Overview & Reviews

Since its introduction, the Ford Escape has been one of America's best-selling small crossover SUVs. Considering how many other vehicles are available in this segment (many of them well established before the Escape's debut), this may come as a bit of a surprise. But Ford has a keen knack for designing SUVs that appeal to a wide range of buyers.

With the original Escape, Ford successfully combined the styling and four-wheel-drive capability of a traditional SUV with the size, practicality and driving characteristics of a midsize car. For the urban dweller in need of something comfortable, versatile, fun to drive and capable of doing some light-duty off-roading or towing, it fills the bill perfectly. Of course, the Escape's affordability certainly boosted its appeal as well.

Although it received a significant freshening for 2008 that brought notable improvements to the interior, the Escape soldiered on with its original platform until 2013's complete redesign. The latter rebirth vaulted the Escape toward the front of the compact crossover class, as it offers an appealing combination of styling, performance, fuel efficiency, features and comfort. Prior to that overhaul, however, many rival compact SUVs offered more refinement as well as a more rewarding driving experience.

Current Ford Escape
The current Ford Escape stands as one of the top entries in the very competitive compact crossover segment. There are three trim levels: S, SE and Titanium. The S comes with full power accessories, air-conditioning, the Sync voice command system, a rearview camera and a six-speaker sound system. Highlights of the SE include a turbocharged engine, keyless entry keypad, a power driver seat and satellite radio. The Escape Titanium further adds keyless ignition/entry, the MyFord Touch electronics interface, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, heated front seats and an upgraded sound system.

Many of the higher trims' features are available on the lower trims, while other options include a power panoramic sunroof, a power liftgate, a navigation system and a Parking Technology package (with automated parallel-parking assist and front and rear parking sensors).

Under the hood is a choice of three engines, all matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional. Base Escapes come with a 168-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder. Standard on the SE and Titanium is a turbocharged 1.6-liter, 178-hp four-cylinder. The most powerful engine is an optional turbocharged 2.0-liter, 240-hp four-cylinder engine. The 1.6 flies the fuel-sipper flag while the 2.0 offers performance on par with a V6 along with higher fuel economy.

In reviews, the newest Ford Escape has impressed our staff with its well-rounded road manners. The 2.5 and 1.6 engines provide adequate thrust, while the 2.0 is downright spirited. The latter flattens hills with less effort than the other two and is quieter and smoother to boot. The Escape can confidently tackle a winding road and the ride, though on the firm side, is compliant enough to take the edge off the bumps and ruts of poorly maintained city streets. Downsides to the new Ford Escape include an unexpectedly high price when fitted with options and the MyFord Touch interface, which is finicky to use.

Used Ford Escape Models
Sharing its basic platform with the highly regarded Focus, the latest Ford Escape debuted for the 2013 model year. Compared to earlier Escapes, it boasts roomier seating, higher-quality materials and a second-row seat that's much easier to fold down compared to before. The latest engine selection and features debuted at this time as well. Since then, there have been only minor updates. In that debut year, Ford offered an intermediate SEL trim level and had the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine as standard for the Titanium.

The second-generation Ford Escape was produced from 2008 through 2012. Changes over the first Escape were limited to interior and exterior design. The body adopted Ford's newer styling themes seen in the Edge and Expedition, while the cabin offered a more contemporary look with improved ergonomics and more available luxury features.

The three popular trim levels -- XLS, XLT and Limited -- were once again offered. Standard feature highlights on the XLS included full power accessories, cruise control, air-conditioning and stability control. The XLT added automatic headlights, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a power driver seat, while the Limited provided leather upholstery and heated front seats. Option highlights, depending on the year, included dual-zone automatic climate control, rear parking sensors, a navigation system and an automated parallel-parking system.

Any Escape could be had with either front- or all-wheel drive. Engine choices were carried over from the previous generation initially, meaning a choice of the 153-hp four-cylinder or the 200-hp V6, and both ran through a four-speed automatic transmission. For 2009 the powertrains were improved greatly, as the four-cylinder made 171 hp while the V6 pumped out 240 hp. Although a five-speed manual transmission could be had on the XLS, it's a rarity and as such, nearly all Escapes used a six-speed automatic. There was also a hybrid version of the Escape, which is covered in a separate review.

In reviews, we've found this Escape's strengths to be its wealth of high-tech features and peppy performance. Downsides included poor braking performance, an awkward-to-fold rear seat and a somewhat dated feel compared to newer rivals. That said, this generation of the Escape (as well as its Mazda Tribute and Mercury Mariner twins) remains worthy of shoppers interested in a well-rounded compact crossover.

The Ford Escape was introduced in 2001, and its basic exterior and interior design remained unchanged through '07. It was initially available in XLS, XLT and XLT Sport trims that were joined by the leather-lined Limited a few years later. Ford Escapes were equipped with a rather anemic base engine – a 2.0-liter four that made 130 hp -- until '05 when it was replaced by a 2.3-liter four that made 153 hp. This first-generation Escape also offered an optional V6 that made 200 hp. Although the four-cylinder engines could have a five-speed manual, most had the optional four-speed automatic that was standard on the V6.

Considering how many of these Escapes were sold, shoppers should have plenty of opportunities to be choosy and find a used model that suits them. First-year Escapes were tarnished by numerous recall notices. Though likely resolved at this point, going with a 2002 or newer model might be a good idea. Potential buyers of this first generation of Escape should note that its interior materials were of poor quality, with cheap, hard plastics everywhere.

User Reviews:

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  Love this SUV, would recommend to anyone! - 2004 Ford Escape
  By happy customer - January 27 - 10:24 am

  Bought this car brand new and have never had any problems, just regular maintenance, still going strong. Hope to get a lot more miles out of the car, now has 87,000 miles, maybe get 200,000?

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  LEMON - 2002 Ford Escape
  By laurl - January 26 - 10:00 am

  Read the consumer complaints section on NHTSA.gov, for some important info on this car. You will find 106 others like me who own this car and have multiple experiences with stalling headed down hill or on the freeway. We loose steering and most of our breaking. Its like someone cut the lines. Its frightening. Dont be snookered by crash tests and packaging. Cause you dont want to know what that crash feels like! The car also surges a lot like you have the cruise control on.

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  Why didnt I buy one sooner? - 2006 Ford Escape
  By Blue Beauty - January 22 - 9:42 pm

  I have been driving a Chevy Silverado 4x4 wit 6 inch lift and 36 inch mud tires that averaged 9-11 mpg on the highway. after years of that I decided to buy an Escape XLS and have been 100% satisfied with it. The 4 cylinder with the five speed manual tranny actually as decent acceleration and its fuel mileage is amazing. Everything about the macine is easy to use and functions very well.

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  Still a great Vehicle - 2006 Ford Escape
  By Paul Bernard - January 22 - 1:50 pm

  I gave my 06 Escape a rating back in Aug 06. I was very pleased with it after owning it for only 2 months. Now I confirm that pleasure with 2 years of ownership and just love it. Nothing has gone wrong with it! I do have to say though, the Continental tires had to get replaced at 31,000 miles. They actually looked like new but got so loud, it was like having 4 snow tires on it. I never realized how quiet the Escape was, for those tires were on it when I bought it. They made noise from the beginning but I never realized it. Now its sooo quiet with the new tires. I really like this SUV. Hope to drive it for several more years. No complaints at all.

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  Great car - 2017 Ford Escape
  By Walter - January 22 - 8:28 am

  I bought this car a month ago--Escape Titanium with 2.0 liter engine. (Not sure why Edmunds doesnt list that as a choice yet.) When I bought it, I wasnt expecting to put 2500 miles on it the first month I owned it, but a couple of trips home made that happen. I couldnt be more pleased with this vehicle, both in the city and especially on the highway. Having just returned from my first 800-mile round trip with my spouse, I asked her for her impressions of the Escape. (I did all of the driving.) Her response, and this is a direct quote: "Ive never had an easier trip. Any time I felt like I had to move, I adjusted the lumbar support, or the heat, or the position of the seat. Oh my gosh, it was so comfortable. It was great." (My spouse has had lower back surgery, and this if the first car shes ever been in where she wasnt experiencing back pain at the end of a 6 hour drive.) The electric adjustable passenger seat is a huge plus for us, and hard to find in vehicles at this price point. She also noted that the ride is very quiet. As for me as the driver, the controls are intuitive, the Sync3 is great and responds very quickly to commands, and this car MOVES when you want it to. Acceleration at highway speed is effortless. I also found the leather seats very comfortable, and the drivers seat moves back a couple of inches when you shut off the car, which helps with entry/exit (you dial-in your driving position, then save it with one touch, and the seat returns to that position when you turn on the ignition). When not on the highway, my daily commute into work is in heavy traffic, and I love the auto start/stop feature--you wont notice it, but you will benefit from it. On the recent road trips, I averaged a little over 27 mpg on moderately hilly roads, and with holiday traffic. In city averages are lower; I drive in some of the worst traffic in the country (Washington, DC) and Im averaging about 17.8 in the city, but this is horrific traffic (not unusual to take 40 minutes to go the 11 miles of my daily commute) and unless youre in LA or similar traffic, your average will likely be higher.

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  disappointed - 2006 Ford Escape
  By Nancy - January 19 - 5:20 pm

  My Escape needed major repairs at 55 miles (cylinder head and gasket) and again at 3,300 (serpentine belt, pulley and bearings) . I do not like the gear transition at low speeds (between 2-3 RPMs), very jerky and a big clank when put into reverse at even a small incline.

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  Bought this car new - 2016 Ford Escape
  By Amanda Beavers - January 17 - 5:11 pm

  So today I have the dilemma of my car. It is a 2016 ford Escape very basic very standard model. I use this as my child hauler and daily driver to work. This car had major issues about 8 months after I bought it. I was on the interstate and the car quit accelerating and started shaking violently. I was in the fast lane and couldnt get the car to accelerate. I began to slow at a high rate, and couldnt get over to the shoulder because it was peak hours for traffic in Knoxville tn. I call the dealership and they tell me to bring it in once I have gotten the car shut off it stops acting crazy I start it up and it goes back to normal. I take it to ford where they say there is nothing wrong with the car. The next day I am out with my kids after work and it starts again, it is vibrating really hard throwing codes onto the screen and wont accelerate, so I pull over and Video tape this whole incident. This car clearly has something wrong with it. I take it directly to ford. They find out it is a throttle position sensor. They replace it the car runs fine until yesterday. Almost a year later. The last thing happened the week of thanksgiving. The car keeps acting like the battery is dead. Just out of the blue. I will turn it off and all I get is CLICK CLICK CLICK. You can not even get to the battery properly to actually jump it. Some guys helped me while me and my children were stranded in a weigles parking lot. They couldnt get to the ground post or negative post, only the positive post. They hooked to the positive post and then used the negative one on anything else under the hood. The car started, I took it home parked it and left it running. Then I shut it off got in it and drove it back out to get ice as we are taking a trip (the last time the car malfunctioned we were going to take it on a trip and decided it was too dangerous to use on a long road trip pretty sad when you got a new car and wont take it out on a trip). I get out to get the ice, I shut the car off thinking it would be fine.. nope stuck again. Guys helped me jump it again.. got it on the road took it home where this morning it didnt start so I had to use an older car to get to work... it is funny how my husbands 12 years old truck has never given him a day of trouble. Neither has his 4 year old truck.. but my brand new car has been a lemon and we do not take it on long trips due to the fact it is a hazard for ourselves and our children.

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  Trading in - 2005 Ford Escape
  By Trading in - January 16 - 9:55 am

  We bought a 2005 XLD AWD Escape used in March 05 with 17,000 miles on it. As others have written, we have had problems filling up the gas tank. Gas nozzle keeps shutting off which drives my husband nuts. Started having problems with the brakes at about 50K. Mechanic replaced tires, rotated tires and put on new brake pads which solved the problem for only a little while. It probably needs new rotors, but at only 2 yrs old with 57K miles on it and 3 years left on the loan, we decided to trade it in for an older car with less miles that we could pay off sooner at $100 less/month. Overall though, this was a good car, preformed very well in the snow with the smart AWD but hard on gas.

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  Not bad but needs improvements - 2005 Ford Escape
  By Nolan - January 12 - 10:33 pm

  I bought this 05 XLT AWD 3.0L with 25000 miles on it and its been very good on road and off road whether its snow or mud. Ive read alot of complaints about noise level of tires, I cant say I agree I find it very quiet with the OEM tires on it. I installed a K&N air filter which gave me on average a noticeable increase on fuel mileage per tank.

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  Excellent choice - 2001 Ford Escape
  By Deanna Barker - January 10 - 3:17 pm

  Purchased the Ford Escape in October 2001. Had been a loyal GM buyer for years. Will be trading my 2001 Escape for a 2008 in the spring. Would not think of buying anything else. Vehicle has over 80,000 miles on it and has only been in the shop once for repairs and a couple times for recalls. The most dependable vehicle I have ever owned.