Why the 2021 Ford Escape is the MOST UNEXPECTED Hot Hatch!

The 2021 Ford Escape (also known as the Kuga) is here, and it's HILARIOUS fun. It has a hot hatch turbocharged engine, a strangely luxury interior, and has a lot more room than even the Ford Focus which the Escape is based on. In today's review, I'm going to tell you why the new Ford Escape is the world's most unexpected hot hatch!
Timeline:
00:00​ - Introduction
00:54 - Price, Engine and Specs
03:46 - Exterior
05:35 - Interior
11:11 - How it Drives / On the Road
13:11 - Is it Worth It? / Verdict
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#Escape #FordEscape #EscapeVignale #Ford #SUV #Kuga #FordKuga #CarReview ‪@ford‬ ‪@fordofaustralia‬
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[@CarSauce]

Check out my Ford Focus ST Review if you want to see a real hot hatch! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXnHnmx5m7yZm9E

[@TheDondon91]

We have the ST line AWD version. And everyone who gets in the car can’t believe how quick it is haha!

[@davehiggins1474]

Great review thanks Matt 👍🏻

[@johnpiovesan8711]

Hi Matt. Great review. I was in the market for a new small/medium sized SUV for my wife. The Escape was not on my radar as it was not well advertised. Then i started looking at the Vingale, but finally chose the ST Line AWD with option pack in Frozen white & tint. We did not want the sunroof and the leather. I was looking for an affordable (no pun intended) SUV with some grunt. There was not much out there. The Escape managed to tick most boxes, European styling, features and power. We were very impressed with the test drives. Now need to wait for its arrival !

[@garysmeltzer1933]

Great review had everything

[@zoranm6432]

I drove the ST Line Escape as a loaner car when my 1.5 3cyl Focus ST line was being serviced. I couldn’t believe how FAST the bloody thing was. It chirps the tyres when changing from first to second. Now if only I could have the Escape motor in my Focus that would be ideal!!

[@Truthfulnerd]

Purchased the new Ford Escape FWD base model with the tech pack. Really happy with it since purchase. Wife drives it and always puts it into SPORT mode. She loves the power and being able to safely overtaking others on the road. Why this car isn’t selling more, is beyond me. We paid $37K new and I can’t complain. Beautiful car. Also, great review. And again, I’m really liking the new style.

[@CarSauce]

That's a great price! And thanks mate, really putting a lot of time in these now so glad you like it 😁

[@shaneriddington2501]

Just bought a Vignale yesterday, waiting to pick it up today. Trading in my older 2017 Escape and upgrading. Not particularly a Ford man but my older Escape has been bulletproof and looking forward to the new one being the same.

[@auPython]

I was one of the first in Australia to purchase my FWD Vignale, and I don't regret it. What I do regret is not having the opportunity to drive it more. It was delivered in November 2020 and I have only done just over 4,000kms. About that rattle, I found it. As you stated the rear seat slides forward and backward. The problem is, there is a position on that rack, where the outside rear seat belt tongues rattle against against the hard plastic trim. Easy fix, move the seat forward until they stop. I have the 19" rims on my Vignale and am very happy with the ride around town. What I do hate about reviewers are they don't seem to know how to drive powerful front wheel drive vehicles. They all want to just go full throttle, you feed the throttle in you don't just floor it. Anyway, in normal driving you very rarely use full throttle.

[@MrPhilgos]

Flooring...it is a little boy thing.

[@darnoldie]

The Escape is a ride I buy because they have been reliable, economical and great around town. So in 2022 I traded in the old 2018 SEL with a 1.5 Ecoboost. It was a nice rig. Leather, nav system 28MPG consistently. Certainly has lots of good miles left on it. The new SEL has the 2.0 Ecoboost. Talk about a sleeper. It's very quick.

[@aerienix]

On the awd vignale Me: Mom, I want a focus rs!! Mom: Honey, we have a focus rs at home.

[@CarSauce]

Hahahaha

[@markdraper3469]

Your Australian version is so different from what we get in the States. A little different than the Titanium trim too. Vignale is a little too exotic sounding for a Ford trim. Starting with the 20" wheels. 19 is our top option. Next, I have the SEL AWD built in August '21 (so does that make it a 2021.75?) No leather seats, paddle shifters or sunroof but pretty much everything else. The spare tire is an option that wasn't ordered but the space for it is still under the floor. and it's like actually having a trunk. But for sure, they do share that turbo kick. I had the same 2.0L AWD set up in my '18 EcoSport and although it wasn't a hazard to navigation, it was nothing compared to the Escape.

[@Mikey-wj4ms]

Awesome review, the Australian Clarkson.

[@johngenc3782]

Ive driven base and ST models both fwd. Surprisingly felt more comfortable in the base model which has better supported seats and a steering feel thats not as jerky as the ST line. I want AWD given the 180 kw of power but concerned the super jerky steering of the ST will a deal breaker for me. Great engine though. Loved it.

[@semyon74]

Great review as always. I cancelled my order for a AWD Vignale once I found out the features it was missing. Was a great car on the test drive. Now proud owner of a new Sonata N Line. Worked out for the best.the escape was my favourite of all the medium SUV’s I drove.

[@CarSauce]

Thank you! And I understand, would have been disappointing!

[@paragoncafe]

Which features was it missing that turned you away? Thanks

[@robmclachlan4562]

Hey Matt, thanks for giving the review these Escapes deserve. I’ve had my STline AWD for 2.5 years now and am thrilled with it every time I get in it let alone drive it. The rattle you mentioned would be the rear seat belt not being in its proper place which enables the buckle to rattle against the side trim. I’ve owned a Volkswagen VR6 Passat prior to this, which was superb but the Escape has a charm and character which to me is unbeatable, I think the sleeper aspect explains this. JUST BUY IT is my recommendation 😊

[@porus41]

Whats the mileage you get from the car?? How is the reliability?? I am thinking of buying this car.

[@WillyCerdaJr]

One of the most: entertaining, informative and I think you have just made up my mind, videos I have every seen?!?! I want one!!!

[@_nezmo_]

what are your thoughts on the Bang and Olufsen stereo?

[@jeremy5399]

Will you be reviewing the ford puma by any chance too?

[@garysmeltzer1933]

Looks good mate was looking at Honda RV but the engine in the Ford looks much better what is your opinion

[@CARacterReviews]

Great power. Good looking interior. It looks a tad bland to me though. Great review! Thank you!

[@CarSauce]

As I said, the ultimate sleeper 🤣

[@Renvilo]

I'm stuck between the Escape ST line AWD and the Vingale FWD. I like the ST line but i prefer the better looking seats and sunroof of the vingale.

[@RD-ni7qe]

Others have mentioned the drivers seat doesn't offer much lateral upper-body support, so you end up sliding left and right when you're driving windy roads?

[@X9Z17]

IF you want to drive something really different, find the first year of Ford Kuga sold in Australia, specifically the first gen1 2012 model. 5 cylinder, AWD, and auto! They're rare but, I had a Titanium model, had a pano sunroof, leather seats, heated, and wasn't a bad drive. Sadly from stock... 147kW 😅😅 way down from just an XR5 Turbo! A tune could rectify that easy enough no doubt, but I upgraded to a Turbo Territory instead. They also have a 5 speed auto that's single clutch.. feels weird, it isn't snappy like a dual clutch, you can't brake boost to launch it, but with how slow it changes gears it almost sounds like a manual! If you can find one, give that a review mate!

[@derekgore1268]

Great that you enjoyed it sooooo much, but what was the fuel economy like?

[@TrainDriverYoda]

On the Highway I get 6.7 to 6.9 l/100km in the ST Line AWD at the limit. Average 8.5-8.9 just city driving. Idles at 1.5l/Hour once warmed up.

[@mondeowawa2494]

Just bought my new ford escape cars look like trees when you past them just standing there in this turbo powerhouse entry level 21 model

[@tuscan54321]

Sold!!

[@nine8three310]

The numbers on these things are crazy for a mid-SUV!

[@CarSauce]

Exactly!

[@Callisto1969]

I ordered a Vignale AWD in Nov 2020 but, due to Covid and the fire at the chip factory, it lands next month. I was quite happy to be getting a 2021.5 instead of the 2020.75 I originally ordered - until I heard you tell me about the de-optioned manual gear mode and heated rear seats. Thanks for the heads up, as I will be asking Ford about this. Question: Without the manual gearshift - how do you get the car to hold a low gear (or the ‘right gear’) while going down hill? That will take some of the fun out of driving twisty roads.

[@Callisto1969]

Just watched your review again - really enjoyed it. great job Matt. Counting down to my AWD in a few weeks.

[@BomberFletch31]

I went to look at one when they were new. They look absolutely stunning, but I'm still somewhat disappointed with what I saw. I found the seats to be a bit flat. I own a Mondeo Titanium - the latest generation before it was discontinued, and I love the seats on those, because they were comfortable, deeply bolstered and supportive. Also, the front passenger seat in my Mondeo Titanium is power adjustable, whereas it was manual in the Escape Vignale. The steering wheel is also electrically adjustable in my Mondeo, but again, it's manual in the Escape. I think rather than removing content from the Escape Vignale, Ford should have gone the other way and added more features. Barring the heated steering wheel, virtual cockpit and wireless phone charging, my Mondeo Titanium has everything this Escape has, and more. That being said, if I was in the market for a medium SUV, I'd get the Escape without a second thought, unless I can afford a Mercedes-Benz GLC.

[@kelluhhh6]

This car low-key reminds me of a Porsche Macan, when you see it in real life, I always take a second look. I think it looks quite nice. And yes thank god there's no black plastic cladding. I cannot stand that.

[@christopherrobert92]

Yeah great car if you can find one for sale

[@mutopz]

Even the AWD Vignale with full options at around $56k is still a bargain compared to the BMWs and Audi's, with no performance bonus and massive depreciation.

[@robertceroli3512]

You can get the entry grade 37k driveway got me stumped why they don't sell a lot more of these probably would have to be the best bang for buck SUV the Mazda you need to spend 50+ to get there 2.5t 170kw

[@CarSauce]

I'm very confused too, this thing is awesome at that price 😁

[@happybuddha13]

Now, the entry model is at 40k - so a bump of 3k!

[@lazyzim4480]

I have the 2022 AWD Vignale with 20 inch wheels. It is a fun car to drive. Living out in the country I do drive on dirt roads and snapping a mag is always on my mind. Things I think Ford did to screw the owners. They stopped putting the plastic cover over the engine so opening the bonnet looks like a plumbers nightmare. Ok they took away the paddle shifters and manual mode but Ford when I switch to any mode I get the tacho but in Sports mode it has a BIG D for Drive in the middle of the tacho. I assume that used to be where you saw your gear changes. How hard would it have been to still let you know what gear you are in when in Sport Mode? This is the first time I have driven an automatic and have no way of manually changing gears or knowing what the gearbox is doing. Wake Up Ford.

[@howardwall8743]

Hardly too expensive when you look at what else is out there for the same price...

[@user-rx8qq8sk9ydv1ce5ib]

Is Ford Escape German made or Spanish ?

[@youssefkhaled9666]

designed in Germany, made in Spain

[@timmarks8941]

I can’t deal with the googly eyed headlights. Otherwise would buy one in base trim for the wife.

[@CarSauce]

Yeah took a while for the looks to grow on me, but certainly not my favourite looking SUV

[@teddym2808]

I can live without heated rear seats. I can sort of live without heated wheel. But removing the manual mode and paddles "just because" it's a luxury model was the ultimate BS. It has a fun engine and when I'm on my own there would be times I want to do spirited driving. So then I looked at GT line, but that has crappy fake suede and no leather seats. So by removing that, as I want a luxury car for touring as WELL as a fun car, Ford lost me. One feature. Fools. I ended up with a Cupra Ateca instead, since the Vignale's price has risen dramatically AGAIN since this video.. for 7 grand more I got a car that is super fun and then some.

[@SACarContent]

I am so over these stupid ‘performance’ SUV’s. They’re killing off awesome wagons and sedans and personally I feel ‘performance’ and ‘SUV’ are oxymorons. You’d be mad to buy an SUV, particularly a ‘performance’ variant without first looking at the shrinking yet exciting performance sedans and wagons available

[@CarSauce]

While I mostly agree, this thing isn't trying to be a hot hatch - it just is 🤣

[@BomberFletch31]

I don't think it's trying to be a performance SUV. It's just an SUV that has more than enough power on tap when you need it. It's not what you drive, but how you drive it.

[@sjb2471]

@@BomberFletch31 and one of the best chassis of any medium SUV, being Ford’s excellent C2 architecture