2020 Ford Escape: 6 Things We Like and 2 Things We Don’t
The ever-popular Ford Escape SUV is totally redesigned for 2020, and its updates are bringing comfort, utility and style to a crowded class of compact SUVs.
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Shop the 2020 Ford Escape near you
The Escape competes with the likes of the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Volkswagen Tiguan, but still manages to be one of the top-selling vehicles in its class. For 2020, it gets sleek, curvy new styling, an updated interior and several new powertrains — including a hybrid model. Our likes and dislikes about the hybrid version of the 2020 Escape can be found here. A plug-in hybrid is slated to come later in 2020.
If you’re in the market for a new Escape, follow the related link above for Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays’ full critique. For the quick rundown of what we like (and what we, to put it delicately … don’t like) about the 2020 Ford Escape, read on:
Things We Like
1. Lighter for the 1.5-Liter
A 200-pound weight reduction over the last model proves to have been a much-needed load off the Escape’s standard engine. The turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder puts out 181 horsepower — enough power to feel pretty brisk when driving around town with the standard front-wheel drive.
2. 2.0-Liter Piles on the Power
The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine of the top Titanium trim makes 250 hp and is mated to the same eight-speed automatic transmission as the 1.5-liter. It puts out 280 pounds-feet of torque, which reviewer Kelsey Mays says “starts early and ends late.” This version has enough power to handle the load of all-wheel drive and several passengers, and it’s less “peaky,” to use Mays’ description, than the previous-gen 2.0-liter.
3. Handling and Ride Quality
Like its predecessors, the 2020 Escape rides and drives well. It steers with light effort and a quick steering ratio that makes it feel easy to maneuver. At higher speeds, body roll feels contained and shock absorption is good overall.
4. Standard Safety
Where previous Escapes lacked safety and driver assistance tech, this one is full of such features, making it a class leader in the category. Even the base model comes standard with a blind spot warning system, lane departure warning with steering assist and automatic emergency braking, the latter of which was previously unavailable in the Escape at any trim level. Optional are adaptive cruise control and lane-centering steering, both of which work all the way to a stop.
5. Interior Space
This Escape is bigger on interior space than the last one. In the backseat, a higher seating position gives plenty of knee room. A rear sliding adjustment — new for 2020 and uncommon in the class — can make 6 extra inches of cargo room without sacrificing much of that backseat space.
6. Infotainment Upgrade
While the base trim only has a 4.2-inch screen with few integrations, an 8-inch touchscreen comes on all other trim levels. It features Ford’s easy-to-use Sync 3 multimedia system and works with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Waze directions and Amazon Alexa voice control.
More From Cars.com:
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Things We Don’t
1. Interior Steps Backward
Compared with the outgoing model of the Escape, the 2020 version takes a few noticeable steps back in terms of interior quality. This Escape lacks the previous one’s storage nooks in the center console. And the large rear-quarter windows have been traded out for much smaller ones that obstruct the driver’s view of the blind spot — and which Mays refers to as “useless.” Competitors often feature ventilated front seats and heated rear seats — both of which elude the Escape.
2. All-Wheel Drag
There are no quick escapes when the 1.5-liter version of this SUV is weighed down by extra occupantsand the optional all-wheel drive. AWD adds 170 pounds, and with three adults in the car, Mays said acceleration suffered and there was a hesitation at the start from a full stop. (The 2.0-liter, on the other hand, can handle the load.)
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
