The 2020 Ford Escape crossover SUV whistles into a new model year with three distinct personalities. There’s the thrifty turbo-3 model, an engaging turbo-4 hustler, and a hybrid (and plug-in hybrid) for anyone with strong feelings about visiting the Wawa more than once a week (we recommend the donuts).
This Escape flips and reverses its recent past: The hybrid’s back, the ride’s better than the steering, and the overall package is more than the sum of its parts.
We give it 6.6 out of 10, before safety even comes into the equation. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
Review continues below
The 2020 Escape arrives in S, SE, SE Sport, SEL, and Titanium trim levels, and if counted in just the right way, comes in seven different configurations, between its turbo and hybrid drivetrains and its choice of front- or all-wheel drive.
With the latest Escape, Ford’s softened the hot-hatchback lines of the most recent version into something more organic and more friendly. Some very Mazda moments echo in the exterior with a little Model 3 thrown in for good measure. The sweetly rendered body could teach the cabin a few things: The cabin reads somber in basic black, and some plastic trim distracts.
Base models pair a turbo-3 and an 8-speed automatic, while rorty cars get a much stronger turbo-4 and all-wheel drive. This Escape’s less tuned for carving up two-lane roads than its predecessor, but a redesigned suspension endows it with ride control beyond its size, even with 19-inch wheels. It’s a fluid, energetic performer that’s traded some sizzle for fine
The Escape Hybrid's back, too—but we'll have more on that later this week.
The Escape’s cabin suffers from some plasticky trim; while they’re at it, designers need to spec out new front seats. Sized for smaller passengers, the Escape’s front buckets have short bottom cushions without much leg support. The second-row seat’s better, especially in lower-cost cloth—and it slides on a track to flex passenger and cargo space. Adults slip easily into the back seat and have excellent leg room, even while the Escape maintains nearly 40 cubic feet of cargo space. It’s a bit smaller than CR-V and Forester, but it’s extremely useful.
Every Escape comes with automatic emergency braking; no crash-test data is in but the Escape also offers blind-spot monitors, a head-up display, adaptive cruise control and automatic parking assist.
The base $26,080 2020 Escape S lacks Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but has power features and Bluetooth. Compare that to a 2019 Honda CR-V LX at $25,395 or a 2019 Subaru Forester at $25,270. Our pick, the $28,290 Escape SE, gets a power driver seat, an 8.0-inch touchscreen and satellite radio, and CarPlay/Android compatibility. The $29,450 SE Sport Hybrid adds a power tailgate, navigation, a panoramic roof, and adaptive cruise control. Beyond those, the more expensive Escapes add B&O audio, turbo-4 power, a power passenger seat, and leather upholstery—but top out just over $40,00
0 Kommentarer