2019 Ford Escape Review

The S starts with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (168 horsepower, 170 pound-feet of torque), a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. Standard features include 17-inch steel wheels, automatic headlights, MyKey parental controls, cruise control, air conditioning, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a height-adjustable driver seat, a 60/40-split folding and reclining rear seat.

Tech features include a 4.2-inch central display, a rearview camera, the Sync interface with AppLink smartphone integration, Bluetooth, and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player and a USB port. Note that this model is generally aimed at business fleet buyers and may not be easy to find on your local dealer's lot.

Upgrading to the SE gets you 17-inch alloy wheels (optional on the S), added chrome exterior trim, sound-reducing window glass, a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine (179 hp, 177 lb-ft), roof rails, foglights, a keyless entry keypad, rear privacy glass, push-button ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, rear air vents, an eight-way power-adjustable driver seat (with power lumbar adjustment), heated front seats, cloth upholstery, a rear center armrest and satellite radio.

For infotainment, the SE offers the Sync 3 tech package, which includes an 8-inch touchscreen, enhanced voice controls, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Sync Connect (which includes remote app services and onboard Wi-Fi), and a nine-speaker sound system with dual USB ports.

All-wheel drive is optional for SE trims, as is a Sport Appearance package that adds black 19-inch wheels, black-painted exterior trim, LED daytime running lights, paddle shifters, partial leather upholstery, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.

The SEL bundles all the SE equipment and adds a power liftgate, roof rack rails, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, premium cloth upholstery (ideal for hot climates, Ford says), power-adjustable side mirrors with heating, and rear parking sensors. A panoramic sunroof and 18-inch wheels are optional in the Sun and Style package and, like the SE trim, the SEL also offers a Sport Appearance package with similar features.

At the top of the lineup is the Titanium. It bundles all the SEL features but adds a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (245 hp, 275 lb-ft), a six-speed automatic transmission, 19-inch wheels, a power liftgate, remote start, ambient interior lighting, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, xenon headlights, heated and 10-way power-adjustable front seats, driver-seat memory settings, a 110-volt, household-style power outlet and additional 12-volt power outlets.

Also standard are a navigation system, a 10-speaker Sony audio system with HD radio, front and rear parking sensors, and an automated parallel and perpendicular parking feature (which includes front and side parking sensors).

The Titanium options are similar to the SEL options, with the exception of an uprated tow package capable of pulling up to 3,500 pounds.

A Safe and Smart package is available for the SE, SEL and Titanium trims, and it includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams and wipers, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning and intervention.