Professionals: Nice powertrain selections, together with hybrids; enjoyable to drive; hybrids have spare tires
Cons: Inside is simply too small and chintzy for the cash; bodily controls missed with massive touchscreen
The 2024 Ford Escape is a compact SUV that’s simple to love. You climb in, and the car-like driving place makes you’re feeling such as you’re about to take a spin in a sporty hatchback – albeit with a better viewpoint. The driving expertise furthers that impression, with above-average dealing with for the phase, and a terrific lineup of engines, together with a uncommon efficiency improve and two hybrids (the common Escape Hybrid and the Escape Plug-in Hybrid). Higher trim ranges additionally placed on a superb present with an unlimited 13.4-inch widescreen-oriented touchscreen boasting crisp graphics and nice Apple/Android integration.
It looks like there’s a “however” coming right here, proper? There may be. As likable because the Escape is, it’s laborious to not cringe on the worth tags. Although they actually align with others within the phase, the Escape is significantly smaller inside than a Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage, and so forth. Its again seat and cargo house aren’t that totally different from some subcompact SUVs. The inside can also be hopelessly drab with below-average supplies – even soft-touch surfaces appear to be they’re laborious plastic. As such, the Escape comes throughout as being poor worth for the cash. Maybe if you may get an awesome deal and its measurement doesn’t current a problem, its easy-to-like nature can shine by (particularly the hybrids), however all issues being equal, it’s robust to suggest.
Inside & Know-how | Passenger & Cargo House | Efficiency & Gasoline Financial system
What it is wish to drive | Pricing & Trim Ranges | Crash Scores & Security Options
What’s new for 2024?
After main modifications made final 12 months, it carries over largely unchanged for 2024. The Escape Energetic trim degree is now the bottom trim degree, although, successfully elevating the value and additional simplifying the lineup.
What are the Escape inside and in-car expertise like?
Supplies high quality is disappointing for this worth level and phase. Even soft-touch surfaces on the sprint and door tops appear to be laborious plastic – which is what truly covers every little thing else. The extraordinarily drab design actually doesn’t assist the state of affairs, particularly in an all-black inside. The uniquely quilted leather-based seats present in higher trim ranges are its solely above-average component when it comes to design and high quality. The cabins of all rivals are superior on each fronts (OK, perhaps not the Chevy Equinox).
The tech state of affairs is at the least higher, albeit with some nits to choose. The usual 8-inch touchscreen runs Ford’s user-friendly last-generation tech interface. It’s not flashy, but it surely works, and we predict that’s all that the majority of us need. Nonetheless, the 13.2-inch touchscreen completely dwarfs it. It additionally runs a totally totally different interface and annexes the local weather controls, eliminating the bottom set-up of bodily buttons and knobs decrease on the sprint. These controls are at all times left on the display screen, which is nice, however the air recirculation button is buried in a submenu, and the heated seat controls are extra difficult than simply tapping a bodily button. We additionally don’t like that the row of completely docked menu icons of the bottom system has disappeared from this supposed improve. It’s extra doubtless you’ll have to tap-tap-tap to go between menus now.
On the upside, we do like that the automobile remembers the final display screen you have been on when final utilizing the automobile, and that shows from the automobile’s interface can seem similtaneously Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (versus Apple/Android taking on the complete system). For example, you possibly can nonetheless see what’s enjoying on SiriusXM radio whereas Google Maps.
How massive is the Escape?
The Escape is notably much less spacious than high rivals from Honda, Toyota, Kia, Hyundai … truly, virtually each compact SUV. Taller occupants up entrance usually tend to squish these in again, or make becoming youngster seats tougher. That stated, these taller occupants will at the least discover a energy driver seat notably good at adjusting to lengthy legs without having to stretch means out to achieve the wheel.
The Escape is the uncommon compact SUV that comes with a 60/40-split sliding again seat. In principle, it is a nice function that will increase versatility. It could actually carry youngsters a bit of nearer to you or open up further cargo house. The difficulty is, using that sliding seat is extra of a necessity than a useful bonus function. You see, on paper, chances are you’ll discover the Escape’s 34.4 (hybrid) or 37.5 cubic-feet (non-hybrid) cargo volumes are roughly equal to the most important within the phase, however these volumes are with the again seat slid all the best way ahead. You’re principally left to decide on between max cargo or back-seat passengers. You may learn extra about this in our in-depth Ford Escape baggage check cargo evaluate.
What are the Escape gasoline economic system, efficiency and electrical vary specs?
The Escape Energetic and ST-Line come commonplace with a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder that produces 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automated and front-wheel drive are commonplace; all-wheel drive is non-compulsory. EPA gasoline economic system figures weren’t out there on the time of this writing for 2024, however they need to be virtually similar to these for 2023: 27 mpg metropolis, 34 mpg freeway and 30 mpg mixed with FWD and 26/32/28 with AWD.
The ST-Line Choose, ST-Line Elite and Platinum come commonplace with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder good for 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, one of many biggest quantities out there within the compact SUV phase. It too will get an eight-speed automated, however all-wheel drive is commonplace. Gasoline economic system takes a success to 23/31/26 (2023 figures).
The common Escape Hybrid is on the market in all ST-Line trim ranges and the Platinum. It consists of a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four and an electrical motor that produces a complete system output of 192 hp. This can be a bit beneath common for a hybrid compact SUV. Powering that motor is a battery pack replenished by the engine and recouping power usually misplaced whereas braking; you do not want to plug it in. Entrance- or all-wheel drive can be found. Gasoline economic system with both is similar at 42 mpg metropolis, 36 mpg freeway and 39 mpg mixed.
The Escape Plug-in Hybrid has a a lot bigger battery, which have to be plugged in to reap the benefits of the 37 miles of all-electric vary readily available. Do this, and relying in your commute, you’ll hardly ever be paying for fuel. The EPA charges it at 101 miles-per-gallon-equivalent, which is extra environment friendly than the Kia Sportage and Toyota RAV4 plug-ins. The PHEV is sadly solely out there with front-wheel drive.
What is the Escape wish to drive?
No matter powertrain, the Escape is without doubt one of the extra partaking compact crossovers to drive with a stiff chassis and a suspension simply on the agency facet of snug. Its assortment of torque-rich powertrain choices solely heighten its athletic bent. The steering is a bit numb at preliminary turn-in, however there’s a shocking quantity of suggestions offered by turns. Generally, the Escape drives extra like a automobile than an SUV, very a lot for the higher.
The bottom 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine is a bit of sluggish off the road, but it surely involves life because the turbo builds strain. It feels clean and responsive switching by the gears, and we’re glad Ford averted placing a repeatedly variable transmission in right here (because the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester have). The extra highly effective 2.0-liter turbo-four is actually faster, but it surely, too, can really feel a bit of sluggish off the road. As soon as underway, passing energy from the two.0-liter is superb on account of its abundance of midrange torque, and it’s rated to tow as a lot as 3,500 kilos.
Regardless of having much less torque than the gas-only powertrains, the Escape Hybrid’s torque comes early, serving to it get transferring shortly at low rpm. Its digital CVT can drone a bit, particularly below regular acceleration, but it surely’s not bothersome below most driving. The Escape Plug-in Hybrid principally simply turns the dial up on the common Hybrid, with much more time spent driving below electrical energy, even when the all-electric vary is depleted. Like different PHEVs, there are a number of powertrain modes, together with an automated mode that blends the 2 energy sources as wanted, one which saves the electrical vary for later (say, after a freeway drive if you enter a metropolis) and one which locks out the fuel engine utterly. Regarding the latter, most PHEV rivals will routinely kick on the fuel engine do you have to lay into the throttle – the Escape doesn’t, as an alternative asking you to verify with a press of the OK steering wheel button if you would like full energy. When you don’t, you’ll be coping with some fairly pokey acceleration, albeit freed from burning gasoline. In any of the above, transitions and energy supply are seamless. This can be a subtle powertrain.
What different Ford Escape opinions can I learn?
2023 Ford Escape First Drive Overview
Going over the substantial modifications made for the 2023 mannequin 12 months, together with revised styling, new tech and the brand new ST Line trim ranges.
Ford Escape Baggage Check
We take a deep dive into how a lot real-world stuff the Escape can maintain and clarify why its official cargo quantity determine is deceptive.
Ford Escape Cupholder Mega Check
And now for a fair deeper deep dive: how the Escape’s cupholders can deal with a 32-ounce Nalgene bottle.
2020 Ford Escape Inside Overview
The inside has modified since we did this evaluate, most notably the smartphone storage and the range-topping tech interface, however right this moment’s base tech interface continues to be just like what we reviewed and every little thing else largely carries over. That features the subpar supplies high quality.
2020 Ford Escape SE Sport Hybrid Drivers’ Notes Overview
Our editors check the Escape Hybrid, discovering it acquired gasoline economic system within the low to mid 30s with out a lot effort to be thrifty.
What’s the 2024 Escape’s worth?
Whereas different compact SUVs provide a distinctively named trim degree or two that speaks to its sportier or extra luxurious components than the everyday S, SE, SEL format, the Escape is 100% distinctively named. Issues kick off with Energetic, however regardless of the title, it’s not notably distinctive when it comes to its look or functionality. The three ST-Line trim ranges are, nevertheless, at the least when it comes to look, which boasts sportier trim items and wheels. The Platinum is essentially the most luxurious when it comes to gear, however as we mentioned within the inside part, no Escape inside rises wherever near “luxurious.”
All costs beneath embody the necessary $1,495 vacation spot cost. All-wheel drive is a $2,170 possibility. The Escape Plug-In Hybrid is eligible for a $3,750 federal tax credit score plus doable state-level credit.
Energetic: $30,740ST-Line: $31,735ST-Line Choose: $35,435Platinum: $38,860ST-Line Elite: $39,855
Hybrid ST-Line: $33,340Hybrid ST-Line Choose: $36,435Hybrid Platinum: $38,360Hybrid ST-Line Elite: $39,460
PHEV: $40,500
PHEV (left/high) versus ST-Line Elite. Word the distinction in wheel and the trim across the home windows.
What are the Escape security rankings and driver help options?
Each Escape contains ahead collision warning with automated emergency braking and pedestrian detection, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping help, and highway departure warning. The out there Ford Co-Pilot 360 Help package deal provides evasive steering help and adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go functionality and lane-centering steering help.
The NHTSA offers most Escapes 5 out of 5 stars for total crash safety, plus 5 stars for frontal and facet crash safety. The PHEV additionally will get a five-star total rating, however the frontal rating is lowered to 4 stars. The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security gave the Escape the best-possible rating of “Good” in all pertinent crash exams, however the brand new IIHS up to date facet check (most automobiles haven’t been subjected to this but) the place it acquired a second-worst/third-best “Marginal” grade. The IIHS had not examined the Escape’s headlights or driver help tech on the time of this writing.
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