2021 Ford Escape awarded five-star ANCAP safety rating

The all-new 2021 Ford Escape arrives in Australian showrooms in mid-November, complete with top marks in crash testing for safety-conscious family buyers.

Announced today, the Escape’sfive-star ANCAP safety rating comes with a 2019 datestamp and is based off tests conducted by Euro NCAP on the European-market Ford Kuga last year.

All models bar the electrified Escape ST-Line PHEV wear the five-star rating. It’s unclear whether ANCAP or Euro NCAP plan to test the plug-in variant in the future.

Category scores include 92 per cent for adult occupant protection, 89 per cent for child occupants, 82 per cent for vulnerable road users and 77 per cent for safety assist.

The Escape was praised for its strong performance in pedestrian and cyclist protection (vulnerable road users) by ANCAP communications director, Rhianne Robson.

“Close to full points were scored for its ability to detect and avoid or mitigate collisions with pedestrians and cyclists across a range of day-time and night-time scenarios through its standard-fit autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system,” Robson said.

Dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting (curtain) airbags are standard on all Escape models, as is autonomous emergency braking (City, Interurban and Vulnerable Road User), and a lane support system with lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning and emergency lane keeping.

Other standard driver assistance technologies include traffic sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, driver impairment monitor, tyre pressure monitoring, emergency assistance, and adaptive cruise control with speed limiter.

The all-new Ford Escape goes on sale next month, with three drivetrain variants and three trim levels available.

Some models will launch with national drive-away pricing:

• 2021 Ford Escape FWD: $36,490 drive-away
• 2021 Ford Escape ST-Line FWD: $38,990 drive-away
• 2021 Ford Escape ST-Line AWD: $41,990 drive-away

Prices for the remaining models are as follows (before on-road costs):

• 2020 Ford Escape Vignale FWD: $46,590
• 2020 Ford Escape Vignale AWD: $49,590
• 2020 Ford Escape ST-Line PHEV FWD: $52,490

MORE: Ford Escape pricing and specs

Petrol models are powered by a 2.0-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder turbo petrol engine developing 183kW and 387Nm, making the Escape one of the most powerful vehicles in its class.

This engine is mated exclusively to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options on offer.

Finally, the Escape ST-Line PHEV pairs a 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine running the Atkinson cycle to an electric motor and 14.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack, good for a system power output of 167kW.

The Escape plug-in is front-wheel drive only, and claims to use just 1.5L/100km on the combined cycle.

Unfortunately, eco-conscious buyers will have to wait a little longer for the Escape PHEV, as recent recalls overseas have left a cloud of uncertainty as to when we’ll see vehicles in showrooms.

Ford Australia is offering virtual Desk Drives via Facebook Live events to streamline the car buying process, and is also offering $500 cash-back to customers who test drive an Escape in person throughout November and December and go on to purchase a vehicle.

Stay tuned to CarExpert for our Australian launch drive review of the new Ford Escape in the coming weeks.

MORE: Ford Escape news and reviews