an elegant and simplistic theme throughout its stylish exterior and cabin. Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, a five-bar chrome-finish front grille, with stylish LED headlights and taillights for greater vision for the driver and enhanced on-road visibility to other road users. The exterior sees the tailgate fitted with an integrated rear spoiler and sporty twin exhaust tips to build on the active, athletic poise, with a palette of 11 exterior colours for discerning customers to select from.

The ‘Escape’ offers a comprehensive standard Driver Assist Technology suite that includes:

• Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection
• Evasive Steering Assist
• Forward Collision Warning
• Dynamic Brake Support
• Traffic Sign Recognition
• Blind Spot Detection (BLIS)
• Lane Departure Warning
• Lane Keep Assist
• Driver Impairment Monitor
• Tyre Pressure Monitor
• Emergency Assistance
• Cruise Control with adjustable speed limiter

Additional standard technology across the 2020 Ford Escape line-up includes:

• FordPass Connect embedded modem with FordPass App compatibility
• Push-button start
• Wireless smartphone charging
• DAB+ radio
• SYNC 3 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility
• Voice-command in-built sat-nav with Australian accent recognition and Traffic Management System
• 8.0-inch full-colour touchscreen
• Reversing camera
• Front and rear-parking sensors
• Power windows with global opening and closing via key fob

In addition, six airbags including driver, front-passenger, front seat-mounted side airbags and side curtains are standard, with front and second-row seatbelt reminders as well as ISOFIX child-seat anchorage points.

An optional Technology Pack for the ‘Escape’ (FWD) includes:

• Matrix glare-free headlights with Adaptive Lighting
• Configurable head-up display, which projects critical information including speed, traffic sign information, navigation and emergency notifications

FordPass and FordPass Connect: A window into the future, today

Every new 2020 Ford Escape will offer the FordPass Connect embedded modem as standard. FordPass brings an array of convenient remote vehicle functionality and connected services to make life simpler for Ford Escape owners, such as remote vehicle lock and unlock.

FordPass also features several services that are designed to simplify customers’ ownership experience, placing key vehicle information in the palm of their hand. These include access to roadside assistance, the ability to schedule a service online and check their recent service history, their owners’ manual, and even a convenient way to get in touch with a ‘Ford Guide’, who can assist – by phone or email – with any queries about connected services.

FordPass will offer a range of additional features that are designed to make owning an ’Escape ST-Line PHEV’ seamless and convenient, such as easy access to charging information including charge level and status, information about charge locations and preferred times, and the ability to activate charging remotely.

The Escape also continues with Ford’s Emergency Assist as standard, which is designed to call ‘000’ in an emergency when a smartphone is connected. This can help reduce the response time of emergency services in the event of an incident.

Standard in every Escape is Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility ^vi, built-in voice activated sat-nav and compatibility with apps including Waze and Spotify. The large display screen also doubles as a full-colour reversing camera, with both front and rear parking sensors standardised across the 2020 Escape range.

‘Escape ST-Line’: sports focussed, style oriented

The ‘Escape ST-Line’ builds on the highly-equipped ‘Escape’ model in a sport-focussed package. Distinguished by ST-Line specific 18-inch alloys, its own upper grille design in the sports front and rear bumpers, sports side skirts and lowered sports suspension, the ST-Line also expresses its sports focus with a larger unique rear spoiler.

‘Escape ST-Line’ brings black detailing inside and out, with black roof rails outside complementing the cabin’s black belt mouldings and dark sports headlining. In the driver’s seat, there’s a 12.3-inch instrument cluster behind an ST-Line flat-bottom steering wheel with red stitching, and metallic foot pedals to complete the theme.

An optional ST-Line Pack combines the hands-free power tailgate, front heated seats and technology pack into a single convenient option.

‘Escape ST-Line PHEV’: Plug-in smarts and athleticism
The all-new ‘Escape ST-Line PHEV’ delivers the driving range and freedom offered by a traditional combustion engine alongside the efficiency and refinement of an electric powertrain.

The ‘Escape ST-Line PHEV’ brings additional equipment above the non-hybrid ST-Line:

• Partial leather interior trim
• 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat
• 10-speaker premium audio.

The ST-Line pack is also available as an option on the ‘Escape ST-Line PHEV’, comprising the hands-free power tailgate, front heated seats and technology pack.

The Escape ST-Line PHEV’s advanced powertrain sees power-split architecture combining a 2.5-litre, four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle petrol engine, electric motor and generator, and 14.4kWh lithium-ion battery to produce 167kW. With a combined fuel economy figure of 1.5L/100km^iv, Ford’s first PHEV in Australia will deliver a fully-electric driving range in excess of 50 kilometres.

The Ford Escape PHEV’s battery can be recharged using an integrated charging port and is automatically replenished on the move using regenerative charging technology that captures kinetic energy normally lost during braking.

Drivers can choose when and how to deploy battery power using EV Auto, EV Now, EV Later and EV Charge modes. When the battery reaches its lowest state-of-charge, the system automatically reverts to EV Auto mode – supplementing petrol engine power with electric motor assistance using recaptured energy to optimise fuel-efficiency for the Escape PHEV.

‘Escape Vignale’: A new sense of style
For the first time in Australia, the Escape is offered in the lavishly equipped Vignale specification level. Vignale brings more tailored, distinguished elegance for an Escape that focusses on premium elements. It complements the athleticism of the ‘Escape ST-Line’, and the stylish ‘Escape’.

Visually, the ‘Escape Vignale’ features unique Vignale body styling, including chrome front fascia, a unique rear diffuser and 19-inch alloy wheels. Optional 20-inch alloys are available only on Vignale, while also exclusive are the standard glare-free, self-levelling LED quad-projector headlights featuring dynamic bending to ‘see around corners’.

A refined colour palette for ‘Escape Vignale’ consists of six colours, including the exclusive-to-Vignale Blue Panther paintwork.

In addition, and above the ‘Escape’ and ‘Escape ST-Line’, the ‘Escape Vignale’ adds:

• Advanced keyless entry
• Heated leather-wrap steering wheel
• Leather accented seating
• 10-way power-adjustable driver’s chair
• 10-way power-adjustable front passenger’s chair
• Heated front seating
• Heated rear seating (left and right passenger seats)
• Panoramic sunroof
• Head-up display
• Hands-free power tailgate
• 180-degree rear-view camera
• Advanced Automated Park Assist ^v

The 2020 Ford Escape range will arrive in Australian showrooms from Q3, 2020.

2020 Ford Escape MLP

2020 Ford Escape Options MLP