MEDIUMS: WELL DONE Ford Escape Ambiente and Holden Equinox LS

SLIGHTLY random fact: the Ford Escape and Holden Equinox are dimensionally roughly equal to their respective early Falcon and EJ/EH ancestors of the 1960s. And therein lies an amazing coincidence (or is it truth?) about medium SUVS – they actually represent the size and footprint Australians have always loved. No wonder families across the land are flocking to them.

Not these two, though. Both have struggled to gain traction with consumers despite keen pricing, very competitive packaging, progressive dynamic characteristics and above-average aftersales care. What gives, Australia?

We’ve long banged on about how underrated the German-engineered, Spanish-made Escape (and its prefacelift Kuga predecessor) has been since launching in 2013, and in $28,990 Ambiente manual guise, few midsized crossovers are as delightful. The 2016 makeover ushered in a welcome dash overhaul with Ford’s excellent SYNC3 multimedia interface, topping a long list of features that also includes sat-nav, DAB+ digital radio, climate control and – since MY18 – AEB and alloy wheels.

That’s the basics covered and then some – and that’s before taking in the excellent driving position, fine front seats, spacious interior and sizeable cargo area.

However, the Ambiente 1.5 turbo FWD manual’s bestkept secret is its lovely, measured steering, providing the sort of crisp handling and balanced, secure roadholding that enthusiasts can sink their teeth into, coupled with superb damping, for a ride quality that – as with the Toyota C-HR’S – would embarrass most similarly sized luxury-badged medium SUVS. Ford’s engineering prowess is fierce.

Technically, the agreeable six-speed torque-converter auto (as pictured) is $500 over our limit, but we implore keener drivers to just try the rarely purchased six-speed manual as well before signing a dotted line. Working seamlessly with the quick and creamy 110kw/240nm 1.5-litre four-pot turbo, it helps connect car and driver, for an inclusive, involving drive. The same DNA that makes the Focus and Mondeo so great behind the wheel is also all over the Escape. Just more so when there’s a clutch involved.

In some ways, the $27,990 Equinox LS 1.5 turbo FWD – based on the GM Delta platform that spawned the current Astra range – is an even more impressive effort, since it

offers a longer, larger and more family-friendly body for less money.

Unlike the Ford, the Holden has benefitted from a generous dose of local Aussie tuning down at Lang Lang, providing a level of steering and handling alacrity and control that would be familiar to owners of the Commodore. Though not quite on the same finesse level as the Escape, the Equinox feels terrifically tied down. Much more than just a Mexican-made Chevrolet, then.

That sporty Astra connection is evident in the other car-like ways this big mid-sizer hustles along, from the peaky 127kw/275nm 1.5-litre turbo’s love of revs to the long-throw shifter. Find an especially fast set of bends and this LS will soon have you forgetting you’re in such a family-focused machine.

While on the latter point, you’ll struggle to find a more spacious contender for the cash, whether carting kids of all ages or cargo of all configurations, while the interior’s design and execution – while unexciting – is practical. The better-equipped Ford does feel more European inside, but the Holden’s hardier (and admittedly cheaper-feeling) plastics give it a wipe-down usefulness.

So, in a segment that is now the biggest-selling in the entire industry, why are Aussies ignoring these two? Is it the Escape’s awkward tippy-toed stance? The Equinox’s slightly watered-down styling that makes it look like an Alamo rental out of LAX? As the dynamic-duo Ambiente and LS demonstrate, both deserve better than that.