Going by the EPA's estimates, an Escape equipped like the one I tested is capable of getting 23 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway and 26 mpg combined.* My real-world combined figure wasn't far off over the course of 250.8 miles, I averaged 24.8 mpg. That extra displacement brings output up to 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, which my Escape tester routed through an eight-speed automatic and Intelligent AWD. Ford fitted me with the optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost. The Escape SEL comes standard with the entry-level 1.5-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine that produces 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque. The Blue Oval also upgraded my media vehicle in another major way. Ford made every seat in the Escape a good one by topping it with an optional panoramic moonroof. I'm 5'10" and I had plenty of legroom in the sliding second row, even when it wasn't fully pushed back. The eight-inch touchscreen was similarly user-friendly and gave me access to the SYNC 3 infotainment system's various functions.įor such an outwardly small SUV, the Escape was surprisingly roomy and luxurious in the back seat. Adjusting that and the sound system was easy thanks to well-placed knobs for the fan speed, temperature, volume and tuning. Up front, my press loaner had a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated seats (10-way power adjustable for the driver and four-way manual for the passenger) and automatic climate control. The Escape SEL was an exception, but I had no complaints. Normally, the press vehicles I receive have the top trim level and a variety of options on them. Dual round chrome exhaust finishers flanked the hitch receiver for the standard Class II Trailer Tow Package, which enabled my tester to tow up to 3,500 pounds. In the back, a standard hands-free power liftgate made loading groceries easier. Contoured doors and an upward slope to the bottom of the daylight opening give the Escape a leaned-forward, athletic profile. The shape of the distinctive trapezoidal grille is a nod to the Mustang's grille and the lower front fascia was inspired by the same area on the GT supercar. The entire front end of the Escape is genetically predisposed to being an eye magnet because it shares DNA with two of Ford's most famous performance cars. Its Magnetic paint coordinated perfectly with its two-tone 19-inch wheels, which looked like massive snowflakes. If I were to buy a 2020 Escape, I'd configure it just like my press loaner. Seeing my test vehicle in person taught me just how wrong my initial impressions had been. The last-gen model was rounded and smooth, but the 2020 seemed to be all softness and curves. This is what you can expect for that kind of money.įull disclosure: When I first saw Ford's official media photos of the new Escape, I was less than impressed. If you configure an Escape just like the one I wrote this review about, it'll have an MSRP of $34,445, according to the Ford website. At the time, it was so new that its window sticker didn't even have official pricing. Ford equips SE and above models with an 8-inch touchscreen, which provides access to the available SYNC 3 infotainment system.įord gave me the opportunity to learn about the new Escape behind the wheel of an all-wheel-drive SEL model. All Escapes come standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 safety system and FordPass Connect, which provides access to 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity. Trim levels include the base S, SE, SE Sport Hybrid, SEL and top-of-the-line Titanium. They also incorporated more lightweight, high-strength steel, which means the Escape is more than 200 pounds lighter than its 2019 predecessor.įour powertrain options are available: a 1.5-liter EcoBoost I4, a larger 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine, a conventional hybrid setup and a plug-in hybrid power plant with a maximum EPA-projected range of more than 550 miles. Engineers made the 2020 model the most aerodynamic yet. It may be Ford's second-smallest SUV, but the new Escape features styling cues from two of the biggest names in the performance car market. All those years of learning and development have led up to the fourth-generation 2020 Ford Escape. Over the past two decades, it's only gotten sleeker, smarter and more powerful. It started as a boxy peg that filled in the square hole in Ford's product lineup. It's hard to believe, but the Ford Escape is 20 years old.
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