2020 Ford Escape Review

The 2020 Ford Escape has been thoroughly overhauled. As SUVs replace sedans as America's vehicle of choice, buyers want more than just a roomy interior and large cargo space. The new Escape not only satisfies both needs but also offers powerful engines, versatility and sporty handling that makes it drive like a smaller car.

Aside from a revamped exterior design that gives the Escape a sportier look, there's a new base engine, an improved suspension and 200 fewer pounds' worth of weight. The Escape Hybrid, which returns after a prolonged absence, will be one of just a few hybrid small SUVs available. A new plug-in hybrid model also joins the lineup, giving Ford its most buzzworthy hybrid splash since the C-Max.

Considering that the Escape is now Ford's only small passenger vehicle (other than the lackluster EcoSport) after the brand discontinued sedans and hatchbacks in the U.S., it would be an understatement to say Ford has a lot riding on the success of its all-new 2020 Ford Escape.

Our own Edmunds ranking pegs the previous-generation 2019 Escape down in the 10th spot for our small SUV category. But our initial experience with the new Escape suggests it's considerably better. The improvements Ford made in fuel efficiency, interior design and technology make the Escape a far more compelling contender in this hotly contested segment.

Ford uses a new 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder for the base powertrain, replacing last year's 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder. This new engine has a cylinder deactivation system that can shut down one cylinder when demand is low, and it feeds its power through an eight-speed automatic transmission instead of a six-speed.

Despite the completely new configuration, the base Escape's output of 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque is similar to last year, gaining 2 hp and 13 lb-ft. For around-town driving or accelerating up to highway speeds, we've found this new three-cylinder provides a satisfying amount of power.

Want more? You can again get the Escape with a turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine. For 2020, it generates 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. That's roughly the same torque as the engine that helped our long-term 2017 Escape SE cover 0-60 mph in 7.1 seconds. Ford says the 2020 version should accelerate 10% quicker, which to our reckoning would be less than 6.5 seconds. The extra horsepower can't account for all of that, so it's likely down to weight loss, the smoother shape and the transmission's extra gears.

For the first time since 2013, the answer is yes. Move up to the SE Sport or the Titanium and the standard powertrain is a hybrid system that combines a 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine with a pair of electric motors buried inside an electronic continuously variable automatic transmission.

Ford has one more powertrain permutation up its sleeve, and that's a new plug-in hybrid variant of the 2.5-liter hybrid that will be optional on the SE, SEL and Titanium models. Its enlarged plug-in battery will have a capacity of 14.4 kWh, and Ford expects it to deliver a rated electric range of at least 30 miles — the most in this tiny but growing subcategory. It will also have four driver-selectable modes, including an EV Now setting that will make it persist as an EV for as long as the battery lasts.

An 8-inch touchscreen comes standard on the SE and up, running Ford's easy-to-use Sync 3, which also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The graphics are crisp, and the menus are easy to navigate. The screen response was quick and accurate. We also appreciate the freestanding volume and tune knobs that are within easy reach of both short and tall drivers.

All Escapes come standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, which is shorthand for a suite of advanced driver aids such as pre-collision detection with automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assistance, blind-spot warning with cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams and a backup camera. Optional active safety components include full stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist.

More convenience-oriented options include an active park assist system that will direct the car into a parallel or perpendicular parking spot with no need for the driver to work the steering, shifter, gas or brake.

The Escape offers five driving modes: Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, and Snow and Sand. Note that Snow and Sand is intended for deep snow; for icy conditions, a driver would choose Slippery. The different modes change the throttle response, transmission shift points, cylinder deactivation timing and, in the case of Sport, steering feel. Cycling through the modes changes the graphic display on the optional all-digital instrument cluster and provides noticeable differences in driving feel. Normal and Eco will probably be most people's preferred settings, but a twisty mountain road might call for a bit of Sport.

It isn't just drive modes and engine options that affect the Ford Escape's on-road manners. The 2020 Escape is lighter by 200 pounds than the previous-generation model, and that's after adding in more sound deadening, a stiffer suspension and a vibration-absorbing rear subframe. All that strengthening and cushioning should add weight. But because Ford made use of lighter, stronger steels and aluminum, the engineers were able to make components such as the roof pillars and suspension parts thinner. The result is not only a car that feels solid yet responsive, but also improved visibility since you aren't looking around massive front and side pillars.

Ford's Co-Pilot360 safety system has one of the smoothest adaptive cruise controls we've experienced in the small SUV segment. It neatly brings the Escape down to a full stop and accelerates back up to highway speed when traffic clears. Graphics in the dash also warn of stopped traffic ahead. And should you fail to react, emergency braking will apply the stoppers. The Escape also has a lane centering feature. Unlike lane keeping, lane centering constantly reacts in small movements to keep the vehicle in the middle of a lane. You might find it useful in certain situations, but it does make the steering feel overly light. For driving enjoyment, you'll want to keep that feature turned off.

Get behind the wheel of the Escape Hybrid and, aside from some different graphics in the dash, you won't notice a big difference in the way it drives compared to a regular Escape. Ford says the Escape Hybrid uses a new liquid-cooled battery design that helps minimize added weight and space.

We did notice a bit more engine noise from the hybrid at times, but that's about the only complaint we had. The hybrid has the same driving modes as the non-hybrid, plus an extra EV mode. The EV mode will keep the vehicle in electric power for as long as the battery lasts. Overall, the hybrid offers everything we like about the other Escape engines plus better fuel economy.

The 2020 Escape is longer and wider than before, and this translates into more interior space.
Both the front and rear rows offer more hiproom and shoulder room than the outgoing model, and the rear seat now slides and reclines. The difference is palpable, and the feeling is further enhanced by the lower window sills that come with the new styling. The new Escape moves the perception needle from cozy to spacious in an instant. Even though the roofline is lower in the Escape's hatchy car design, there is still headroom for tall adults in both the front and rear.

Drivers of all heights will find the seating position accommodating thanks to the steering wheel's generous telescoping range and the extra visibility afforded by the expanded glass area. We did notice that the sharply sloped windshield tended to reflect the dash when driving into bright sunlight, so go easy on the Armor All when you get it detailed.

The controls are accessible and clearly divided by task. You won't go to turn down the volume and switch off the air by mistake. The 8-inch infotainment touchscreen is standard and has a freestanding design look that makes it seem like Ford just plopped an iPad Mini on top of the dashboard. Ford took the same freestanding approach to the available head-up display, a neat idea that's somewhat lacking in execution. Rather than projecting information on the windscreen, the Escape displays it on a little clear screen that rises from the dash. It looks old-fashioned and spoils the rest of the interior's clean, modern looks.

The whole point of having a small SUV instead of a large car is cargo space. So in designing the Escape to look more like a large car, has Ford uncrossed the crossover? Total cargo space is 65.4 cubic feet, which is less than what the Honda CR-V offers, but it's still fully competitive within the segment. The sliding rear row provides 6 inches of adjustability fore and aft, which means that you can choose between full passenger comfort or freeing up more space for cargo and luggage.

We've talked a lot about how the Escape's redesign offers head- and legroom to tall passengers. But the same details that make it comfortable for tall folks will also make it a pleasant ride for the shortest of passengers. The high ceiling and adjustable rear seats mean that parents have more room to maneuver infants in and out of car seats. They'll also have space to move past one car seat to a second on the opposite side of the vehicle.