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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  Transmission Defect - 2016 Ford Escape
  By Betty - February 17 - 3:06 pm

  My Model is the 2016 Escape Titanium FWD (front, not 4-wheel) 2.0 L GTDI Echoboost Engine 6-SPD Selectshift Auto Trans, with a sticker price of $33,624.99. There is a bad "shudder" in the transmission which is felt and heard when going from reverse to drive. My dealer says, after I had it in for repair 2 times, once for 4 days, "Ford Motors is aware if this ISSUE in these models. However, they are not authorizing any repairs at this time", giving me no time frame as to when a solution might be found. I only have 1200 miles on this vehicle, and owned it for less than 90 days. My dealer (Sanders Ford, Jacksonville, NC) is offering me no solution, buy back, or promise that I might be broken down on highway or what this means for my investment. Service manager referred me to the Ford Hotline Consumer line to "open a case" on my particular vehicle, this was more of the same run around that it will be fixed as soon as the engineers come up with a solution. Then told me to try coming to a complete stop and very slowly take off, and I wouldnt feel the "shudder", which I loved being told to drive it differently to accommodate their defect. I am livid with Ford Motors, and the dealership who is still selling these 2016 Escapes right now from their showrooms and lots. Are they telling buyers today that there is an "Issue" with the transmission ? Did they know of this issue when they sold me mine ? Cannot get a timeframe on how long they knew of this issue, but know I bought one of the first 2016s from Sanders Ford. Looks like I am stuck with this vehicle and at their mercy, but I surely am going to spread the word about not being told and it having a warranty that they will not or cannot use to repair transmission. Next step is going to be the BBB in our area for misrepresentation of this new vehicle, sold with a known defect. Apparently, this "Hot Line" is just a drop box for these issues until they get enough complaints, then they issue recalls. Meantime their unsuspecting buyers/customers are making payments on something that may or may not be dependable. Ford had a "better idea" so they thought, about the Pinto, which they put people off for so long that many people were burned to death..then they recalled ! Think they would learn. Dont think I will ever be happy with this car, no matter how it ends, and will never buy another Ford.

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  Ford Escape 2015 New Flooded - 2016 Ford Escape
  By Jerri Manning - December 9 - 6:21 pm

  Purchased car new in May. I am long-term Ford customer. Car FLOODED due to defect in front windshield. Ford will not replace or to buy back program after copious amounts of water was in this vehicle. Will not recommend to anyone due to Ford seems to feel that this is not a serious issue. I did not want a vehicle I purchased new 5 months ago to have a history of flooding.

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  $30,000 Piece of Crap! - 2016 Ford Escape
  By Scott Wojtas - November 12 - 2:28 pm

  After doing a bunch of research on my next car, having grown up in a family of Fords and previously owning a Mustang; I decided to go with the Escape. Alot of what I wanted was based on the technology aspect as I installed an aftermarket radio that supported Apple CarPlay, which only came with Ford Sync 3 on titanium models. Day after Labor Day 2016, I found a 2016 titanium CPO with what I wanted and thought I had a great deal. Only to experience nothing but problems with the Bluetooth connectivity, drivers side wind noise, and noises from the undercarriage as I accelerate/stop/make turns. I took it back to dealer to resolve the issues as I was still under warranty. The door was adjusted, a part was ordered for the shocks, yet they couldnt replicate the Sync 3 issues that I had documented with video. The service guy was a jag and didnt care to see the videos I had. After that experience, I contacted Ford Customer Care and basically told me that the dealership is their "eyes and ears" and that they have to see it happen. So they said to drive right in next time the issues happen. So what happens when Im driving at night and the glitch happens and the service dept is not open?? I found another dealership closer to home, that was able to do a software update from 1.0 to 1.1 which didnt resolve my issues and still didnt give me the Apple Car play, one of the main reason I bought the car. On top of this, I found a crack in the windshield that I had to pay out of pocket to replace as it did not meet my deductible. As for the radio, it doesnt seem to work right as every couple days i have "reset" the console. Had I known I would be having these problems, I wouldve never bought the car in the first place. Ford continues to lie, and cheat its customers. Promising updates and then not following through. All I want at this point, is for them to replace the radio, as I documented with video the glitches, yet they want stand by their product. And thats why this will be my last Ford.

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  Horror Movie Lemon Law - 2016 Ford Escape
  By Blong2+ - November 7 - 10:29 am

  I was sad to see that someone else had a Ford 2016 Escape that cut off going down the road. Mine also said going down the road at 60 miles per hour that "the car was not in Park". Mine went a little further when all the screens went black and the window washers came on. I also recorded this with my phone. The SUV stopped working several times and I took it to different dealerships. None could find out what was wrong. Each gave me a car to drive while it was being worked on. After the Horror Movie response I refused to get back into that car. I tried to find out what to do to invoke the Lemon Law. None of the dealerships had given me any of the paperwork, without the paperwork no attorney could help me. I had a case manager at Ford but that is just a pacifier to keep me quiet. The dealership required that I take the Horror Movie Car back which I refused so they sold me another Ford 2016 Escape with penalties for high mileage on the next car. I am now $10K upside down in the car. Customer service is a real joke. Attorneys can not help you without the paperwork trail that I had asked for each time Service agents at 3 dealerships said since I did not pay for the service and that it was a Warranty job that I did not need the papers.

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  Never Again a Ford - 2017 Ford Escape
  By Leo - November 16 - 7:50 am

  Stay Away! It broke down completely, no lights, no engine no nothing with a grand total of less than 15oo miles on it. The first payment isnt even due and I have to get it towed to the dealer. Ford Road side Assistance-- Ive been waiting for them for almost three hours.

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  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.

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  The unreliable Ford - 2003 Ford Escape
  By Rob - June 9 - 4:57 pm

  As soon as my warrenty expired my ford fell apart. First it was a 3300 $transmission, then 1500$ rebuilding the front end, then the wheel cencers for 1000$, then the driveshaft bearing 500$, and now ford says it needs a new transfer gear box for 5000$! This car is unreliable, and constanly breaks down. i could have got a better car with the money I have spent fixing this one.

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  The unreliable Ford - 2003 Ford Escape
  By Rob - June 9 - 4:57 pm

  As soon as my warrenty expired my ford fell apart. First it was a 3300 $transmission, then 1500$ rebuilding the front end, then the wheel cencers for 1000$, then the driveshaft bearing 500$, and now ford says it needs a new transfer gear box for 5000$! This car is unreliable, and constanly breaks down. i could have got a better car with the money I have spent fixing this one.