ZC Escape

The ZC Escape is a long-overdue midlife facelift of Ford's original compact SUV that went on sale in Australia in February 2001 - the same time its mechanical twin, the Mazda Tribute, arrived here.

Based on the same monocoque platform as it Tribute sister model, the revised Escape features all-new front-end styling, LED tail-lights, extra safety features and a totally new, more comfortable and contemporary interior that banishes its predecessor's column-shifter.

The protracted four-variant range opens at a sub-$30,000 price tag for the first time, for the four-cylinder XLS automatic, powered by a cleaner, smoother, more flexible and more powerful 109kW/199Nm 2.3-litre engine.

The 152kW/276Nm 3.0-litre V6 now also meets Euro II emissions laws, as well as offering more flexibility and 10 per cent better fuel consumption.