07 August 2010 - 2010 Ford Escape, the small SUV with the best crash test ratings of any vehicle in its class, is increasing its technology leadership with the addition of five new features that improve safety, reduce driver distractions and aid drivers by automatically parallel parking their vehicle.

The new Ford Escape, in showrooms this summer, will add MyKey™ teen-safety technology, Integrated Spotter Mirrors - both offered standard (MyKey on XLT and above models) - optional Rear View Camera System and SYNC with real-time Traffic, Directions and Information. The new model also will be the North America's first SUV to offer Active Park Assist, which uses an ultrasonic-based sensing system and Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) to position the vehicle for parallel parking, calculate the optimal steering angle and quickly steer the vehicle into a parking spot.

With this latest refresh (latest in a list of many!), Ford has replaced the chrome grille with a black mesh grille together with a new front bumper design.

There are now two variants of the Ford Escape. The 4X4 model continues to be priced at RM139,888 OTR with insurance but there is now a new Ford Escape 2.3L 2WD XLS model priced at just RM118,888 OTR with insurance – that’s an SUV with a price that’s cheaper than a Ford Focus TDCi.

Other than the 4X4 system being omitted in the XLS model, it also comes with only two front airbags instead of four airbags in the 4X4 Escape XLT. It is also missing the cruise control found in the 4X4. The sound system in the 4X2 is also less specced – only 4 speakers versus 6 speakers and a single CD slot instead of a 6-CD changer. Seats are fabric in the 4X2 compared to leather in the 4X4.

Both models use a 2.3 liter inline-4 engine making 157 PS at 6,000rpm and 200Nm of torque at 4,000rpm – this is up from the 146 PS and 196Nm found in the 2009 model. But it’s still rather weak numbers for a 2.3 liter engine, must be a very non-aggressive tune.

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