Review: There’s no Escape from this Ford SUV’s escalating price tag

First, my double take on a number: $43,014. Boy, did my head do a Linda Blair (The Exorcist) spin when I saw the all-in price of the Ford Escape all-wheel-drive compact sport-utility vehicle.

This is not a Lamborghini or a BMW, but a mainstream crossover wagon that is the most popular of its kind in Canada. Talk about sticker shock.

Don't get me wrong. The Escape is one of the two best-handling, best riding, most technologically sophisticated small SUVs, right up there with Mazda's CX-5. And my tester was the ritzy Titanium model ($35,699) with extras such as tri-coat black leather seats ($400), blind spot detection, automated parking system and other gizmos ($1,750), MyFord Touch/SIRIUS radio/navigation ($800) and so on. The options added $5,700 to the base sticker. Très chic.

But how did this Ford Escape get to this price when the most affordable version is a reasonable $24,499? Well, the base price Escape has a pedestrian 2.5-litre four-banger (168 horsepower), while my tester had a 231-horsepower turbocharged (EcoBoost) four. The forced induction spins up effortlessly and without any nasty blast of power – no turbo lag, in other words. Good engine. And the six-speed autobox is slick and smooth.

The cheaper Escape is bare bones compared to the luxurious Titanium model. My tester came with really fine seats, for instance. Visibility all around is terrific thanks to the high seating position and generous greenhouse.

This crossover's all-wheel drive system, says Ford, is intelligent, too. It takes all sorts of signal data (wheel speed, accelerator pedal position and so on) and then sends power to the wheels that need it to keep you from getting stuck.

The MyFord Touch infotainment interface is first-rate. I know the folks at Consumer Reports hate it. But I like how the designers have divided the touch screen into four quadrants (sound system, climate, etc.) that allow you to finger-punch what you want with ease.

You could say the Escape is an expensive mainstream SUV or you could say it's a nicely priced luxury ride. I think it's pricey. And I worry about all those Escape recalls.

You'll like this car if ... you can afford an up-market small SUV from a mainstream brand.

TECH SPECS

Base price: $24,499; as tested: $43,014 (including $1,615 destination and delivery)
Engine: 2.0-litre EcoBoost (turbocharged) four-cylinder
Drive: All-wheel drive
Fuel economy (litres/100 km): 9.8 city/7.1 highway
Alternatives: Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Santa Fe Sport and Tucson, Nissan Rogue, Chevrolet Equinox, Dodge Journey, Kia Sportage, Mitsubishi Outlander and maybe RVR, Subaru Forster and perhaps SV Crosstrek, Toyota RAV4, Volkswagen Tiguan

RATINGS

Looks: When designers talk about balanced proportions, this is what they’re talking about. The Escape sits nicely on its wheels.
Interior: The seats in the pricey Titanium model are wonderfully well-bolstered and adjustable.
Technology: Ford is positioning all its models at tech leaders and this rig is no exception. The all-wheel-drive system does some thinking, the turbo engine is high-tech and you can talk to the Sync controls.
Performance: Lots of power here. The turbo four spins up when you need extra giddy-up, and if you’re careful, the fuel economy is more than decent.
Cargo: So-so. The space in back is good enough for most chores, but if you haul larger stuff, you’ll be frustrated.

The Verdict

7.5

I want to give this one a higher mark because the package here is sophisticated, but wow, can you ever drive up the price of an Escape – and then there are all those recalls.

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