PACK A PUNCH
Turbo power gives medium SUVs the urge buyers expect for $50K
Buyers who deserted the longstanding Aussie six-cylinder sedan for a midsized SUV had to settle for substantially less power than they were accustomed to. Things have changed lately, as more makers are turbocharging family SUVs and producing outputs that match or better the trusty old Commodore and Falcon.
The latest to join the party is Mazda’s CX-5. We’ve pitted it against Ford’s Escape and Holden’s Equinox to see which one has bragging rights under the bonnet.
FORD ESCAPE TITANIUM
Ford’s EcoBoost four-cylinder turbo originally appeared in the Falcon in 2012 as an alternative to the locally built 4.0-litre six. In the Escape, it is available in all but the cheapest model and is matched to a six-speed automatic.
It is the quietest and feels the most refined of the three engines here but can’t quite match the acceleration of the Mazda and Holden. The auto isn’t as intuitive and quick shifting as the other two, also blunting performance slightly.
The Escape is a capable performer on a twisty road, however, disguising its weight and high centre of gravity. The steering is sharper than the Equinox and it soaks up bumps well at speed. The trade-off for that control is a slightly lumpier ride at slow speeds.
The Escape is getting quite long in the tooth — this model essentially debuted as the Kuga in 2013 — and the interior looks dated. There are no gripes with the quality of the materials, the updated infotainment is among the most userfriendly available but the dash layout is fussy and cluttered and there are some hard shiny plastics.
There are 12V outlets in the front, back and load area, as well as two USB outlets in the front. Storage space is generous and there are folddown tray tables and air vents for the kids in the back. The cabin is roomy but there are no levers for dropping the rear seats from the load area.
Standard safety gear is a bit skinny, running to autonomous emergency braking, blind spot alert and rear cross traffic alert but an extra $800 buys you adaptive cruise control, auto dipping high-beams, high-speed AEB and lanekeep assist. The car will also dial triple-0 after an accident and you can program a key for younger drivers that limits top speed and radio volume.