2020 Ford Escape

The base variant is only available in the FWD configuration while the other 3 Trims can be had in either an FWD or an AWD setup. Three Engines on offer are -a 2.5L Naturally Aspirated I-4 unit on the base S trim, a 1.5L turbocharged  I-4 unit on the SE and SEL trims and a powerful 2.0L Turbocharged  I-4 unit on the Titanium trim.

The 2020 Ford Escape comes in 4 well-defined trim levels namely; the S, SE, SEL, and Titanium. 3 Engines are on duty for powering different trims. All trims except the base S gets the option of an AWD drive train.

Trims	S	SE	SEL	Titanium
Price(2WD)	$24,105(2.5L)	$26,500(1.5L Turbo)	$28,445(1.5L Turbo)	$32,620(2.0L Turbo)
Price(AWD)	-	$28,995(1.5L Turbo)	$30,940(1.5L Turbo)	$35,115(2.0L Turbo)
Features	Cloth Upholstery	Adds/Upgrades these from “S” Trim	Adds/Upgrades these from “SE” Trim	Adds/Upgrades these from ‘SEL”
	6 Way Manually Adjustable Driver Seat	10 Way Power Adjusted Driver Seat	Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel, Gear Knob, Seats	Auto-Dimming Rear-View mirror
	Rear View Camera and Ford My Key	Push Button Start	LED Headlamps Accent	Bi-Xenon Headlights with LED Accents
	1 USB Port	Remote Start	Rear Parking Sensors	Heated Steering
	4.2” SYNC Infotainment System with Voice Activation	8” SYNC Touchscreen Infotainment System with Satellite Radio	Foot Activated Powered Liftgate	10 Speaker Sony Audio System with Navigation System
	6 Speaker Audio System	Dual Zone Climate Control		Autonomous Parallel Parking
	17” Wheels with Wheel Covers	17” Aluminum Wheels		19” Aluminum Wheels
	Power Windows	Fog Lamps	Heated Outside Mirrors	Automatic Start-Stop
		Apple Car Play and Android Auto		Power Adjust Passenger Seat

The 2.0L Ecoboost Engine is the most powerful engine among the 3 options but is only exclusive to the Top Titanium trim.

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The SE trim adds a lot of creature comforts with a potent engine that does not sacrifice on performance. For people who want a more powerful engine and a feature-loaded SUV, the Titanium trim should be their choice.

With snappy engine response and strong braking and handling, the Escape feels more like a sport sedan than a touring crossover–Edmunds.com

Engine and Transmission

The 2020 Ford Escape comes in 3 Engine configurations with the 2.0L EcoBoost motor being the most powerful unit of all the 3 available units.The base 2.5L naturally aspirated motor just about gets the job done and offers performance which suits the price at which it is being sold.

The 1.5L EcoBoost is the second engine on offer that delivers 179hp @ 6000 rpm and 177 pounds-feet of torque beginning from as low as 2500 rpm. This engine comes with the SE and the SEL trims and can be had in both FWD and AWD configurations. The engine delivers good punch past the 2500 rpm mark and makes overtaking maneuvers a bit easier than the base variant.

For people who want the Best in terms of Power and Performance, have the option to go for the powerful 2.0L EcoBoost turbocharged engine that delivers a massive 245hp and 275 lbs-ft of torque.

Models	Ford Escape S	Chevrolet Equinox L	Mazda CX-5 Sport	Volkswagen Tiguan S	Honda CR-V LX	Hyundai Santa Fe SE	Kia Sorento L	Nissan Rogue S	GMC Terrain SL	Mitsubishi Outlander ES	Subaru Forester 2.5i
MSRP	$25,100	$24,795	$25,345	$25,190	$25,345	$26,545	$26,980	$25,795	$26,195	$25,690	$24,295
Engine	2.5L i4 Regular Unleaded	1.5L I4 Turbocharged	2.5L I4	2.0L I4 Intercooled TSI	2.4L I4 i-VTEC	2.4L I4	2.4L I4	2.5L i4	1.5L i4 Turbo Gas/Ethanol	2.4L i4	2.5L Flat 4
Transmission	6 Speed automatic	6 Speed automatic	6 Speed automatic	8 Speed automatic	CVT	8 Speed automatic	6 Speed automatic	CVT	9 Speed automatic	Continuously variable automatic	CVT
Horsepower	168 hp@ 6000rpm	170hp@ 5600rpm	187hp@ 6000rpm	184hp@ 4400rpm	184hp@ 6400rpm	185hp@ 6000rpm	185hp@ 6000rpm	170hp@ 6000rpm	170hp@ 5600rpm	166 hp@ 6000rpm	182hp@ 5800 rpm
Torque	170 lbs-ft @ 4500rpm	203 lbs-ft @ 2000rpm	186 lbs-ft @ 4000rpm	221 lbs-ft @ 1600 rpm	180lbs-ft  @ 3900rpm	178 lbs-ft @ 4000rpm	178 lbs-ft @ 4000rpm	175 lbs-ft @ 4400rpm	203 lbs-ft @ 2000rpm	162 lbs-ft @ 4200rpm	176 lbs-ft @ 4400rpm

A 6-speed automatic transmission comes mated to all the 3 Engine options. The transmission does well in shifting gears at the right moments during hill climbs or tackling city traffic. We do however feel the need for a better transmission for the 2.0L Engine variant as that would have doubled the fun of driving the same, especially on the highway.

Acceleration

Despite its high curb weight, the Ford Escape Manages to outrun nearly all of its rivals, in the 0-60 sprint. The Ford’s aerodynamic design and powerful motor help it, achieve the 60 MPH figure in just 7.1secs.

Models	Ford Escape S	Chevrolet Equinox L	Mazda CX-5 Sport	Volkswagen Tiguan S	Honda CR-V LX	Hyundai Santa Fe SE	Kia Sorento L	Nissan Rogue S	GMC Terrain SL	Mitsubishi Outlander ES	Subaru Forester 2.5i
0-60 MPH	7.1 sec	6.3 sec	6.4 sec	8.7 sec	7.2 sec	7.7 sec	8.9 sec	7.3 sec	6.4 sec	6.8 sec	9.6 sec
Quarter mile	16.7 sec	15.1 sec	15.5 sec	16.7 sec	16.7 sec	16 sec	16.7 sec	16.8 sec	16.1 sec	15.4 sec	17.3 sec
Engine	2.5L i4	1.5L I4	2.5L I4	2.0L I4 Intercooled	2.4L I4 i-VTEC	2.4L I4	2.4L I4	2.5L i4	1.5L i4 Turbocarged	2.4L i4	2.5L Flat 4
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	7.3	6.5	6.3	6.3	7.7	N/A	N/A	N/A	6.1	N/A	N/A

The compact Chevrolet Equinox, with its low weight and powerful engine, manages to top the chart of 0-60 MPH runs while its sister car, the GMC Terrain manages to stay second courtesy of similar design and performance.

Ride and Handling

The Ford Escape lays down the benchmark for its class in terms of handling dynamics. The Escape manages to tame corners like a sporty hatch and offers a lot of confidence coming out of them with minimal body roll. The straight-line stability is fantastic as well and there is very little buffeting while doing high speeds at the motorways.

The ride quality has not been compromised for sporty handling. The suspension absorbs bumps with ease and moving over speed humps won’t cause much trouble to the passengers sitting inside.

Braking

The engineers at Ford have worked hard on improving the braking performance of the 2020 Escape after the 2018 model received a lot of flak for the same. The brake rotor size has improved over its predecessor and some improvements have been made in the manner the brakes dissipate brakes.

Models	Ford Escape S	Chevrolet Equinox L	Mazda CX-5 Sport	Volkswagen Tiguan S	Honda CR-V LX	Hyundai Santa Fe SE	Kia Sorento L	Nissan Rogue S	GMC Terrain SL	Mitsubishi Outlander ES	Subaru Forester 2.5i
Brake Front (in.)	12.8	11.6	N/A	11.7	13.4	11.1	12.6	12.6	11.7	11.6	11.8
Brake Rear (in.)	12	11.9	N/A	11.9	11.8	10.2	12	12	11.5	11.2	11.3
60-0 MPH (ft.)	112	3329	115	136	N/A	115	130	N/A	N/A	130	129

The improvements have ensured that the Ford Escape now ranks among the top in terms of braking performance in the segment. The Honda CR-V  still sits at the top half with the Chevrolet Equinox in braking while the other competition still has some ground to cover.

While the Ford Escape thrills with its performance and handling, its gas economy doesn’t deliver the same level of thrills. The Ford delivers the lowest MPG rating in this comparison by 1 MPG as compared to its nearest rival.

Models	Ford Escape S	Chevrolet Equinox L	Mazda CX-5 Sport	Volkswagen Tiguan S	Honda CR-V LX	Hyundai Santa Fe SE	Kia Sorento L	Nissan Rogue S	GMC Terrain SL	Mitsubishi Outlander ES	Subaru Forester 2.5i
MPG (city)	21	25	26	25	22	26	22	22	26	26	26
MPG (highway)	29	30	32	31	29	32	29	29	33	32	30
MPG (combined)	24	27	28	28	25	28	25	25	29	28	28
Range (city/highway) (miles)	330/455	415/498	387 / 477	370 / 459	337 / 444	364 / 448	414 / 545	414 / 545	377 / 479	387.4/447	431.6/547.8
Tank Capacity (gal)	15.7	16.6	14.9	14.8	15.3	14.0	18.8	18.8	14.5	14.9	14.9

In terms of range though, the 15.7-gallon gas tank ranks on the top half of this comparison and helps it deliver a decent overall range of 330 miles on the city.

With easy entry and exit and a high driving perch, the Escape feels and drives smaller than it looks. That's a good thing– Edmunds.com

Seating and Comfort

The Ford Escape offers a lot of features and creature comforts starting from the base variant and increases, as you climb up the trim ladder. The base S trim gets 6-way manual seats while Escape SE gets 10-way control seats. 

Models	Ford Escape S	Chevrolet Equinox L	Mazda CX-5 Sport	Volkswagen Tiguan S	Honda CR-V LX	Hyundai Santa Fe SE	Kia Sorento L	Nissan Rogue S	GMC Terrain SL	Mitsubishi Outlander ES	Subaru Forester 2.5i
Passenger capacity	5	7	5	5	7	5	5	7	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.9/55.9/43.1	40.6/56.4/40.9	40.0/57.2/40.9	39.7/57.1/41.0	39.6/57.0/40.2	40.1/57.9/41.3	41.2/59.1/44.1	39.5/59.1/44.1	41.6/56.6/43.0	41.2/58.2/43.3	40.0/57.2/40.9
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.0/55.2/37.3	38.4/56.0/37.3	38.5/55.5/39.7	39.0/54.8/39.6	39.1/55.9/36.5	39.2/55.6/40.4	39.2/58.3/40.9	39.3/58.0/39.4	38.5/55.9/37.9	39.6/57.2/39.4	38.5/55.6/39.7

The Escape can seat up to five passengers. The front passengers are treated to liberal legroom and well-bolstered seats. The back seats offer decent headroom but the legroom seems compromised and appears cramped for grown-ups.

Infotainment System

Ford has updated the infotainment system of the 2020 Escape to keep pace with the competition. The 2020 Ford Escape comes with Ford’s SYNC 3 Infotainment System. The base trim feels underequipped against the competition as the base gets a non-touchscreen 4.2” infotainment display while the competition offers a Touchscreen Unit. Higher trims, however, get a more feature-loaded system that ranks among the best in class.

These are the list of Features available from the infotainment system of the 2020 Ford Escape

• Android Auto and Apple Car Play Compatibility
• 8” Touchscreen Infotainment System with Navigation
• SiriusXM Radio Subscription
• 10 Speaker SONY Audio System
• FM/AM Radio connectivity
• Dual Zone Climate Control System
• Bluetooth Telephony and Connectivity to Multiple devices
• HD Radio

Cargo Capacity

The 2020 Ford Escape offers a respectable amount of space in the cargo. The Escape can seat only 5 people and space behind the rear seats is copious for carrying maximum cargo.

Models	Ford Escape S	Chevrolet Equinox L	Mazda CX-5 Sport	Volkswagen Tiguan S	Honda CR-V LX	Hyundai Santa Fe SE	Kia Sorento L	Nissan Rogue S	GMC Terrain SL	Mitsubishi Outlander ES	Subaru Forester 2.5i
Cargo Volume (ft.3)	34.0	10.3	29.9	30.9	37.6	39.2	35.9	11.3	39.3	35.4	29.6

The Nissan Rogue’s practical cabin and big exteriors help it beat the rest in terms of cargo space while the Honda CR-V comes in a close second.

 

Interior Features

The Spacious Interiors of the Ford Escape has some good set of features inside. Though some of the features are not standard people willing to shell out a little bit of extra cash will reap the benefits of doing the same. These are some of the features offered in the Interiors of the Ford

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Blind Spot Monitoring System
• Auto-Dimming Rear-View Mirror
• Ambient Lighting
• Automatic Start-Stop System
• Power Adjustable Front Seats
• Keyless Access with Push Button Start
• Dual Zone Climate Control
• Leather Seats and Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel

Still taut and sleek from the outside, the Escape drops all SUV pretense with its fast roofline and lower ride height–TheCarconnection.com

Design and Dimensions

The 2018 Ford Escape exteriors scream sportiness from the moment you first see it. The exterior shell flaunts Aston Martin-like front grille (signature of modern fords) and numerous tight lines visible from the side profile the makes the SUV feel like it has been carefully made and tested in an aerodynamic tunnel. The Rear End looks similar to other SUV’s of the segment while the Skid plates on the Rear Bumper adds to the “Tough” feel of the SUV.

Model	Ford Escape S suv	Mitsubishi Outlander ES suv	Chevrolet Equinox L suv	Mazda CX-5 SPORT suv	Volkswagen Tiguan S suv	Honda CR-V LX suv	Hyundai Santa Fe SE suv	Kia Sorento L suv	Nissan Rogue S suv	GMC Terrain SL suv	Subaru Forester suv
Curb weight (lbs.)	3552	3329	3274	3541	3721	3307	3591	3810	3456	3449	3499
Length(in)	178.1	184.8	183.1	179.1	185.1	180.6	187.8	189.0	184.5	182.1	182.3
Width(in)	72.4	71.3	72.6	72.5	72.4	73.0	74.4	74.4	72.4	71.5	72.4
Height(in)	66.3	67.3	65.4	66.2	66.3	66.1	66.1	66.3	66.3	68.1	65.4
Ground clearance (in)	7.8	8.5	N/A	7.5	7.9	7.8	N/A	7.3	7.8	8.7	6.9
Wheelbase (in)	105.9	105.1	107.3	106.2	109.8	104.7	108.9	109.4	106.5	105.1	107.3
Track width (in) F/R	61.5/61.6	60.6/60.6	62.2/62.2	62.8/62.8	62.2/61.8	62.9/63.5	64.3/64.7	64.3/64.7	62.8/62.8	61.6/61.8	62.2/62.2

The 2020 Ford Escape looks big in the Flesh but in terms of sheer numbers, it’s compact and smaller than the rest of its rivals. The Escape’s wheelbase is similar to the rest of the competition and so is the width and height. The smaller length of the Escape gives it the leverage of being easily maneuvered through crowded areas or parking in tight spaces.

Exterior Features

Ford has decked the exteriors of the 2020 Escape with some decent features. Some of those features include

• Outside Powered and Heated Mirrors
• 19” Alloy Wheels
• Foot Activated Powered Tailgate
• Fog Lamps
• Rear Parking Sensors
• Autonomous Parallel Parking
• LED Accents on Bi-Xenon Headlamps

The 2018 Ford Escape performed well in different tests conducted by the NHTSA and earned a 5-star overall rating. While the competitors offer a lot of safety tech as standard, Escape owners will have to climb up the trims for getting a good safety package for their Escape.

Some of those features include

• ABS with Electronic Brake Force Distribution
• Traction Control
• Rear View Camera
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Rear Parking Sensors
• Active Lane Control
• Blind Spot Monitors
• Seatbelts with Pre Tensioners and Load Limiters

Ford Escape vs Honda CR-V

There is no denying the fact that the Honda CR-V is one of the best SUVs in the segment. It flaunts an easy to understand infotainment system and best in class cargo space. The CR-V additionally has a rich lodge that offers two lines of seating and has enough space to oblige grown-ups. The Ford, however, offers a lot of technology onboard and is the better handling and fun to drive SUV among the two.

Ford Escape vs Mazda CX-5

The Mazda CX-5 is one of the most sportiest SUVs in the segment. The Mazda offers one of the Best 2nd-row seating arrangements in the class. When it comes to the off-road ability, both the SUV’s are nearly matched and have potent 4WD systems. The Escape, however, offers a slightly better handling package and has a roomier cabin as compared to the Mazda.

Ford Escape vs Volkswagen Tiguan

The Volkswagen Tiguan has to be one of the best-built SUVs in the segment. The car has been solidly put together and exudes presence in flesh. It also has a potent AWD system in the form of the 4Motion technology on offer. The Ford Escape though offers a much sportier ride and an engaging drive experience.

The 2020 Ford Escape has been targeted towards the consumers as a fun to drive SUV with a hint of sportiness. This is a great daily driver, and should you opt for one of the Turbocharged engines, the highway drives will be fun too. The interiors are spacious as well and the cargo space is capable of fulfilling the demands of most consumers. What makes the Ford Escape an irresistible proposition is its 2.0L EcoBoost motor that totally blows the competition. Overall, if you are in the market to buy an SUV that can take you off roads and also give you immense pleasure of driving, the Ford Escape is an SUV you can’t go wrong with.