The 2013 Ford Escape is available in four trim levels; S, SE, SEL, and Titanium. In all trim levels, FWD and AWD options are both available, except for the base model that only comes in one configuration i.e. FWD. The standard features with the base model include 17-inch steel wheels, MyKey parental controls, an integrated blind-spot mirror, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a six-speaker sound system with a CD player, cruise control, and air conditioning. 

We recommend

For those who are unsure, we recommend going with the SEL but ensuring it is AWD. The TurboCharged engine in this trim will give you good acceleration and power. Also included in the SEL trim are heated front bucket seats, 10-way adjustable front seats, Dual-zone automatic climate control, leather steering wheel, and Universal Garage door opener. The SEL trim seems to be the most value for money yer practical choice in the Escape’s lineup.

Compared to the previous models, the 2013 Ford Escape comes with a more powerful engine that can push more and save more fuel. To make this SUV more appealing, it is available with two engine choices, the base model of which is equipped with a 2.0L Inline-4. However, the other trims come with 1.6L turbocharged inline-4 engines, while the top-tier trim comes with the same engine but with a higher output.

The Escape used to come with a continuously variable transmission but this year it has been updated to a Shiftable 6-speed automatic transmission. All Escape trim levels are available as FWD & AWD except the base trim, which is available only in FWD. In addition, Ford has made a major improvement in its driving dynamics compared to its past models. 

With the new steering wheel, you'll feel lighter and your commands are more responsive. Better ride quality is also assured with the seating positioned perfectly. Throughout the ride, the engine noise is also kept to a minimum. Its performance on twisty and uneven roads is similarly impressive, and there are no areas in which the Escape could be criticized for its ride quality.

All the compact SUVs in the competition offer the option to choose between FWD and AWD drivetrains depending on your requirements. Though the performance of the base model isn't as good as some rivals like the RAV4, it's still great. Yet the upper trim with the turbocharged engine has a pretty fast 0-60 time, clocking in at almost 6.9 seconds, which is quite good for an SUV like this.

Ford's Escape has also improved its fuel economy compared with its predecessor. It offers higher on-the-go mileage than any other compact SUV in its class, other than the Buick Encore, which is slightly better in this case. The Escape can travel 23 miles per gallon in the city and up to 33 miles per gallon on the highway. The Escape's combined range is 26 miles per gallon, which is again impressive, and arguably one of the best in its class. The large 15-gallon tank also serves as a benefit for this SUV, ensuring that you can go for long miles without visiting the gas station.

The Ford Escape has excellent fuel economy, but it is a little less fuel-efficient than the Buick Encore. However, it beats Encore and all its rivals in overall range due to its excellent combination of mileage and fuel storage capacity. Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Santa FE have bigger fuel tanks than the Escape but they do not offer similar fuel efficiency. Buick Encore has the smallest fuel tank of all the cars in the competition.

This year's Escape has undergone some interior changes that make it more spacious and more comfortable inside. Beginning with the SEL trim, the highest level of luxury and comfort can be experienced with leather-bolstered seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Additionally, the seats on the upper trims are also more supportive and well-padded.

Additionally, the layout inside the cabin is very driver-friendly, with all the buttons perfectly placed for the driver's convenience. One negative about the vehicle's interior is that the climate control buttons are located way below the console, making it difficult to operate. Additionally, the cabin space has been improved somewhat this year, but improvements still need to be made in the rear space.

The Ford Escape's cargo space measures 34.3 cubic feet, which is more than enough for any SUV in its class. However, some competitors, such as Toyota RAV4, offer a little more space in that department. The Escape has the most space both for the driver and for the passenger in the front section. On the other hand, the Hyundai Santa Fe has the best legroom and headroom in this segment. Standout interior features in the 2013 Ford Escape:

• Leather steering wheel
• Heated front bucket seats
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Remote keyless entry
• Rear seat with recline and center armrest
• 10-way adjustable front seats

What’s there to keep you entertained in the 2013 Ford Escape?

Rather than being exceptional, Escape's infotainment system is rather average. A 4.2-inch display is placed upfront and, if you want MyFord Touch and navigation, it will cost you around $1,750 more. The screen's display quality feels decent but its responsiveness falls below average. Furthermore, it is equipped with 6 speakers as standard, Sirius XM, USB ports, Mast Antenna, Speed sensitive volume control, AM/FM stereo, etc. Standout infotainment features include:

• Sirius XM
• Auxiliary audio input jack
• Universal Garage door opener
• USB ports
• 10-speaker Sony audio system with HD radio 
• MyFord Touch and Navigation (Optional)

This year's Escape has evolved into a more sporty and aesthetic design where it used to come in a boxy shape. Another thing you'll notice about the Escape is that it shares a lot of similarities with its rival Hyundai Santa Fe. Its dimensions have also been enlarged a bit for this year to compete with some of its competitors. 

Ground clearance is not a strong point of this SUV, and the competition outperforms it in this area. SEL and Titanium come with 18.0 and 19.0-inch wheels, respectively, while the base model comes with 17.0-inch wheels. Apart from that, it also has other features such as a hands-free liftgate, sunroof, power side mirrors, automatic headlamps, and much more.

The Escape has a higher ground clearance compared to all of its rivals, which kept it down in this segment. Even so, Escape's wheelbase is very good for a car in this segment. Body-wise, the Escape isn't as heavy as the Toyota RAV4 or Hyundai Santa Fe, and its weight can be considered as good. The Buick Encore is the lightest car in the competition but it gets smaller dimensions compared with the other rivals. Some exterior features include:

• 17.0-inch wheels
• Hands-free liftgate
• Power side mirrors
• Quad-beam halogen headlamps
• Sunroof

The Ford Escape was completely rebuilt from the ground up. Additionally, this year's underpinned platform was tuned for better rigidity and performance, which is directly reflected in its safety ratings. Based on NHTSA ratings, it was rated four out of five stars, whereas IIHS labeled it as the 2013 Top Safety Pick. Regarding features, there are not many standard or exciting features in it. However, there are still enough features that ensure your safety inside its cabin. The safety features include:

• Post-Collision Safety System
• Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Cross-Traffic Alert
• Blindspot information
• Forward Collision Mitigation

The 2013 Ford Escape is indeed one of those compact crossovers that you need to put on your list, especially after the upgrades this year. The Escape has also been priced very competitively and provides an abundance of features. However, the infotainment interface and interior space could be a little better in this SUV. Due to this, its rivals like the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Toyota RAV4 seem a little better, and you can consider them also. The Ford Escape is, however, a better option for the performance and handling that it offers.