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2021 Ford Escape spy shots

Ford is in the early stages of on-road testing of its next-generation Escape, or Kuga if you're reading this in Europe.

A test mule for the redesigned compact crossover SUV has been spotted for the first time.

The test mule is using the makeshift body of the current Escape to hide the new mechanicals, though we can still gather a few clues about the new model.

A lengthened tail section and wider hood suggests the new Escape, the nameplate's fourth iteration, will be longer and wider than its predecessor. It also looks like the ride height will be taller and the approach angle steeper, which should give the vehicle a tougher, more rugged stance.

The increased size makes sense with Ford having recently introduced the subcompact Ecosport. Key Escape rivals like the Nissan Rogue and Volkswagen Tiguan have also grown substantially with their most recent redesigns.

Underpinning the vehicle is likely a close relative of the platform residing under the fourth-generation Focus compact due out later this year. Look for the standard powertrain to be a turbocharged inline-4 and 8-speed automatic in the United States. We're also expecting the Escape Hybrid to make a return, this time with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. It's part of Ford's plan to launch 24 hybrid and plug-in hybrids over the next five years, including F-150 and Mustang hybrids.

It's still early days for the new Escape as the first prototypes are unlikely to be out and about until next year. This means the debut of the new Escape is unlikely to happen until 2020, which means we'll probably see it arrive in showrooms as a 2021 model.

Production for the U.S. will take place at Ford's plant in Louisville, Kentucky, where the current Escape is built.

2020 Ford Escape spy shots

Ford is in the early stages of on-road tests for a new generation of the Escape, or Kuga if you're reading this in Europe.

A prototype has been spotted for the first time and hints at a smoother, more fluid-like design for the fourth-generation model. Ford's latest Focus is a good indication of what's to come.

Our earlier shots showed a test mule using the makeshift body of the current Escape to hide the new mechanicals. The lengthened tail section and wider hood of the test mule indicates that the new Escape will be longer and wider than its predecessor.

The increased size makes sense with Ford having recently introduced the subcompact Ecosport as well as announcing a new baby off-roader. In addition, key Escape rivals like the Nissan Rogue and Volkswagen Tiguan have also grown substantially with their most recent redesigns.

Underpinning the new Escape is Ford's new platform for compact cars that debuted in the latest Focus. It's a modular design that ups rigidity and torsion compared to the platform it replaces.

It's too early to talk specifics but we can expect the standard powertrain to be a turbocharged inline-4 mated to an 8-speed automatic and front-wheel drive in the United States. All-wheel drive will be available.

We're also expecting the Escape Hybrid to make a return, this time with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. It's part of Ford's plan to launch 24 hybrid and plug-in hybrids over the next five years, including F-150 and Mustang hybrids, though we might not see it at launch.

Speaking of the launch, the new Escape is expected to be revealed late this year, meaning we could see it introduced for the 2020 model year. Production for the U.S. should take place at Ford's plant in Louisville, Kentucky, where the current Escape is built.

The new Escape will be a pivotal model as the only other Ford vehicle in the compact class will be a Focus Active soft-roader (shown above). Recall, the Blue Oval has decided to do away with almost all of its passenger car models in North America.

Vispen74 skrev:10000-kronors frågan är, köpa nya Rav4 i dag, eller vänta ett år på nästa Kuga? Har himla beslutsångest. Min inbytesbil, Mondeo mk5 2015 har redan nått bottenpriset på 120000 i inbyte, så det kan ju inte sjunka så mycket mer på att vänta ett år till tänker jag.

davve d skrev:Klart du ska vänta på nya Kugan, vem åker egentligen Toyota!!??;)



Tror du åker så pass bra i Mondeon att du vill ha senaste tekniken från Ford i nya Kugan och kan gott vänta tills nästa år.