The Ford Escape was Ford's mid-sized SUV rival to models such as the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Tucson. It combined a roomy cabin, European-developed dynamics and the choice of petrol and plug-in hybrid power during its later Australian run. The Escape is no longer sold new locally, leaving Ford without a conventional mid-sized SUV in its current range. Existing examples remain appealing for buyers who want a practical family SUV with sharper steering and stronger performance than many mainstream alternatives. Its challenge was always buyer attention, not ability: the Escape drove well, offered useful space and brought a more polished road feel than its sales numbers suggested.