DIRECT LINE TO SPORTING INTENT

VALUE

The $44,000 drive-away Escape ST-Line sits just below the luxury Titanium, with which it shares the 2.0-litre turbo and all-wheel drive. It gets gloss black 19-inch alloys, black grille and lower bumper inserts and twin exhaust outlets. Inside, the sports seats are covered in a fauxsuede material, the leather steering wheel has matching stitching and there are built-in navigation, Apple Car Play/Android Auto, digital radio, CD player and premium Sony audio. Dual-zone aircon and proximity key with push button start are also standard but the hands-free tailgate opening is an $800 option. Warranty is five years/unlimited kilometres and three years’ servicing costs $1185.

COMFORT

The dashboard is vast. The driving position is comfortable and the Escape is one of the roomiest in its class for cabin and cargo space. The rear seats fold almost flat and there’s a space-saver spare. There are large cubbies in the doors, although the centre console and glovebox are average in size, and vents to the second row. The two USB outlets up front are fast chargers and there are 12V sockets front and rear. The ST-Line comes with factory tinted glass on the rear doors. There is a central locking switch on each front door panel, so the front passenger can lock and unlock the car. For late night long hauls, the instrument cluster can be almost blacked out to show only the needles and digital speed readout. It’s easy on the eyes.

SAFETY

Standard are seven airbags, city-speed autonomous emergency braking, rear cross traffic alert, blind zone warning, front and rear parking sensors and hi-res rear view camera with guide lines that turn with the steering. An optional $800 safety package includes radar cruise control that adds highway-speed AEB, lane keep assistance, automatic high-beam dipping and tyre pressure monitors.

DRIVING

The 2.0-litre turbo turns a six-speed auto (with sports and normal modes and paddle-shifters) and on-demand AWD. It’s not hot hatch quick but it’s brisk for a mid-size SUV. We stopped the clock on the 0-100km/h dash in 7.6 seconds. The Michelin tyres have decent grip and the suspension is a touch busy over bumps rather than firm. Enthusiasts will like the communicative feel. Towing capacity is less than most class rivals: 1600kg.

ALTERNATIVES PEUGEOT 3008 1.6 GT-LINE $49,000 DRIVE-AWAY

Smaller, less powerful turbo (115kW/240Nm) with six-speed auto and front-drive does a fair job and is slightly more economical. Claims 0-100km/h in 9.5 seconds and insists on premium unleaded. Tows 1500kg.

HOLDEN EQUINOX LTZ-V $46,000 DRIVE-AWAY

Doesn’t look as sporty as the Escape ST-Line

but the 2.0-litre turbo has more grunt (188kW/ 353Nm) and, paired with a nine-speed auto, has a fraction more zip (0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds). Extras include dual sunroof, ventilated front seats and heated steering wheel. Tows 2000kg.

VW TIGUAN 162TSI HIGHLINE $49,490

In the realigned Tiguan range, the Highline is as good as it gets for now. The 2.0-litre turbo (162kW/350Nm), paired to a seven-speed twinclutch auto and all-wheel drive, clocks 6.8 seconds for the 0-100km/h dash. Tows 2500kg.