2022 Ford Escape ST-Line PHEV: Plug-in hybrid timing confirmed

UPDATE: Ford Australia has advised Wheels there was an error on its website, and the 2022 Ford Escape ST-Line PHEV is still on track to arrive in the second quarter of 2022 (April to June inclusive). The story has been updated below.

The 2022 Ford Escape ST-Line PHEV is due to arrive in early 2022, with some local specifications confirmed by the Department of Infrastructure.

On its Australian website, Ford has also detailed the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Escape with features expected to be locked-in when pricing is announced later this year, ahead of its delayed arrival.

When the Escape was first shown in April 2019, early indications had the model arriving in 2020. More recently, that timeframe was pushed back to late 2021, and now we’re being told it will be the second quarter of 2022.

As mentioned, the Escape PHEV has already been certified by the Department of Transport, with details published on the Government’s RVCS website confirming it will use a 2.5-litre Atkinson Cycle non-turbo four-cylinder engine as part of its hybrid powertrain.

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In combination with a 14.4kWh battery and an electric motor, the Escape PHEV will send a total output of 167kW to the front wheels through a PowerSplit e-CVT automatic, with a combined fuel consumption of 1.5L/100km listed for overseas markets.

Ford claims an electric-only driving range of 56 kilometres based on the WLTP test cycle, with charging taking around two hours using a 22kW AC unit.

The plug-in hybrid Escape will be offered solely as ST-Line trim, offering features such as keyless entry, hands-free power tailgate, wireless smartphone charging, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, 575-watt 10-speaker B&O sound system, 12.3-inch digital cluster, head-up display, and LED headlights.

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The Escape ST-Line PHEV also comes with autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, SYNC3 emergency assistance, a 180-degree parking cameras, traffic sign recognition, radar cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, tyre-pressure monitoring, lane-keep assist, and semi-autonomous park assist when the Parking Pack is optioned.

Interestingly, the model is already available in New Zealand for NZ$66,990 (AU$65,000) – likely due to favourable government policies. Buyers over the ditch currently receive a subsidy of NZ$5750 (AU$5581), while plug-in hybrids are exempt from paying registration fees until 2024.

Australian pricing and specifications for the 2022 Ford Escape ST-Line PHEV will be announced in the coming months.