The Ford Escape is a compact crossover SUV first introduced in the year 2000 and has been on sale ever since. The Ford Escape was first developed in conjunction with Mazda, but the 2012 and on models were designed completely under the Ford umbrella. So, is Ford Escape a good car?
If you want a decent, affordable, safe, and spacious family crossover/SUV, there aren’t all that many cars that can compete with the Ford Escape. As such, the Ford Escape is a really good car for this segment and is also why the Escape is such a success for Ford. The Escape offers an extensive engine palette with both FWD and AWD configurations.
The Escape also looks nice, especially the latest model which obviously borrows some design touches from Aston Martin. The interior is also laid out really well with lots of comfort, convenience, and safety features. The Escape drives like all crossover/SUVs do which means that it is comfortable and easy to drive.
Reliability is decent, but there are some issues worth talking about. Practicality-wise, the Escape seems to satisfy most customer needs thanks to its large trunk space and a fair bit of space in both rows of seating. Visibility is also great and the Escape is really easy to get in and out of.
Ford Escape – The powertrain
The new Ford Escape gets a few different engine configurations starting with the 1.5L EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine that makes 184hp. The next in line is the 2.0L EcoBoost engine with 254hp which is the most powerful Ford Escape engine you can get and is only available with an AWD system.
You can also opt for a conventional hybrid Escape model that combines a 2.5L engine with a hybrid powertrain in order to offer either 163hp or 203hp depending on the state of tune. Finally, the Escape is also being offered as a plug-in hybrid with a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor for a combined output of 210hp.
As mentioned in the beginning, the Escape is available as either a FWD or an AWD car depending on the model and configuration you go for. The Escape comes with an automatic transmission only, and the two available transmission options are either a CVT box for the 2.5L Hybrid or an 8-speed auto for other Escape models.
Ford Escape – Design and chassis
The Ford Escape is a good-looking car and it shares some of its resemblance to Aston Martin which is widely regarded as a brand that only makes good-looking cars. This means that the Escape gets a large oval front grille and a relatively sleek profile. The interior is nicely laid out with everything you need. The controls are easy to understand and everything is where it should be.
When it comes to suspension and chassis tuning, the Escape seems to drive without a specific emphasis on anything. It drives like any other compact family crossover/SUV which means that it is comfortable, easy to drive, and easy to live with.
Ford Escape – Reliability and common issues
Older Ford Escape models were known to experience a bunch of issues, especially the 2005-2014 models which are the most problematic ones out of the bunch except for a handful of model years in that time. The new Escape is a lot better, but there still are some issues worth talking about.
The Escape suffers from engine-related issues such as coil faulty and misfiring/hesitation. The AWD system transfer case is commonly a problem, and so are the transmission and the power steering system. Finally, you should also pay close attention to the brakes which can sometimes feel unnatural and difficult to engage.
Ford Escape – Value and practicality
The 2022 Ford Escape starts at $27,025 for the S-trim model, $28,360 for the SE-Trim model, the SEL costs $30,735, and the range-topping Titanium model starts at $37,145. These prices are fairly attractive for a car of this size and that is why many people are interested in buying a Ford Escape.
Practicality-wise, the Escape is a really good purchase as it offers a lot of space in both rows of seating and it also offers a relatively large trunk space. It has many family-friendly features throughout the car’s cabin, increased ground clearance makes it easy to get in and out of, and overall visibility is really good.
FAQ Section
How efficient is the Ford Escape?
If you take a look at the engines offered with the Ford Escape, you can immediately tell that they should be efficient, especially the 1.5L 4-cylinder engine. Overall, all Ford Escape models can return between 30MPG-35MPG combined which is indeed a really good number for a car as big as the Escape.
However, if you want the most efficient Ford Escape model, you will have to go for the Ford Escape PHEV model which is able to return up to a claimed 150MPGe and a gasoline-only result of 40MPG. This makes it the most efficient Ford Escape model of all time.
Is the Ford Escape a good buy?
The Ford Escape is definitely a good buy because it combines quite a several benefits into a single car. The Escape is spacious, efficient, safe, comfortable, relatively luxurious, and it retains its value really well. The reason why so many people are interested in buying an Escape is that it resides in the most popular car segment these days.
It competes with cars like the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V which are both some of the best-selling cars in the US right now. Therefore, the Ford Escape is a good buy and should be considered by everyone who wants to buy a crossover/SUV.
Is the Ford Escape better than the Honda CR-V or the Toyota RAV4?
These three are matched really tightly, but the Escape does offer more horsepower and more space than both the CR-V and the RAV4. No matter which one of these three you go for, you are likely going to be satisfied. It looks like the Escape does offer quite a bit of upgrades over the other two, but there are really closely matched overall.
