We put the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine in the Escape SEL through its paces. This vehicle can effortlessly weave through traffic and accelerate to highway speeds thanks to the powerful engine. Our Escape completed the 0-60 mph sprint in 6.9 seconds during Edmunds’ testing, outperforming the majority of competing compact SUVs with an improved engine.
The eight-speed automatic transmission’s upshifts can be abrupt and it shifts slowly. Similar to upshifts, downshifts provide several little shocks as you descend. When the Escape restarts the engine as you let off the brake, even the engine stop-start mechanism annoys the driver. Everything seems really crude, and Ford ought to have rectified it before putting the Escape on the market.
Fuel Economy
The 2.0-liter turbocharged Escape has a combined fuel economy rating of 26 mpg (23 city/31 highway). This compact SUV outperforms all others thanks to its improved engines. Although the projections are excellent, our test vehicle’s actual fuel efficiency was below average. Over 187 miles of driving, we averaged 20.2 mpg while largely traveling at city speeds and with little traffic.
Interior
The Escape’s cabin is well-designed and practical. The major controls are conveniently located, and understanding the buttons on the steering wheel is simple. Additionally, the Sync 3 touchscreen interface is responsive and easy to use. The rising beltline in the back just slightly obstructs the commanding outlook from the driver’s seat. It’s simple to get the optimum position thanks to the seat’s many adjustments. The door armrests are a little too small, which is a drawback.
There is plenty of space everywhere, and the front seatbacks’ deeply contoured design gives rear passengers plenty of knee room. On versions with the panoramic sunroof, particularly tall back passengers may not have enough headroom.
Comfortability
The front seats have a nice form and a good quantity of padding. The back seats are extremely cozy and give adults a good degree of thigh support. The front passenger in our SEL test car had rudimentary controls, but the Titanium adds a power-adjustable seat, which is unusual for this class of vehicle.The Escape has a smooth and collected ride both in town and on the highway. At speed, it is likewise pretty quiet, with road noise being the main source of background noise. On a hot day, the automated climate control system provides less ventilation than you might anticipate. Unlike competitors, none of the trims provide heated or ventilated front seats.
Storage
The Escape’s cargo space measures 33.5 cubic feet, which is typical for the segment. We appreciate the low floor and tall seatbacks, which give you plenty of vertical storage space before luggage obstructs your view to the back of the vehicle. Although the back seats cannot be folded flat, the outboard seat belts may be released from their seat holsters to provide a path for loading freight.
With roomy door pockets in the rear and huge cubbies in the front, inside storage is substantially greater. Anti-tip tabs are present on every cupholder, which is unusual for this vehicle class. It’s simple to load a kid safety seat thanks to the readily available car-seat hooks and tethers and the spacious back seat.
The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine in the Escape can tow up to 3,500 pounds.There are no difficulties getting into or out of the Escape other than the lofty doorsills
Technology
The infotainment system on the Ford Escape is outstanding. When a point-of-interest search returns many places, the navigation system is simple to use, quick to respond, and displays directional information (such as a Starbucks is 1 mile ahead or 0.5 mile to the left). The six speakers deliver crystal-clear music and powerful bass, which is outstanding for a base system. However, smartphone integration is a little underwhelming. There aren’t many USB connections to charge your electronics, and not every Escape is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The majority of the driving aids are commonplace and function adequately.