What's New
In response to the market's preference for SUVs over sedans, Ford has recently taken the dramatic step to deep-six its entire car lineup. It's a bold decision and one that will likely alienate a not-immaterial number of loyal buyers. Take one look at the new 2020 Ford Escape, though, and you get the sense that Ford has hedged its bets on its car-pocalypse predictions.
That this small crossover looks more like a stilted hatchback rather than a chunky little SUV is likely no coincidence. Regardless of our tinfoil-hat conspiracy theories, the new Escape is a welcome step forward for the nameplate.
It weighs less and is more aerodynamic. There's plenty of active safety and connectivity features that come standard. And there's now two hybrid powertrains to pick from along with the gas engines. Car-like or not, Ford's newest crossover looks ready to take on the competition.
Choosing Your Ford Escape
The newest Escape is divvied up into five trim levels: S, SE, SE Sport Hybrid, SEL, and Titanium. Pricing starts at $26,725 including destination for the S and rises to $35,240 for the Titanium.
Engine Choices
A 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder powers the S, SE, and SEL, while the SE Sport Hybrid and Titanium come standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain. A 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder is available on the SEL for $3,385 and on the Titanium for $2,885. Still on its way is a plug-in hybrid powertrain that'll offer full-electric capability; look for it to arrive in showrooms late in the 2020 model year.
Engine Type | Horsepower | Torque | Fuel Economy (Combined) |
1.5L Turbo 3-Cylinder | 180 hp | 177 lb-ft | 30 mpg |
2.0L Turbo 4-Cylinder | 250 hp | 275 lb-ft | 26 mpg |
2.5L 4-Cylinder Hybrid | 198 hp | N/A | 41 mpg |
2.5L 4-Cylinder Plug-In Hybrid | 209 hp | N/A | Not Yet Rated |
An eight-speed automatic transmission is paired with the gas engines, while the hybrid and plug-in hybrid use an electronic continuously variable transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard on the three-cylinder and hybrid, but all-wheel drive is a $1,500 option. AWD is standard with the turbo four-cylinder.
Ford says you might be able to wring out 550 miles from a single fill-up with the hybrid powertrain, which would make the Escape the range champion of its class.
In terms of towing, hybrids are rated for 1,500 pounds and the three-cylinder can pull 2,000 pounds. If you're looking to lug anything more than a utility trailer, we'd recommend stepping up to the 2.0-liter turbo-four. Besides offering the most power by far, it also comes standard with a Trailer Tow Package; any Escape so equipped is able to pull up to 3,500 pounds.
Passenger and Cargo Capacity
All Escapes are four-door crossovers with seating for five. New for 2020 are rear seats that slide fore and aft; shove them into their most rearward position, and long-legged riders will enjoy best-in-class leg room. Space up front is right on par with the competition.
For the gas-only models, cargo space behind the rear seats comes out to 33.5 cubic feet, which is a bit better than the Chevrolet Equinox but doesn't quite measure up to the 37.5 cubes found in the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. A hybrid Escape sacrifices another 3 cubic feet of space due to the battery.
Fold the rear seats down, and a standard Escape will tote 65 cubes worth of paraphernalia while a hybrid will do 61. Again, this isn't quite as much as the Japanese competitors but is on par with the Chevy.
Safety Features
Every 2020 Escape comes standard with Ford's Co-Pilot360 bundle of driver assist safety technology. This suite includes automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking.
It's a fairly comprehensive list, with the only major omission being adaptive cruise control. That's not to say it isn't available, though. It's offered on the SE, SE Sport Hybrid, and SEL trims as part of the $695 Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist package. Besides adaptive cruise, the package also includes evasive steering assist and a voice-activated navigation system. All this is standard on the Titanium.
Connectivity
Base models make do with a 4.2-inch no-touch infotainment screen and run the more basic iteration of Sync software. All other trims use an 8-inch touchscreen housing the Sync 3 operating system with SiriusXM radio along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base model has to make do with traditional AM and FM.
Two up-front USB ports and wi-fi capability are standard equipment across the range. Navigation is optional on most trims; order it and you'll also enjoy SiriusXM Traffic functionality.
A 12.3-inch fully digital gauge cluster can be found on the top three trim levels. A head-up display is an option exclusive to the Titanium.
The lowliest Escape S wears the usual steel wheels and base-spec black trim and grille. Its standard features include LED taillights, a six-way manually adjustable driver's seat, cloth upholstery, an alarm, and three 12-volt power outlets. A six-speaker audio system, remote keyless entry, and automatic headlights are all standard as well.
Moving up to the SE brings chrome trim and 17-inch wheels, as well as automatic climate control, heated front seats, a 10-way power driver's seat, and heated side mirrors. The 8-inch touchscreen with Sync 3 software replaces the base setup.
A panoramic vista roof is available for $1,495.
SE Sport Hybrid - From $30,095
The SE Sport Hybrid model ditches the three-cylinder in favor of the 2.5-liter hybrid. Along with the upgraded powertrain, there's also a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 12.3-inch fully digital touchscreen, pedestrian alert, and unique 17-inch wheels.
The $3,395 SE Sport Premium Package bundles numerous amenities, including a power liftgate, upgraded upholstery, the panoramic roof, Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist, and remote start.
Additional standard features on the SEL include much of what is found in the Sport Hybrid's Premium Package, though the panoramic roof and the Co-Pilot360 Assist remain optional. Other upgrades include a memory function for the driver's seat, 18-inch wheels, and a heated steering wheel.
The top-trim Titanium includes plenty of luxuries not found elsewhere in the lineup. There's front and rear parking sensors, leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, full LED exterior lighting, 19-inch wheels, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The contents of the Co-Pilot360 Assist are standard, as is a Bang and Olufsen audio system.
Compare Escape Trims Side-By-Side
Of the 2020 Ford Escape lineup, we like the SE Sport Hybrid. Besides its enticing list of standard features, the hybrid powertrain should help save some serious money at the pump if its estimated 550 miles of range holds true.