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:

• 

  My Dream vehicle! - 2008 Ford Escape
  By Canadian eh! - August 28 - 7:40 pm

  I love this vehicle! I traded in my 04 Escape 2WD base vehicle that I absolutely came to hate after 2 winters. Dont buy a 2wd Escape if you get snow or ice weather! Spend the money and get the 4WD/AWD, you wont regret it. Since purchasing this vehicle, I have driven in snow storms with confidence (not over-confidence) and it handles amazing. It grips the road and snow and sticks and I even tried to make the tires spin! It handles very smooth, quiet on the highway, is peppy. I find it comfy to sit in and drive. The gas mileage is good for an SUV and handles much like a car. The control panel takes a little getting used to since there are a lot of buttons, but you get used to it.

• 

  My Ford Escape - 2003 Ford Escape
  By dolejnic - August 23 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive, needs a bigger gas tank and pads on the armrests. Besides that it is an awesome SUV. Had a jeep b 4 this and this is much better in the snow.

• 

  New Escape Rocks! - 2013 Ford Escape
  By rf9928 - August 10 - 3:01 pm

  Fantastic vehicle! Acceleration is quick and very responsive, leather seats are very comfortable, has every feature one could ever want in a car right now and also has good gas mileage. Ford Touch has worked great for the moment and I havent had any issues like I read about. Hopefully that will continue. I really dont have any complaints at the moment.

• 

  1 Thing in Common with 2012 & earlier Ford Escape - 2011 Ford Escape
  By Sue - August 9 - 7:53 pm

  I want a pre-owned mid sized SUV and the Ford Escape came highly recommended. I dont like the look of the newer midsize SUVs or crossovers or hatchbacks. I prefer the more boxy look. Ive done test drives & love the Escapes. Dont want a car. Mid size, older SUV is perfect for me. Have gone to dealerships and looked and have stopped to look at Escapes in parking lots or parked on streets. Out of about 18 Escapes 2012 and earlier I looked at or test drove, all but 2 had 1 major problem in common----premature RUST! I was soooooo disappointed. I had my heart set on the 2012 or older Escape. There should not be so much rust consistently on a vehicle only 6 years old. My 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee (19 yrs old) is just now showing rust and that was my fault. I dont want to get a used vehicle starting out with a problem that will quickly get worse. Now I have to start my search again with other particular makes already eliminated. When I think about it, weve had a Ford F-150 and a F-250 and both rusted prematurely and once it started, very quickly. Without the rust problem Id buy the right Escape in a heartbeat.

• 

  Lacks Comfort - 2002 Ford Escape
  By walk_texas - August 8 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle does not have the comfort level to go with its price. A four hour drive in this vehicle amounts to tortore.

• 

  Decent car but nothing special - 2017 Ford Escape
  By Ron - August 7 - 10:34 pm

  This is my review of the SE edition with 4wd, only other options are heated seats and remote start. Have only owned this car for about a month so I cant comment on long term reliability, but so far, it rides decent enough and theres no squeaks or rattles. I like the styling inside and out, and I have the base engine, but for my purposes, it gets the job done. If you want zoom zoom, get a bigger engine in this car. Esacape, in my opinion, is not a family hauler, its more of a 1 or 2 person car as the rear seat legroom is anemic to say the least (e.g. you have to push a button to fold down the headrest on the rear seat so you can fold down the back seatback to put more stuff in it, or the headrest will hit the front seat. Really Ford? This is an SUV, not a Ford Focus. Another major issue (to me), is the really foolish eco mode which turns off the engine when you fully stop, say at a stop sign, then restarts the engine when you take your foot off the brake. You can turn this mode off by pushing a button, but the default mode is on, so you have to push the button every time you drive the car to turn it off. Apparently Ford likes to annoy its customers. Everyone I have talked to who owns a Ford with this mode, says they dont want it, and shut it off (even an employee at the Ford dealer where I bought my car :-). Also, this mode has to put xtra wear and tear on your starter and battery. The cruise control buttons should swap places with the display controls for gas mileage, etc. would be easier to see and use. And the heater/air conditioning controls, well, theres way too many buttons, this could have been simplified. The backup camera screen is rather small, and recessed into the dash too far, this doesnt affect me, because I really dont use the backup camera very much. My wifes Equinox is bigger than the Escape, has more back seat room and rides much better over bumps and has a bigger backup camera screen. As far as Sync is concerned (this car doesnt have sync 3), I dont use a cell phone with it so I cant comment on that part of it, but I did put around 2.5k mp3s on a USB stick and hook it up. The voice commands leave a lot to be desired with a USB stick. Mainly, the commands it recognizes are few and far between, and the parser/search engine is rather rudimentary. For instance, I told Sync to play the song Pretty Woman. After searching, it came up with the Van Halen song, but not the Roy Orbison song whos title is Oh Pretty Woman. I should have recognized that Pretty woman was part of the title and gave the option as to which I wanted. And also, Sync doesnt recognize folders, and all my songs are neatly organized In folders, so that doesnt work, so I simply have to resort to searching for the folder I want with the buttons. You have to pay $1400 to upgrade to SYNC 3 (with other options in a package), or buy the Titanium edition which costs 5k more. You can get a 9 inch touchscreen with wifi in almost all Chevys as standard equipment??? I still like the Escape, but it has its shortcomings. BTW, im 70years old, and have owned many new cars. They all have their good features, and their faults. I think they made the escape a little too small, and went overboard on Eco mode, which looks to me like a gimmick. Time to update this review after going through the winter months. The 4 wheel drive system works well in the snow and slush, much better than the front wheel drive vehicle it replaced. Dont believe what you may read on certain web sites that all that matters is having winter tires on a vehicle (that would make it better though), the 4 wheel drive or an all wheel drive does make a difference in starts,stops and handling in snow or slush. On ice, nothing will help that much except chains or studded tires which are not allowed on highways anymore. However, this Escape is abysmal when it comes to riding over rough, rutted urban roads. You feel every bump, and the car tends to rock from side to side when going over ruts, not very pleasant. My wifes Equinox has a much smoother ride over the same kind of conditions. Seems when buying a vehicle, you either get a smooth ride, or better handling/cornering so it depends on your priorities. Another winter thing: I have a factory installed remote start, and it starts fine with the remote, however, it doesnt default to the heater settings you had when you turned the car off. I leave the front window defroster on to de-ice the windshield and warm the car interior when using the remote start, and it does warm the car, but the front vents do not go to the windshield. When I get in the car and turn on the key, the heat does go to the windshield. Who buys a remote start for the winter months and doesnt want their windshield cleared of ice or fog? This is one of the 2 main reasons for having it in the first place! Poor implementation by Ford.

• 

  If your serious about Sirius/xm radio, forget it - 2016 Ford Escape
  By Jeanette hurt - August 5 - 2:58 pm

  Ford will not fix the Sirius/xm radio problem. So, after 6 months we traded it in for a Jeep Chakee

• 

  Love my Esacpe - 2002 Ford Escape
  By Gary Strickland - August 4 - 10:40 pm

  We have 7000 miles on our 2002 Escape, and have enjoyed putting every mile on it. Love the height of the seats, and the firmness.

• 

  my thoughts - 2004 Ford Escape
  By tmmone - August 4 - 2:00 am

  second escape and loving it

• 

  Ford Escape - 2004 Ford Escape
  By bamf - July 31 - 10:00 am

  Love this vehicle, it has very good handling, pickup and interior space. Id definitely purchase another one.