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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  Dont buy this car - 2004 Ford Escape
  By Teena - January 6 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Escape in the shop 6 times in the first two months that Ive owned it! Ive had problems with the starter on 3 occasions. The radio, after 6 service visits, loses channels. The service dept found the radio defective, the antennae defective and a loose wire in the starter. Fuel economy is horrible. Even with driving it conservatively, It only gets 15 mpg.

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  Excellant - 2004 Ford Escape
  By TBro - January 6 - 2:00 am

  Love the way it handles, has great pickup for a 6 cyl. Nice ride!

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  My Ford Escape 2004 - 2004 Ford Escape
  By John Brown - January 5 - 11:19 pm

  More then I expected. Ride is great. Power for a 6 cylinder is more then you need. Room in the interior is a lot more then I expected. Handles with ease. My wife loves the car. I am very happy with the choice of suv we have made. I would recomend looking & driving one to anyone who is looking to purchase a suv.

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  Cant Cruise Around All You Want - 2008 Ford Escape
  By allysmom - January 4 - 11:06 pm

  I love this SUV! This is my first vehicle purchase. I was driving a 93 Suburban, and this is a great improvement! Great gas mileage, love the interior. Only problems I have had, was, I wasnt aware you needed to ask if a vehicle came with cruise control, I just thought it was a standard feature. I mean, it came with the Stability Control System, but no cruise control. That would have been a selling point for me. Also I was sold the vehicle as a 6 CD player, but it is only a single, no biggie, but why the need for a load button if you can only do one CD at a time?

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  I Love my Ford Escape - 2004 Ford Escape
  By Ford Escape - January 2 - 3:41 pm

  I have had my Escape XLT 4WD since January 2004. I have not had any problems what so ever. It snowed 4" the week I brought my Escape I work 35 miles from my residence I had no problem getting to and from work. I drove my Escape from Temple Hills, MD to Ft. Lauderdale, FL over 1400 milles one-way no problem, I love the the take- off speed of my Escape even though its an SUV its very light so the take-off is excellent. My Escape is roomy and the gas mileage is excellent I work 35 miles from my home I fill up once on Sunday and once on Thursday I get great gas mileage. My husband owns the Ford Explorer XLS 1999 its burns more gas so we usually drive the Escape since the gas prices are high.

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  Live in my car - 2004 Ford Escape
  By VISTING NURSE - January 2 - 2:37 pm

  The pick-up is great in a go situation- It handles great, is perfect for my type of job--I’m in it 5 days a week, in and out-stop and go-I practically live in my Escape 45 hrs a week.

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  Bad Engine - 2002 Ford Escape
  By Ed Monk - January 2 - 11:28 am

  I was a fan of this vehicle until the engine self-destructed at 47,000 miles, by throwing a rod and tearing apart the engine. And this after buying it new and changing the oil every 3,000 miles, like clockwork. When I pay over $20k for a new car, I expect over 50,000 miles and 3 years out of the car.

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  escape - 2004 Ford Escape
  By layne - December 27 - 11:52 pm

  have really enjoyed the ford escape. bought for wife to drive because we needed room for two car seats side by side. has worked out great. power from the v6 has been amazing. the ride is great. easy to get in and out. i really love this vehicle.

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  ReVamp Design Surprise! - 2018 Ford Escape
  By Ru2bsi - December 26 - 10:19 pm

  We never thought wed be in an ESCAPE, EVER, not in this life or next - we hated the boring look and basic utilitarian styling. Except now, we noticed in late 2017 that the styling had changed, something very stylish yet easy on the eyes. But it was a ford, how great could it be, would we have irrepairible GEM Module Problems of years past?? Whats with the app FORD PASS?! Now this is a significant improvement over is competitors!! The more we mulled over it, the more we finally realized it was revamped enough for us to take notice and if it had GEM Module problems, we would definitely take it back (the warranty had improved!). All kidding aside, we have finally entered a new era of FORD Vehicles - after all, they would not be in business if their vehicles quality never improved. For the record, we owned 1996 Explorer and a 1994 Ranger --Ford came back and was finally a contender in our books, the quality had improved. We are the typical BMW & MBZ drivers we moved from a sporty number inline 4 - MBZ CLA-250. Heres what we knew we wanted...a SUV with similar "quality of drive" with same type of engine & power plus techie stuff that was lacking in the MBZ. Little did we know that for the same price of the GLA-250 base, we could get more space and techie things -- we never knew we needed (i.e. backup camera, more proximity sensors that we didnt know we needed, rear door foot sensor opener, & rear seat reading lights? - who knew?) Though the initially the differences were short on the base model escape. We gained creature comforts and more tech than what we had in the MBZ for the price. We found ALL of that in the Escape Titanium is smaller than the GLC - but so is its pricing >20k). Only a couple real downsides: #1 are the bucket seats - not quite as ergonomically comfortable as the MBZ, seats are more "truck-like" than crossover type seats and #2 touch screen, some of the UI (User Interface is a bit tricky) - but once again, it won us over -- it just takes some getting used to (options, audio set-up, functionality, etc).

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  My new baby - 2004 Ford Escape
  By Heather MacDonald - December 26 - 10:00 am

  This is my first SUV vehicle and I have always had sports cars but this vehicle has been a great addition to my household. It is quick, handles well, is easy to drive and is extremely comfortable. I can fit an amazing amount of stuff and am glad I did not buy a larger SUV. I absolutely love it!