An award winner and yes, that is us saying so, but one drive in
Ford’s Escape PHEV will convince you that when it comes to selecting winners, we can certainly pick ‘em and Ford can certainly build ‘em.

The Ford Escape – released in 2020/2021 now offers the complete package with the PHEV (plug in electric vehicle) version being released in the closing months of 2021 and while the SUV is new, the tech behind it has been tried and proven in the Ford Transit Custom PHEV.
We liked that technology, and we like that it is futureproofed through the application of the four-mode control system.
This gives the driver complete control of how the electric motor and the petrol engine work with each other or independently as situations dictate.
While we have yet to identify electric vehicle only zones in this country, the Escape PHEV is already set up for them, and allows you to maximise charging on the move before switching over to the 59km pure electric-run range.
But what we really appreciated with the Escape PHEV was the grade of vehicle Ford opted to fit its clever ‘leccy bits in.
This is the ST-Line X front wheel drive, which was the best driving Escape in the regular petrol versions we drove at launch.
I described this as something of a Dark Horse, since ST-Line typically means ‘lots of show but not always go’ and I was happily proved very wrong with the especially rewarding drive in the ST-Line X.
As to the PHEV versions – you can opt for the slightly less spectacular, ‘regular’ Escape PHEV, but we wouldn’t; go the whole hog since it’s not going to cost you much more – the ST-Line X has lost none of its driver’s appeal and in fact, has added to it, quite considerably.
Such is the nature of some – not all – electric/semi-electric (PHEV) vehicles. When you take away the noise of a standard ICE (Infern…oops, Internal Combustion Engine), some vehicles exhibit the creaks, groans and whistles of a Humpback whale mating call.
Some manufacturers – Ford among them – have gone to extreme lengths to prevent your vehicle from sending amorous messages to aquatic mammalia – probably a good thing if Escapes to the coast are on your holiday agenda – and making the PHEV ‘serenely silent.’
And then we can start looking at the rest of what makes the ST-Line X specification so darned good. First up, seats.
Now, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I don’t buy my cars based on any seat other then the front right – that’s my chair and I want it to be as comfy as I can get it.
Ford knows this, and the command chair for the Escape PHEV is 10-way adjustable, heated, and trimmed in partial leather and partial suede. Being a Sports seat, it has that cool stitching as well.
So I’m happy. But for some reason, I felt compelled to get in the back where I discovered – barring the heating and the adjustability considerations – the seats are the same, just as comfy and offer excellent head and legroom, even when the front seat is set for me – as far from the airbags as I can get.
Hmm, note to self, check out all backseat accommodations in future, AND the cargo area.
On this, the Escape PHEV is all set up for holidays away with its clever internal cargo blind that moves with the tailgate to cover up anything in the 517 to 1423 litre cargo space.
The ST-Line X does have a more refined feel to it with its 10-speaker Bang and Olafsen sound system, 12-inch instrument cluster, heads up display, sports steering wheel, alloy pedals, quad projector dynamic headlights, body kit, large wing spoiler, black roof rails, chrome tip mufflers and panoramic sunroof, which sets it apart from the range.
Common to all Escapes is the core attribute of the organic shape which implies ‘Ford’ motion as the Blue Oval drives confidently, and comfortably into the future with vehicles like the Escape PHEV.