SUV scoops top safety rating

The all-new Ford Escape has achieved a five-star ANCAP safety rating and scored close to full marks for its autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection system.

It performed well across each of ANCAP Safety’s four key areas of assessment and maintains the five-star rating of the previous version of the SUV.

Andrew Birkic, president and chief executive officer of Ford Australia and New Zealand, welcomed the results and says the marque works hard to keep those inside and outside the vehicle safe. 

“The all-new Escape has a comprehensive set of driver-assist technologies as standard, such as AEB with pedestrian detection and evasive steering assist,” he explains.

“We’re proud that our driver-assist technologies not only support the safety of an Escape’s driver and passengers, but also other road users.” 

In the ANCAP tests, the Escape scored 92 per cent for adult occupant protection, 89 per cent for child occupant protection, 77 per cent for safety assist and 82 per cent for the protection of vulnerable road users. 

Rhianne Robson, ANCAP director – communications and advocacy, adds: “Close to full points were scored for the Escape’s ability to detect and avoid or mitigate collisions with pedestrians and cyclists across a range of day-time and night-time scenarios through its standard-fit autonomous emergency braking system.” 

The standard safety technology across the Escape line-up includes AEB with pedestrian detection, evasive steering assist, forward collision warning, traffic sign recognition, blind spot detection and lane departure warning.