The Escape is actually a comfortable small to mid-sized SUV that looks quite stylish and is quite pleasant inside.

The front leather seats have electric adjustment and lumbar support for the driver, smart phone connectivity and wireless charging, Head up display and a host of other little luxuries that make daily driving better.

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The engine is a 2.5L hybrid petrol engine with a 14.4KWH (kilo watt hour) battery. It produces a combined output of 167kW and drives the front wheels through a CVT.

Overall the real world distance of the EV mode is about 45-50km, this is enough for my daily drive, but the hybrid petrol engine allows excellent economy without any range anxiety.

Driving the Escape is easy. You can select from four different modes to select when and how to use the EV only power.

The surprise is the price. It’s actually well priced from $54,440 plus the usual costs and is a good entry point into the world or electric driving. It is however substantially more expensive than the normal petrol Escape.

This is a Motoring Minute

I’m Brianna Fraser.

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The small to medium PHEV SUV segment is growing. You could look to the Peugeot 3008 GT PHEV, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV, Kia Niro PHEV,  A  little bit up the price scale is the Volvo XC40 PHEV and the Lexus UX 250h,

You could also look at economical diesel or petrol SUVs such as the SsangYong Korando, Haval Jolion HEV, Mazda CX-60, Toyota RAV 4 Hybrid,

*MLP Includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of options. Some features mentioned in the article are options. RDAP means Recommended Drive Away Price (without options but including all other charges).

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More Ford Escape ST-Line PHEV details

The Escape PHEV is Ford Australia’s first EV offering. Following the launch of Escape in late 2020, the 2022 PHEV completes the Escape line-up, giving customers more options in the mid-size SUV segment.

This is the first step for Ford Australia in introducing at least five electrified vehicles by the end of 2024.

The Escape PHEV delivers the driving range and freedom offered by a traditional internal combustion engine alongside the efficiency and refinement of an electric powertrain.

The power-split architecture combines a 2.5L four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle petrol engine, electric motor, and generator with a 14.4kWh lithium-ion battery, for a combined 167kW of power. With a combined fuel economy figure of 1.5L/100km and 33g/km of CO2 ¹ Ford’s first PHEV in Australia will deliver electric driving range in excess of 50 kilometres.

The battery can be charged using a passenger-side front guard mounted charging port and is automatically replenished on the move using regenerative charging technology that captures the kinetic energy normally lost during braking.

Drivers can choose when and how to deploy battery power using four different modes: EV Auto, EV Now, EV Later and EV Charge.

When the vehicle is in EV Now mode, and the battery reaches its lowest state-of-charge, Escape PHEV will automatically revert to EV Auto mode, supplementing the petrol engine power with electric motor assistance.

Ford owner benefits

Escape PHEV will be backed by Ford’s five-year, unlimited kilometre factory warranty, with the electric motor and high-voltage system parts, including the battery, covered by an eight-year/160,000km (whichever comes first) warranty.

Escape PHEV eligible owners can take advantage of all the Ford service benefits on offer, such as a Service Loan Car, Auto Club Membership including National Roadside Assistance as well as Sat Nav Map Updates. With service intervals every 15,000 km/12 months, eligible Escape PHEV owners will pay a maximum of $299³ per A & B scheduled services for the first four services up to 4 years/60,000km (whichever comes first).

The Escape PHEV is available in eight distinctive colours:

• Frozen White
• Blazer Blue
• Agate Black
• Blue Metallic*
• Magnetic*
• Solar Silver*
• White Platinum*
• Rapid Red*

* Prestige paint colour option incurs an additional charge.

Escape PHEV Recommended MLP*: $54,440 MLP*

Options MLP*:

Options	MLP*	ST-Line PHEV
ST-Line Pack	$1,950
Park Pack	$1,500
Prestige Paint	$675

* Recommended MLP only. The offer price of any vehicle or option is entirely at the discretion of the Dealer. Prices shown exclude Dealer delivery and statutory charges.

ST-Line Pack: Hands-Free Power Tailgate, Front Heated Seats, LED Glare Free Headlamps and Heads Up Display

Park Pack: Enhanced Active Park Assist, Front Camera, Door Edge Guards

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