Story & photos by Ronald Rey de los Reyes
WHEN the doomed Ford factory in Santa Rosa, Laguna, bid adieu in 2012, the Escape model, which had been built there since 2001, seemed headed for the gallows, as well.
Good thing the following year the American bosses assured Filipinos that the familiar cross-over sport-utility vehicle (SUV) would still see the light of day, despite the fact that we might have to fetch the model straight from them.
Thanks to the success story of the Ford Eco-sport here. Otherwise, we might have waited in vain since the last thing Ford would ever want was the two having to vehemently share in one and the same dining plate.
Thus, lo’ and behold, 2015 came. Then-Ford Philippines Managing Director Kay Hart made sure that the Escape wouldn’t slip away from the hands of the local market anymore. In a launching ceremony held at the Green Sun Events Place along Chino Roces in Makati City, the burly headstrong lady leader said: “We are excited to launch the all-new Escape, which further expands our unmatched lineup of SUVs and gives Filipino customers even more choice. This premium SUV features an array of smart and safe technologies, style and capability, and terrific fuel efficiency.”
When Ford Philippines lent us this more abled premium stunner to be shown on wide screens, it did make us drool to have it immediately thrown on the road for a quick spin. After all, from the onset, it was eons away from the old Escape. The 1.6 SE variant is tagged at P1.490 million.
Once, I remember the previous model as stocky and more Spartan-looking. Now, its designers seem to have been more inspired by K-pop artists than doll-eyed hip-hop dancers of their own as the Escape dons that more fluidic suave with sharper pinches on its side. Yes, it’s still that Northern American brute, but miles tamer and less rugged.
Up front, it is now defined by its chinky halogen headlights complemented by its fog lamps beneath and usual signature emblem as its figurehead. Consequently, at its opposite end, it glimmers the same facial expression, while capped by 17-inch rollers at four corners.
Inside, this Oxford white-colored Escape on the outside is predominantly slathered by black trims, paired by fabric seats. While creature comforts include push engine start/stop button, infotainment with Bluetooth hands-free, steering wheel controls, and six speakers, among others.
This writer may be a fan of some of their onboard technology, as they are its clear edge against competition, it can get to a point of being fussy, though.
Performance-wise, the turbocharged Ecoboost system technology takes the helm and bestows the 1.6 Liter with 178 PS at 5,700 rpm with 249 Nm of torque at 2,500 rpm. It provides ample power, but requires the need for higher revs to keep it stable in gradual uphill. Handling, however, this scribe suggests is topnotch. The Escape is sedan-like even though it’s heftier than its closest compact brother, the Focus, it is snappy in the turns and has above-average grip and sports well-responsive brakes. Not to mention, cabin refinement is surprisingly at its best—even at high speeds, a characteristic not common for crossovers.
The Escape is prudent as it efficiently logs in 15 kilometer on the highway while it does not disappoint at 7.8 km in city driving.
All in all, the 1.6 SE variant may not be as spunky, powerful and tech-savvy as the 2.0 Titanium, but it’s definitely a crowd stealer, has remarkable handling and is strikingly quiet on the road.
The Ford Escape may have dodged our market once or twice, but it has just proven that it is here to stay.
And, in fact, if it wants to, it can go even further.