The name is a surprising choice as none of the original Escorts were ever officially sold in China , and so unlike in Europe there is no heritage on which to generate sales. Externally it is quite obviously derived from the old Ford Focus saloon , but there's just enough uniqueness to give it a separate identity while incorporating the latest Ford DNA with features like the latest Ford family grille. Inside, the major feature on the dashboard is a control panel for the infotainment system.
Instead, as standard, there's a removable cradle to mount a smartphone on the dash with a USB charger hidden underneath. This might be an acceptable solution on the base model but for the money the range-topper demands, you expect more.
Leather upholstery is standard, with both light and dark finishes available. While the boot is a decent size, the floor covering does not fully extend to the lip, leaving part of the spare wheel exposed. This Trend trim comes with six airbags and Isofix child seat attachments. Sports mode on the automatic allows gear changes via buttons mounted on the drive selector.
However, this seems to add little if anything to the driving experience. There is a lot of engine noise when accelerating, particularly in Sports mode, but never much actual acceleration. At least the gear changes themselves are seamless enough. With its dynamics based on the old Focus, traction is good and handling is adept.
The steering is well weighted and precise, although suspension settings are on the soft side to compensate for China's poor road conditions.
