About the Ford Escape
Ross Joseph purchased this Ford Escape new with additional options for $37,000 (including all on-road costs). Ross Joseph would buy this car again because: “It was a great price with cheap servicing over the next four years. It has a spacious interior and good looks to boot. The vehicle comes loaded with plenty of safety features too.”
How reliable has your car been? Tell us about any issues.
Since purchasing seven months ago, the only issue I have noticed is the spotty automatic tail gate which often doesn’t open when I sweep my foot under the rear section. This is especially concerning considering the automatic tailgate was a feature my wife really wanted for loading shopping in and out of the car. Even though the sweeping motion doesn’t work (or we don’t know how to work it), the one press open and close does, and that is used 99% of the time.
What do you think of the ownership experience with your car?
After 7 months of ownership, the car has been wonderful. Apart from the tailgate issue, I haven’t had any negatives with the car. People have looked and commented on the appearance saying how expensive it looks in comparison to the price paid.
How has the purchase and aftercare experience been with your car?
Purchasing the car was a very easy going experience. It was ready within a week with all features detailed and demonstrated before leaving the showroom floor.
Are you happy with the price and features of your car?
For the price paid, this has been one of the best cars I have ever owned. Only $37,000 on road, with the Heads Up Display (HUD) and automatic tailgate as extras added.
The standard features of the car put others in the same price range to shame, with LEDs all over, thank God. Comes with a wireless phone charger and plenty of USB ports to keep passengers plugged in. Safety features of the vehicle are spectacular, almost to the point of being a little too easy to lose focus on long drives.
What do you think of the performance and economy of your car?
While I enjoy cruising along with the car in Eco mode, my wife really enjoys switching into Sport mode and pulling away at the lights. She has become a bit of a rev head thanks to the power of the Escape.
Unfortunately the fuel economy suffers because of this. Usually we average of about 9.2 – 10.1 litres of fuel per 100km, and while this would bother me in any other car, I’m not so upset considering my wife uses it for mostly stop/start traffic, while I use it mainly on freeways.
Still, the car handles well, drives even better, and it never struggles when needing to overtake at speed.
What do you think of the technology in your car?
There are no complaints when it comes to the packed in technology of the car. It has all the safety features $10,000 cheaper than other cars in the same SUV market.
The quality of the reversing camera is top notch, and front and reversing sensors are spot on. But it does sometimes get a little beep happy when pulling into the driveway at home.
Inside the car, the features are even better. Wireless phone charging up front with two USB ports, and a single USB in the rear. Stop/Start engine can be turned off, which is good because my wife isn’t a fan.
Push button start and universal open and close windows for the warmer weather. Plus the touch screen is a very clear display with easy navigation controls.
What do you think of the ride comfort and handling of your car?
Both front seats are manually adjusted (electric was available on the more expensive models) with the rear able to slide back and forth to have a little extra space.
Seating all round is very comfortable with plenty of leg room in the front and rear. The centre arm rest is perfect when you slide it forward and makes it perfect on long drives.
The car handles really well in all conditions so far encountered, even while driving during heavy rain fall. The steering feels really good and direct too with height and telescopic adjustments.
Do you have any additional comments about your car?
Using the FordPass Connect to open and start the car is a wonderful feature, but very gimmicky and not the Tesla application the dealerships would have you believe. The Escape is affordable, spacious and feels very rare out on the road with plenty of people passing it up for more expensive rivals.