In case you missed it, Ford unveiled the Mustang Mach-E, an electric crossover. Ford might have dubbed it something different, but the marketing department opted to capitalize on the iconic Mustang brand to get headlines and, perhaps, customers. What should not be missed is Ford's decision to build its first solo electric car as a crossover.
This selection demonstrates how far the sport utility vehicle has progressed. When combined with Ford's plan to discontinue sedans and hatchbacks, it's apparent that the corporation is betting everything on trucks, SUVs, and crossovers. Suffice it to say; the new 2020 Ford Escape is under some pressure.
While the Ford Escape has been on the market since 2000, it came into its own in 2013 when Ford embraced the "One Ford" strategy, which meant that cars would be marketed in different countries across the world. As a result, the Ford Escape—a high-tech, attractive, and surprisingly sporty compact SUV—was renamed the Ford Kuga throughout Europe.
With all of this in mind, the new Ford Escape must not only outperform the previous model to compete in the compact crossover category, but it must also win over the potential sedan and hatchback buyers. So can the Ford Escape live up to the hype?
The new Ford Escape is an appealing small crossover SUV. The wide grille is shared with the outgoing Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks, and the Ford GT supercar influences the headlights. The old Escape featured a more upright rear end, and as we'll see later, the new Escape's more curving form comes at a price. Nonetheless, the Escape remains one of the most attractive compact SUVs on the market, probably trailing just the Mazda CX-5 and Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Moving inside, we find a beautiful, contemporary cabin that isn't too far ahead of its time. The design is forward-thinking, yet it retains the essential controls in place. Our test vehicle had a digital instrument panel, a floating infotainment screen, and a sleek, futuristic appearance.
The Ford Escape is offered in S, SE, SE Sport, SEL, and Titanium trim levels. The basic S model comes standard with 17-inch steel wheels with plastic covers, a 4.2-inch instrument-panel screen, three 12-volt power outlets, manually adjustable front seats, and Sync infotainment with a 4.2-inch screen in the center console. The S model also includes FordPass Connect, which includes WiFi and the capability to remotely lock, unlock, and start your car from your mobile device. The S also comes standard with a comprehensive set of driver-assistance systems.
The Ford Escape SE model gains 17-inch painted aluminum wheels, tinted side and rear windows, a chrome grille surround, and body-color door handles. The SE trim level includes automatic temperature control, heated seats, satellite radio, and a fold-down center armrest for the rear. The 4.2-inch infotainment screen is replaced by an 8-inch Sync 3 infotainment system in the SE version.
The Ford Escape Sport trim replaces the painted aluminum wheels with 17-inch black-painted wheels. Other sporty elements include a black surround grille, black window trim, and black mirror caps. The SE Sport has a 12.3-inch utterly digital instrument panel and a leather-wrapped steering wheel on the inside. In addition, SE Sport, contrary to popular belief, receives a hybrid powertrain.
Fog lights, black roof racks, 18-inch machined aluminum wheels, and a hands-free, foot-activated power liftgate are all standard on the SEL. In addition, the Ford Escape SEL has a memory for the motorized driver's seat, sport seats up front, a heated steering wheel, and one-touch windows.
Engine options for compact SUVs are generally restricted to one or two powertrain options. Competitors such as the Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, and Subaru Forester all have a base engine and a high-feature engine. The new Ford Escape defies this trend by providing four engine options, including a new 3-cylinder engine with 180 hp (177 pound-feet of torque), which comes standard.
A turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and two hybrid configurations are among the remaining three engines. The 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is standard on our Titanium test car and is optional on the SEL. It has 250 hp (275 pound-feet of torque), and it accelerates pretty quickly.
The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine produces 198 hp as part of the hybrid powertrain system, including a battery pack and electric power. This configuration is standard on the SE Sport and optional on the Titanium.
This powertrain is also available in a plug-in hybrid form, which is available as an option on the SE, SEL, and Titanium. (The Titanium is available with all engines except the basic 3-cylinder.) The traditional engines deliver power through an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrids use a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Furthermore, the 3-cylinder motor and non-plug-in hybrid system may be had with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), whereas the turbo engine and plug-in come standard with AWD.
The driving is precise and tight, and the Ford Escape has a sporty feel to it. This borderline athletic demeanor is driven home by strong, sensitive brakes, which raise the bar from the previous Escape. "Sporty" isn't a required feature for compact SUVs, but consumers do look for it, as shown by vehicles like the Mazda CX-5. Simply because you have to wait in traffic every day does not imply that you have to enjoy it.
When the backseat is folded down, the Ford Escape has 65.4 cubic feet of cargo capacity or 60.8 cubic feet in higher-level trims. That's good, but consider that the previous 2019 Escape offered 68 cubic feet of room, while competitors like the Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, and Volkswagen Tiguan provide about 75 cubic feet. Thus, Ford appears to be heading in the wrong direction. However, considering that the Mazda CX-5 is a very comparable rival, putting aesthetics and performance as high as function, and it offers 59.6 cubic feet of luggage space, Ford may have found its niche.
In-car technology is no longer considered a luxury. Even the entry-level Toyota Corolla has a bigger infotainment screen. Unfortunately, this is not the case with the basic Ford Escape, which comes with a tiny 4.2-inch audio control screen. The Escape's new floating screen design (as with many other modern automobiles) makes these low-tier trim elements stand out as eyesores.
The Ford Escape Titanium comes standard with a head-up display (HUD); however, it's a tiny screen rather than a full display extended onto the windshield. Because making glass particularly for HUD reflection is more expensive, and having two distinct windshields on an assembly line is wasteful, the flip-up screen makes installing a HUD more inexpensive. Nonetheless, it severely restricts the experience. For one thing, as a higher driver, it is nearly always out of the line of sight.
The Ford Co-Pilot360 package of advanced safety technologies, including forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams, is standard on the Ford Escape. It also includes frequently available technologies as options, such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver drowsiness monitor.
The basic S variant of the Ford Escape ends up costing $24,000. Our suggested SE trim begins at $27,000, a SE Sport starts at $29,000, and the Titanium starts at $33,000. So a Ford Escape Titanium AWD would be around $38,000.
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