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This is where monocoque construction is better. In the body-on-chassis construction, the bodyshell sways during cornering as it is bolted to the chassis frame and the handling is usually mushy. But with monocoque construction, sway is reduced although given the higher ride height of an SUV to get more ground clearance, the higher centre of gravity still means that there will be some body roll.

Ford engineers also spent a lot of time giving the Escape a strong body which would protect its occupants in accidents. focussing on ‘energy management’ for better occupant protection. Typically, energy generated in a frontal crash is absorbed by a vehicle’s rail frame but in the Escape, a fender reinforcement has been added, allowing the energy load of a crash to be spread between the lower rail frame and an upper path that goes through the roof. In addition, high-tensile steel beams inside the doors offer additional resistance during side impacts. The body panels are also stamped in single sections that encompass the door openings, a practice which minimizes build variations, ensures more accurate door openings and facilitates consistent quality.

While on the subject of safety, the Escape also comes with second-generation dual front airbags as well as 4-wheel ABS with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD). With EBD, the influence of load and weight distribution is prevented since a sensor measures the slippage between the front wheels and rear wheels. The brake pressure is constantly adjusted so that optimum braking is achieved at all times. You could say EBD enhances ABS for more effective braking.

For those who have childseats to install in the back, Ford has thoughtfully provided LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) in the outer locations of the rear seats. Comprising anchor points in the seats and ceiling mounted attachment points, LATCH makes it easy to quickly and easily secure childseats inside the Escape. Hopefully, owners will make full use of LATCH.

INTERIOR
With a volume of 3.8 cubic metres, Ford claims the Escape’s cabin space is the largest in class. This is apparent the moment you get inside. The ceiling is high up (so high that the map lights don’t seem bright enough) and the seats are nice and wide. The windows are also large so the ambience is one of airiness and pleasant for any journey.

The dashboard has some design cues from the Explorer with its somewhat vertical presentation and depending on the body colour, you get either a light gray or light brown colour. The instrument panel has white-faced meters which make for better legibility and at night, the white faces turn black while the numbers and calibrations become green. As with many of the newer cars, the tripmeter and odometer are now displayed on a small LCD panel and an be alternately displayed by pressing a short stalk sticking out from the panel. The audio system is situated in the upper middle section of the dashboard and the standard unit comes with a built-in CD player. Below it are the ventilation controls which are within easy reach.

As with all its North American SUVs, Ford has also located the Escape’s shift lever at the steering column instead of the usual position between the front seats. This is supposed to liberate space between the seats although the designers chose not to create a walk-through concept like that in the CR-V.

Storage space is one of the Escape’s stronger points and it’s not surprising because input from women was given a lot of attention. There’s a small slot below the audio unit which is good for toll cards and down near the floor, a deep compartment which is good for a tissue box. Between the seats are two cupholders and a removable circular ashtray can be slotted into one of them. The console box that doubles as an armrest is incredibly huge and deep, able to swallow more things than the glovebox.

Rear accommodation is as spacious as the front and three adults are unlikely to feel discomfort. Additionally, the backrests can be angled a bit for a bit more comfort. Ford is one of the few companies to provide air ducts under the front seats to deliver more air to the rear area. There are also cupholders provided but these are right down at floor level, swinging down from the back of the console box.

Generally, the Escape is a well equipped SUV and comes with just about every convenience feature an owner would need. It doesn’t have a clock, though, which is surprising although there is a clock in the audio unit’s display. Presumably Ford feels that since most people will take an audio unit and it has its own clock, there is no point in duplication.

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