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Power windows are standard front and rear and can be operated from the driver’s door as well as individual doors. The central locking system has a nice touch in that there are unlock buttons on both the driver’s as well as the passenger’s doors. This comes in handy for the passenger who may be waiting in the car while the driver pops out to the ATM to get money. When the remote control is used, a single press unlocks on the driver’s door which is a good idea for security. Two presses will unlock all doors and the rear door. The courtesy light comes on whenever the doors are unlocked or the ignition key is pulled out. And if you are the forgetful type, the headlights will be automatically switched off 30 seconds after the ignition key is removed, preventing the battery from going flat overnight.
The boot volume (924 litres) is quite large and deep and a roll-up cover is provided to hide the cargo. There are also pockets along the sides and strung right across the opening is a cargo sack which is a sort of netting that is handy for dropping in groceries and keeping them from tumbling around. For larger items, there are folding loops on the floor which can be used to attach elastic cords or string. The spare wheel (a full-sized one) is stowed under the carpet and there’s a moulded tray to contain the few tools that are provided.
The cargo area can be accessed either by opening the whole top-hinged door or by popping open the glass alone. Personally, I prefer a side-hinged door as you can still open it a bit to put in things even when parked up against a wall. However, the pop-open window is a convenient feature and is likely to be used more.
In most cases, the cargo area should be adequate for most people but on those occasions when extra-long items need to be carried, the backrests can be folded down separately or together. The nice thing in the Escape is that the seats also fold forward to allow the backrest to lie flat. And not only that, they can be easily removed for an extra 200 mm of space, a feature which I have not come across in other SUVs (although I understand the new Renault Scenic RX4 also has it).
Ford Malaysia has also included a roof rack in the locally-assembled model (it’s an option in most other places) although it seems more to enhance the ‘adventure image’. Few people are likely to make use of it (it can take a load of 44 kgs) and given the height of the vehicle, mounting a bike rack on the roof would also be impractical.
Well aware that SUVs are prime targets for thieves, Ford Malaysia is providing a high-grade vehicle security system known as ‘PATS’. This has the immobiliser integrated in the engine management system, unlike some other systems which have the immobiliser as an independent unit that can be removed. The system is claimed to have 72 quadrillion codes (don’t know how many zeros that is!) which change each time it is activated. Like more expensive models, the key carries a tiny transponder that sends a signal to the sensor in the steering column, so care needs to be taken not to lose it.
POWERTRAIN
The Escape is powered by a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve sequential EFI engine which comes from the Zetec family. Camshaft drive is by a glass-reinforced nitrile rubber belt. The output from this long-stroke engine is 98.5 kW/134 ps at 5400 rpm which is about average for this type of engine. Torque is 185 Nm, peaking at a rather high 4500 rpm. In compliance with the latest Malaysian regulations, the engine meets the Euro-2 emission control standards which are applied to new models introduced from this year.
Power flows primarily to the front wheels via a Ford CD4E 4-speed electronic automatic transmission with adaptive capabilities, meaning the shifting characteristics adapt to the individual driving style. However, the adapting is not immediate as the transmission management system has to ‘study’ the way the driver shifts and according to Ford, the change gradually comes over a few hundred kms.
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