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Escape but delivers the kind of overtaking response Commodore drivers are used to.

Claimed fuel consumption of 8.2L/100km is on par with the Mazda and better than the Ford’s 8.6L but none of these will do anywhere near that in the city. Expect low to mid-teens.

The Equinox is a little softer sprung than the Escape so there’s more pitching under brakes and lean through corners but it still feels composed and capable. Around town, it is better than the Ford at dealing with road imperfections but has an awful turning circle.

Inside, the Equinox looks more modern than the Escape but can’t match the quality look and feel of the Mazda. The plastics feel harder, the panels don’t meet up as precisely and the doors don’t close with the reassuring “thunk” of the Mazda.

If you can get past that, there are a lot of rewards. The centre screen is bigger than the Mazda and there are enough power outlets to satisfy the most tech-hungry families.

There’s a wireless charger for compatible phones and we counted four USB and three 12V outlets, as well as a standard household wall socket to plug in the laptop. As with the Ford, it will park itself.

The front and rear seats are heated and cooled, the centre console bin is huge, there are acres of space in the back and there’s underfloor storage for valuables in the sizeable luggage area.

Standard safety equipment includes AEB, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot alert and lane keep assist.

Active cruise, standard on the Mazda and optional on the Ford, isn’t available and the AEB works only at city speeds.