2020 Ford Escape Hybrid Review: Back in the Lead Peloton, But… The Escape pioneered the concept of a hybrid powertrain for an SUV; it reappears in a vastly altered landscape – Auto123.com
2020 has seen a number of new electrified models arrive on the market, even if the pandemic has pushed back and continues to delay the launch of some products. Nearly every automaker is pursuing an electrification strategy to attract customers who are increasingly inclined to go electric – at least partially.
Ford’s plugging in From Ford, we hear a lot about the Mustang Mach-E, the Mustang-inspired crossover that is training its sights on a certain Tesla Model Y. Over the next few months, the Dearborn-based manufacturer will be enhancing its 100 percent-electric lineup with an F-150 that runs purely on electricity, but in the meantime, Ford is offering other ways to enjoy the benefits of electrification. That’s the case with the Ford Escape Hybrid and its plug-in hybrid variant, both new for the 2020 model year.
The Ford Escape Hybrid also marks the return of this half-gas engine, half-electric motor configuration. Now, the Escape was actually previously sold with such a powertrain between 2004 and 2012. But despite its pioneer status – the Ford Escape was the first hybrid SUV to appear on the market – the company is playing catch-up in 2020, since several popular compact SUV models are now available with hybrid powertrains, especially in the U.S. where the Honda CR-V (and until recently the Nissan Rogue) can be had with hybrid technology. Clearly, however, Ford’s main competition is Toyota, which will soon be offering the RAV4 Prime with its plug-in hybrid technology, in addition to its popular RAV4 Hybrid.
I has occasion to drive a Titanium trim of the 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD. Here’s what I learned from those few days behind the wheel of an SUV that, whatever its shortcomings, is more fuel-efficient than a sub-compact car. That’s something the brand’s marketers can surely hang their hats on.
Quality of construction still finding its way Questions regarding quality of construction have dogged Ford/Lincoln products for some time, frankly. I noted issues last winter, notably when driving the Lincoln Aviator, which had visible irregularities with its exterior elements. In this case, the 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid proved to be far better put together than some other Ford-badged vehicles tested in recent months. Things aren’t yet perfect, but the improvement is substantial enough to note. It’s more on the inside that the vehicle doesn’t quite deliver the goods.
2020 Ford Escape hybrid, interior
In fact, I was able to very easily remove – or in some cases clear away – plastic panels around the door frames. And don’t think that I had to work hard to remove the components from their factory-installed location. As soon as I opened the driver’s door, I saw plastic edges detached from the A-pillar of the SUV. No big deal, you might say, especially since I could easily put the panels back in place by sliding them under the rubber flange. But still, this lackadaisical finishing doesn’t belong in an SUV costing $38,000 before options, fees and taxes. In this respect, Ford still has a long way to go.
The good news is that the cabin is very easy to live with on a daily basis with its thumb wheel acting as a lever for the transmission and the vent controls grouped handily under the infotainment system controls which, by the way, are easy to use.
Pleasant to drive? The Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD isn’t a conduit for adrenaline into the driver’s bloodstream. The focus is much more about dropping down fuel consumption to as low a level as possible. Still, I have to say the adjustments made to the chassis make for a more animated drive than I expected. First of all, there’s the 2.5L 4-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine that emits a slightly husky sound, which adds a little character to the equation, especially in Sport mode when the vehicle is calibrated for dynamic driving. There’s also a continuously variable transmission that makes the mechanics sing during strong accelerations, but once cruising speed is reached, the vehicle becomes quiet again with the only soundtrack being the rolling of the tires on the pavement.
2020 Ford Escape hybrid, front
The increased stiffness of the chassis also inspires confidence when behind the wheel. Granted, the steering could be more precise, but the Ford Escape is far from being the most unpleasant in its class in this regard. I also found that the suspension is pleasantly adjusted to the often worn-out roads of Quebec, where I conducted by test drive. On uneven surfaces, the Escape Hybrid absorbs cracks and potholes quite well, while in sporty driving conditions, it allows for attacking corners at surprising speeds. Good to know, even if typical owner will never push their Escape to its limits.
As for the hybrid system’s regenerative braking, it obviously requires a short period of time to acclimatize, but after a time I made good friends with it. I liked the indicator light that told me whether my braking action had provided optimal energy recovery.
Unsurprisingly, the Escape Hybrid 4WD isn’t as explosive as the Ford Explorer ST, but it doesn’t have to be ashamed of its performance on the road either.
2020 Ford Escape Hybrid, three-quarters rear
Are the fuel savings enough? A glance at the Canadian EnerGuide fact sheet reveals that the average fuel consumption of the AWD hybrid model is 5.9L/100 km. My fuel economy rating during my week – in the midst of a heat wave – hovered around 7.0L/100 km. I couldn’t really complain about that result given that I had tended to abuse the Sport mode somewhat and used the climate control system to survive the inferno outside…
Predictable, the two-wheel-drive model consumes less fuel, but the gain there is minimal with an official average of 5.8L/100 km according to Natural Resources Canada. In comparison, the same source tells us the Ford Escape equipped with the 3-cylinder EcoBoost consumes an average of 7.9L/100 km.
It remains to be seen whether the fuel economy delivered by the Ford Escape Hybrid justifies going for it and not the regular version of the Escape. Frankly, considering the available federal government rebate (and provincial discounts, for Quebec and B.C. residents), the Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid seems much more appealing, if only for its very decent range in electric mode (61 km) and its average fuel consumption of 2.3L/100 km. That’s the kind of difference you’ll really notice in your monthly budget.
That said, for some, the fact of having to plug the vehicle in after every outing (or almost) represents an obstacle they’re not willing or ready to deal with on a daily basis. That’s where the Ford Escape Hybrid becomes interesting.
2020 Ford Escape hybrid, engine
The last word The Ford Escape was once the number-one best-selling compact SUV in Canada. But the model has been eclipsed by the likes of the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, both very solid models with tons of qualities and rabidly loyal owners. For this fourth-generation model, the folks at Ford are doing everything they can to claw their way back to the top of the segment.
The fight will be fierce, especially with a Toyota RAV4 that has become a juggernaut in this country in recent years, but it’s clear to me that the redesigned new Escape is a more attractive product than the old, and the hybrid version is certainly worth considering when compared with the 3-cylinder-engine version that quickly runs out of breath. On the other hand, take the time to consider the merits of the Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid, which after all features a technology that the American automaker already masters very well.
We like
Fuel economy The sound of the 4-cylinder engine Availability of all-wheel drive
We like less
Quality of construction The plug-in version is more compelling
The competition
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Subaru Crosstrek PHEV Toyota RAV4 hybride
The federal government is ordering the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform, but stopped short of ordering people to stay off the app.
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced the government’s “wind up” demand Wednesday, saying it is meant to address “risks” related to ByteDance Ltd.’s establishment of TikTok Technology Canada Inc.
“The decision was based on the information and evidence collected over the course of the review and on the advice of Canada’s security and intelligence community and other government partners,” he said in a statement.
The announcement added that the government is not blocking Canadians’ access to the TikTok application or their ability to create content.
However, it urged people to “adopt good cybersecurity practices and assess the possible risks of using social media platforms and applications, including how their information is likely to be protected, managed, used and shared by foreign actors, as well as to be aware of which country’s laws apply.”
Champagne’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment seeking details about what evidence led to the government’s dissolution demand, how long ByteDance has to comply and why the app is not being banned.
A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement that the shutdown of its Canadian offices will mean the loss of hundreds of well-paying local jobs.
“We will challenge this order in court,” the spokesperson said.
“The TikTok platform will remain available for creators to find an audience, explore new interests and for businesses to thrive.”
The federal Liberals ordered a national security review of TikTok in September 2023, but it was not public knowledge until The Canadian Press reported in March that it was investigating the company.
At the time, it said the review was based on the expansion of a business, which it said constituted the establishment of a new Canadian entity. It declined to provide any further details about what expansion it was reviewing.
A government database showed a notification of new business from TikTok in June 2023. It said Network Sense Ventures Ltd. in Toronto and Vancouver would engage in “marketing, advertising, and content/creator development activities in relation to the use of the TikTok app in Canada.”
Even before the review, ByteDance and TikTok were lightning rod for privacy and safety concerns because Chinese national security laws compel organizations in the country to assist with intelligence gathering.
Such concerns led the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a bill in March designed to ban TikTok unless its China-based owner sells its stake in the business.
Champagne’s office has maintained Canada’s review was not related to the U.S. bill, which has yet to pass.
Canada’s review was carried out through the Investment Canada Act, which allows the government to investigate any foreign investment with potential to might harm national security.
While cabinet can make investors sell parts of the business or shares, Champagne has said the act doesn’t allow him to disclose details of the review.
Wednesday’s dissolution order was made in accordance with the act.
The federal government banned TikTok from its mobile devices in February 2023 following the launch of an investigation into the company by federal and provincial privacy commissioners.
— With files from Anja Karadeglija in Ottawa
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2024.
LONDON (AP) — Most people have accumulated a pile of data — selfies, emails, videos and more — on their social media and digital accounts over their lifetimes. What happens to it when we die?
It’s wise to draft a will spelling out who inherits your physical assets after you’re gone, but don’t forget to take care of your digital estate too. Friends and family might treasure files and posts you’ve left behind, but they could get lost in digital purgatory after you pass away unless you take some simple steps.
Here’s how you can prepare your digital life for your survivors:
Apple
The iPhone maker lets you nominate a “ legacy contact ” who can access your Apple account’s data after you die. The company says it’s a secure way to give trusted people access to photos, files and messages. To set it up you’ll need an Apple device with a fairly recent operating system — iPhones and iPads need iOS or iPadOS 15.2 and MacBooks needs macOS Monterey 12.1.
For iPhones, go to settings, tap Sign-in & Security and then Legacy Contact. You can name one or more people, and they don’t need an Apple ID or device.
You’ll have to share an access key with your contact. It can be a digital version sent electronically, or you can print a copy or save it as a screenshot or PDF.
Take note that there are some types of files you won’t be able to pass on — including digital rights-protected music, movies and passwords stored in Apple’s password manager. Legacy contacts can only access a deceased user’s account for three years before Apple deletes the account.
Google
Google takes a different approach with its Inactive Account Manager, which allows you to share your data with someone if it notices that you’ve stopped using your account.
When setting it up, you need to decide how long Google should wait — from three to 18 months — before considering your account inactive. Once that time is up, Google can notify up to 10 people.
You can write a message informing them you’ve stopped using the account, and, optionally, include a link to download your data. You can choose what types of data they can access — including emails, photos, calendar entries and YouTube videos.
There’s also an option to automatically delete your account after three months of inactivity, so your contacts will have to download any data before that deadline.
Facebook and Instagram
Some social media platforms can preserve accounts for people who have died so that friends and family can honor their memories.
When users of Facebook or Instagram die, parent company Meta says it can memorialize the account if it gets a “valid request” from a friend or family member. Requests can be submitted through an online form.
The social media company strongly recommends Facebook users add a legacy contact to look after their memorial accounts. Legacy contacts can do things like respond to new friend requests and update pinned posts, but they can’t read private messages or remove or alter previous posts. You can only choose one person, who also has to have a Facebook account.
You can also ask Facebook or Instagram to delete a deceased user’s account if you’re a close family member or an executor. You’ll need to send in documents like a death certificate.
TikTok
The video-sharing platform says that if a user has died, people can submit a request to memorialize the account through the settings menu. Go to the Report a Problem section, then Account and profile, then Manage account, where you can report a deceased user.
Once an account has been memorialized, it will be labeled “Remembering.” No one will be able to log into the account, which prevents anyone from editing the profile or using the account to post new content or send messages.
X
It’s not possible to nominate a legacy contact on Elon Musk’s social media site. But family members or an authorized person can submit a request to deactivate a deceased user’s account.
Passwords
Besides the major online services, you’ll probably have dozens if not hundreds of other digital accounts that your survivors might need to access. You could just write all your login credentials down in a notebook and put it somewhere safe. But making a physical copy presents its own vulnerabilities. What if you lose track of it? What if someone finds it?
Instead, consider a password manager that has an emergency access feature. Password managers are digital vaults that you can use to store all your credentials. Some, like Keeper,Bitwarden and NordPass, allow users to nominate one or more trusted contacts who can access their keys in case of an emergency such as a death.
But there are a few catches: Those contacts also need to use the same password manager and you might have to pay for the service.
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Is there a tech challenge you need help figuring out? Write to us at onetechtip@ap.org with your questions.
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s competition watchdog said Thursday it’s opening a formal investigation into Google’s partnership with artificial intelligence startup Anthropic.
The Competition and Markets Authority said it has “sufficient information” to launch an initial probe after it sought input earlier this year on whether the deal would stifle competition.
The CMA has until Dec. 19 to decide whether to approve the deal or escalate its investigation.
“Google is committed to building the most open and innovative AI ecosystem in the world,” the company said. “Anthropic is free to use multiple cloud providers and does, and we don’t demand exclusive tech rights.”
San Francisco-based Anthropic was founded in 2021 by siblings Dario and Daniela Amodei, who previously worked at ChatGPT maker OpenAI. The company has focused on increasing the safety and reliability of AI models. Google reportedly agreed last year to make a multibillion-dollar investment in Anthropic, which has a popular chatbot named Claude.
Anthropic said it’s cooperating with the regulator and will provide “the complete picture about Google’s investment and our commercial collaboration.”
“We are an independent company and none of our strategic partnerships or investor relationships diminish the independence of our corporate governance or our freedom to partner with others,” it said in a statement.
The U.K. regulator has been scrutinizing a raft of AI deals as investment money floods into the industry to capitalize on the artificial intelligence boom. Last month it cleared Anthropic’s $4 billion deal with Amazon and it has also signed off on Microsoft’s deals with two other AI startups, Inflection and Mistral.
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