2021 Ford Escape

MSRP range: $24,885 - $36,155

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Ford Escape SE 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

7.7/10 Expert Rating

+40

8 Offers Near 20147

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MSRP	$26,575
Edmunds suggests you pay Based on nearby sales up through June 7th	$25,974

What Should I Pay

79 for sale near you

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2021

Ford Escape for Sale

2021 Ford Escape Review

Travis Langness

byTravis Langness

Pros

Roomy and comfortable seating
Smooth ride quality
Easy-to-use controls
Available hybrid powertrain that gets around 40 mpg

ConsWhat's new

The 2021 Ford Escape is a small SUV that competes against segment juggernauts including the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Redesigned just last year, this versatile crossover is roomier and more powerful than the previous Escape, while a range of new engines ensures there's a powertrain to fit any buyer's budget or needs. That is especially true of this year's model, which expands availability of the hybrid model to the SEL trim level.

On the inside, the Escape offers Ford's newest Sync infotainment interface — one of the most user-friendly touchscreen systems in the class. There's also a long list of available safety features. Among these is adaptive cruise control, which can now recognize speed limit signs and adjust the Escape's speed accordingly. Despite some drawbacks, such as clunky transmission shifts and poor handling capabilities, the Escape is a strong competitor in one of the toughest segments on the market.

Edmunds' Expert Rating
Rated for you by America’s best test team
Our verdict	7.7 / 10
The Ford Escape provides most of what you'd expect of a small SUV, including a roomy cabin, helpful technology features and very comfortable seats. Storage capability isn't mind-blowing, but it's certainly good enough. The Escape's few but significant drawbacks include unrefined transmission shifting and a lack of handling precision.
How does the Escape drive?	6.5
We tested the Escape SEL with the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. This engine makes plenty of power, allowing it to easily squirt through traffic and accelerate up to highway speeds. In Edmunds testing, our Escape covered 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds, which is better than most rival small SUVs with an upgraded engine. Unfortunately, the eight-speed automatic transmission shifts slowly and can be jerky with its upshifts. Downshifts are similar, and you'll feel multiple small shocks as you decelerate. Even the engine stop-start system bucks the Escape when it restarts the engine as you take your foot off the brake. It all feels terribly unrefined and like something that Ford should have fixed before putting the Escape on sale. The Escape's handling is disappointing too. It rolls a lot and has a ponderous feel as you go around turns. There's not much grip from the tires either. As for the steering, it's very light and low-effort in the default drive mode. Selecting Sport mode gives it more heft and makes it easier to figure out where the front wheels are pointed.
How comfortable is the Escape?	8.0
Overall, we're happy with the level of comfort the Escape offers. The front seats are well shaped and have a pleasing amount of cushioning. The rear seats are also comfortable and provide a suitable amount of thigh support for adults. While our SEL test vehicle was equipped with basic controls for the front passenger, the next-level Titanium adds a power-adjustable seat, which is a rarity in this class. Around town and on the highway, the Escape rides in a smooth and composed manner. It's also fairly quiet at speed, with road noise the prevailing source of sound intrusion. The SEL trim level only comes with a single-zone climate control system; most midgrade trims for small SUVs come with dual-zone control. Ventilated front seats and heated rears are not available on any Escape trim.
How’s the interior?	8.5
The Escape's cabin is functional and pleasantly laid out. The primary controls are easy to reach, and the steering wheel buttons take no time to decipher. The Sync 3 touchscreen interface is snappy and simple to operate as well. The driver's seat gives you a commanding view outward, and it's only mildly impeded by the rising beltline toward the rear. The seat itself offers numerous adjustments that make it a cinch to dial in the perfect position. On the downside, the door armrests are a touch too narrow. We're impressed by the Escape's use of space inside. There's plenty of room all around, and the deeply sculpted front seatbacks afford lots of knee room to rear passengers. Headroom might run out for very tall rear occupants on models with the panoramic sunroof. Other than the tall doorsills, there are no issues getting into or out of the Escape.
How’s the tech?	8.0
The Ford Escape's infotainment system is a highlight. The navigation setup is easy to use, quick to act, and shows you directional info when a point-of-interest search returns multiple locations (e.g., a Starbucks is 1 mile forward, or 0.5 mile to the left). The six-speaker system is excellent for a base system, producing clear audio and punchy bass. Smartphone integration, however, is a bit disappointing. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility isn't standard on every Escape, and there aren't many USB ports to charge your devices. The driving aids work well and almost all are standard. Though our test car wasn't equipped with it, experience with an Escape Titanium reveals that car's unique lane-centering feature works quite well on the highway, avoiding the "ping-ponging between the lanes" effect in rivals.
How’s the storage?	8.0
At 33.5 cubic feet, the Escape's cargo area is average for the segment. We like the low floor and high seatbacks, affording you a lot of vertical storage space before luggage cuts into rear visibility. The rear seats don't fold flat, but the outboard seat belts can be disengaged from their seat holsters so there's no obstruction while loading cargo. Interior storage is much better, with large cubbies in the front and sizable door pockets in the back. All cupholders have anti-tip tabs, which is fairly uncommon in this vehicle class. Easily accessible car-seat anchors and tethers, plus the large rear seat, make it a breeze to load a child safety seat. Escape models with the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine can tow up to 3,500 pounds, more than many small SUVs.
How economical is the Escape?	7.5
The Escape with the turbo 2.0-liter engine is rated at 26 mpg combined (23 city/31 highway). This is better than all other small SUVs with upgraded engines. Though the estimates are stellar, our observed fuel economy with our test vehicle fell short of expectations. We earned an average of 20.2 mpg over 187 miles of driving — mostly at city speeds but without much traffic.
Is the Escape a good value?	7.5
The Escape's interior has plenty of soft-touch plastics up front, while hard plastics are generally silver, gloss black or otherwise textured in a way that shows effort. The simulated leather upholstery is surprisingly convincing. The panel gaps are a little inconsistent and the interior door handles feel inexcusably cheap, but overall it's an appealing cabin for the price. Ford's pricing is competitive, though you'll often have to pay extra to get features that competitors offer on less expensive trims. Dual-zone climate control, for instance, only comes on the top-level Titanium trim. Ford offers basic warranty coverage for three years/36,000 miles, with powertrain coverage and roadside assistance for five years/60,000 miles. All are average for the class.
Wildcard	7.5
Remove the fish mouth-like front grille, and the redesigned Escape would look like any other small SUV on the market. The interior won't wow you at first glance either. But your appreciation of what the Escape offers will likely grow as you put it through the paces of everyday living. It's a perfectly serviceable small crossover SUV, and one that Ford can be proud of.

Which Escape does Edmunds recommend?

We like the generously equipped SEL model, though it's not the most wallet-friendly option in the Escape lineup. All three of the Escape's engines are available on the SEL, and it comes with creature comforts including heated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control. A bevy of option packages lets you customize the Escape to your heart's content.

Ford Escape models

The 2021 Escape is a small SUV available in four trim levels: S, SE, SEL and Titanium. By default, most trims are driven by a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine (181 horsepower, 190 lb-ft of torque) paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Standard for the Titanium and optional for the SE and SEL is a fuel-sipping 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain (200 total system horsepower) that drives the wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Those looking for more power can opt for the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (250 hp, 280 lb-ft) available on the SEL and Titanium trim levels. Front- or all-wheel drive is available with the three-cylinder and hybrid powertrains, while the turbo-four comes only with AWD.

Ford also offers an Escape with a plug-in version of the hybrid engine, the Escape PHEV. It's reviewed separately on Edmunds.

S
This base trim starts you off with:

17-inch steel wheels
4.2-inch central display screen
Height-adjustable driver's seat
Six-speaker sound system
Onboard Wi-Fi hotspot

Every Escape also comes with these safety features:

Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)

SE
Perks the Escape's content up with:

17-inch alloy wheels
Keyless ignition and entry
8-inch touchscreen
Satellite radio
Two rear USB ports
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility

Choosing the hybrid powertrain also adds dual-zone automatic climate control and an upgraded instrument cluster display. Other optional extras include:

Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package

Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
Evasive steering assist (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance)
Navigation system

Cold Weather package

Heated mirrors
Remote engine start
Automatic climate control
Heated steering wheel
Heated front seats

Convenience package

Upgraded headlights
Power liftgate
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Power driver's seat
Rear armrest

SE Sport Appearance package

19-inch black-painted wheels
Black exterior styling elements

Panoramic sunroof

SEL
Builds on the SE's standard equipment with:

Cold Weather package
Convenience package
18-inch wheels
LED headlights
Foglights
Roof rails
Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)
Imitation leather upholstery

A number of packages are also available for the SEL, including:

Technology package

Hands-free liftgate
Digital instrument panel
Driver-seat memory settings
10-speaker B&O premium sound system
Wireless charging pad

SEL Stealth AWD package (turbo four-cylinder engine only)

19-inch black-painted wheels
Black exterior styling elements
Faux suede seat inserts

Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package
Panoramic sunroof
Tow package (turbo four-cylinder and hybrid only)

Titanium
This top trim comes standard with the hybrid engine, though the turbo-four is also available. Other upgrades include:

Technology package (minus the charging pad)
Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package
19-inch wheels
LED foglights
Ambient lighting
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Power-adjustable passenger seat
Front parking sensors
Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with no driver intervention)

There are a few options for the Titanium, including:

Titanium Elite package

Panoramic sunroof
Chrome exterior accents
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Leather upholstery
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)

Panoramic sunroof
Tow package

Save as much as $1,141 with Edmunds

2021 Ford Escape pricing

in Ashburn, VA

S 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A)

S

1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A

$25,974

40 for sale in 20147

SE

1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A

$28,851

89 for sale in 20147

SE Sport 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT)

SE Sport

2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT

$31,102

8 for sale in 20147

2021 Ford Escape

S, SE, SE Sport, SEL and Titanium

msrp

SEL 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A)

SEL

1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A

$31,604

22 for sale in 20147

Titanium 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT)

Titanium

2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT

$36,254

24 for sale in 20147

See all for sale

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the 2021 Ford Escape.

Average user rating: 4.2 stars

5 total reviews

See all 5 reviews

5 star reviews: 60%

4 star reviews: 20%

3 star reviews: 0%

2 star reviews: 20%

1 star reviews: 0%

Trending topics in reviews

value
fuel efficiency
driving experience
reliability & manufacturing quality
ride quality
interior
lights
maintenance & parts
technology
dashboard
safety
wheels & tires
infotainment system
appearance
towing
comfort
seats

Most helpful consumer reviews

5/5 stars, Enjoyable Drive

PUMA, 04/28/2021

Titanium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT)

Personally like interior trim, smooth ride, and many extra features in the Titanium Hybrid. Added a hitch for small towing needs, installed by Ford. Factory installed would have been ideal but wasn’t in stock at time of purchase. I am particularly impressed with mileage. So far approx 43% of my overall miles are electric, however mostly short haul trips. No regrets! Very happy so

2/5 stars, Escape Headlights need reengineering as they leak

Mike Carey, 04/22/2021

S 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A)

The vehicle is ok. I wanted to buy an economy SUV, and buy American. I was really disappointed when my headlights fogged up in 7 months due to the supposed air flow and Ford said that it is normal and they won’t replace them. My new car now looks years old. Very disappointed with Ford customer service and learned a valuable lesson. Don’t buy this car.

5/5 stars, Great suv; love it!

CAS, 05/26/2021

SE 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A)

Love this suv, very easy to drive and love all the upgrades! Saving money on gas as well! My sis bought the same suv, we both agree loving the Ford Escape! My son has an older model and loves it as well! The price was right with the help of edmunds advise.

4/5 stars, Ford Fever

Matthew R, 05/19/2021

Titanium 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

Considered the Honda CRV but chose the redesigned Escape titanium version instead. Liked the stronger 250 hp engine and its traditional transmission versus CVT in the Honda. The tech features (nav, HUD, app, safety) are significantly newer and at 6' tall I seemed to have a bit more leg room in the cockpit. I also really liked the panoramic sunroof option and a bit more comfortable

See all 5 reviews

Helpful shopping links

2021 Ford Escape videos

2020 Ford Escape Review and First Drive

ELANA SCHERR: I feel like I start all my Ford reviews by reminding you that Ford said it wasn't going to build cars anymore. So even though the 2020 Ford Escape looks like a car, it's not one. It's a crossover. It's raised up. Does the Ford Escape deliver on that promise to be both the best of both car and SUV? We're in Louisville, Kentucky, which is the birthplace of the Ford Escape-- really, it's built right around the corner from here-- to find out. Whether you're shopping for a car or an SUV or an SUV that looks like a car, we can help you at Edmunds.com. So the focus of the Ford Escape-- and no, that wasn't a Ford pun. Although it could have been because the Escape kind of looks car-like, and it's supposed to drive car-like. So they took weight out of it, and they lowered the center of gravity. It has a lower roof line than most SUVs. And all of that is supposed to make it more fun to drive on the road, more appealing to people who are coming out of sedans. One of our complaints about the previous Escape was that it didn't have a good ride quality. And it also didn't get very good fuel economy. Now, with the 2020 Escape, they're offering four different engine options, and two of them are hybrids. So you can pretty much guarantee that at least two of them are going to offer good fuel economy. As for ride quality, have they improved it? I'd say yes. It feels light, and the word nimble was thrown around a lot in the press release. But I'd say it's applicable. There are several different driving modes. And they do change the characteristics of the car. There's an eco mode, a normal mode, a sport mode, and then some snow and ice slippery modes. Now, most of the time what driving modes do is they adjust how the traction control works on the car. They can also affect how quick the throttle response is. In performance cars, the modes also affect the steering feel. And the Escape has that, too. However, I didn't notice it at first when I was doing this test drive because I had the lane centering on. Lane centering is one of those semi-autonomous new technologies that helps keep the car in the center of the lines so that you're not bouncing around inside the lane. I think that stuff is really great. But it does affect the driving feel of the car. And once I turned that lane centering off, I enjoyed driving this car a lot more. With it on, I felt like the steering was kind of light and twitchy. And with it off, it has felt much more dynamic. If you're economy minded, you'll probably go with the three cylinder 1.5 liter. And if you're really interested in the new technologies, you'll pick either the hybrid or the plug-in hybrid. For those of you who like a little performance oomph in your driving, you're going to want to go with the two liter turbo four cylinder EcoBoost, which is what is in this right now, backed by an 8 speed automatic transmission. It makes more than 235 horsepower, and with 200 pounds of weight savings in the 2020 Escape, you can really feel the difference. It's down-right zippy. If you've read up on the Escape at all, you might have seen a reference to high strength steel. And the reason why that matters is, if you have a stronger material, you can use less of it. And the way that that is shown in the Escape is in how thin these pillars are like, if they're smaller, if they're thinner, you can see around them more. They're not blocking as much of your view. So the visibility is great in the Escape. And that's something that they really tried to do, and they did it. I'm not going to give them all the props, though, because there are two visibility complaints that I have. One of which is that the angle of the windshield is super reflective of the dash. And the other is that this heads up display that they've got going on here with is kind of janky. There are definitely more sophisticated ways to do it that don't involve having a little piece of sunglass sticking up in your view all the time. Ford does a good job integrating new technology into their cars. And the Escape has a lot of examples of that. Know it's got emergency braking. It even has emergency evasive steering, which I am not going to test for you. But in theory, it would help me steer around an obstacle if I was about to hit something. I don't know if it's just because we're in the Titanium and it's got the big fancy wheels, but there is so much tire noise in here. When it comes to handling and breaking in the Escape, I haven't really thought about it that much on this drive, which, really, I think is exactly what you would want out of a small SUV. I mean, I didn't buy it to go racing. I bought it to go commuting with people in it and be comfortable. And it's all of those things. Ford's trying something different with the Escape. Instead of the straight lines and kind of like beefy stance of a traditional SUV, sort of smooth and friendly looking. In fact, the front end is downright cute. I don't have any problem with cute cars. I mean, Volkswagen bug, anybody? Yeah, they do great. If you're not into cute and you want a tougher looking SUV, Ford is making something called the-- what was it? Oh, yeah, Bronco. That's for you. This Escape is all about offering you options. So if it's cargo space you need, Ford has made it pretty easy to switch from people hauler to stuff carrier. There are some things I really like about the Escape's interior. There's a lot of space in here. I never feel cramped. The seats are comfortable. I think there's some nice trim options like this wood grain here. Ford did take some design risks in the Escape, which is not something that I normally associate with Ford. I usually feel like its interiors are very plain and conservative. But we've got a lot of different materials going here, different colors. I like all of that. There's this pattern here in the door which, honestly, kind of reminds me of cellulite. But hey, that's very body positive. And I'm down with that. The base Escape with the 1.5 liter three cylinder starts around $25,000. The Titanium here, with its optional all wheel drive and turbo charged two liter plus other goodies like leather trim and this panoramic sunroof, will set you back almost $40,000. So there's a huge price range across the different Escape trim levels. There are a lot of storage space for small things up here. But anyone who's ever had a big purse knows that that can also be a curse like the storage in the door is huge. And it goes all the way back in the door panel, which basically just means that you will lose like 17 pairs of sunglasses in this car. There's some trick stuff in the console. The cup holders light up, which is fancy. This car doesn't have it, but there is a charging pad coming. That's going to be good because currently the standard USB is all the way over here. And so then your cord runs across your whole business. Really, it's better guys if you can charge everything up here and then tuck the cord away. But an inductive charging pad will solve that. So when that's an option, you should get it, and everything will be nice and clean. Ford always does a good job in laying out the controls for infotainment and safety features. It wasn't hard to find things. The stuff that I wanted to turn off like the lane centering, which sucks and I hate it, I didn't have to go searching for very long, and it was easy. There are actual knobs for volume and radio tuning, no problem to set the temperature however you want it. And the air conditioning is very good, which has been great during this extremely hot and humid adventure in Kentucky. The Ford Escape is wider and longer than the previous model. But unlike most SUV redesigns, it's not taller. It's actually got a lower roof line. So I was a little worried about whether there would be enough headroom in here-- not for me, obviously. I'm like so short-- but for normal sized people. As it turns out, I think you could be tall and still fit in here fine. Plus, I have plenty of leg room here. But if I didn't, I could fix it with the sliding rear row. Not only is the sliding second row super fun and giving you more leg room, but if you don't need that, you can just slide them forward. And then you have more cargo room. So after spending a day in the Ford Escape, is it good to go or see you later? Hmm, a little bit of both. There are other small SUVs is that do luxury better. Mazda, I'm looking at you. But there are certainly a bunch that do it worse. And I really like the styling. It stands out. I like the idea that you can have a car and an SUV, have enough space, but not have like a big monster machine. It's going to be interesting to see where Ford takes the Escape. This is a brand new redesign, and I think they have big plans for this little SUV.

2020 Ford Escape Review and First Drive

NOTE: This video is about the 2020 Ford Escape, but since the 2021 Ford Escape is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.

The 2020 Ford Escape has been redesigned to look more like a car yet still offers the increased cargo space and higher driving position of an SUV.

2020 Ford Escape Review and First Drive

2020 Ford Escape First Look

Features & Specs

Trim

Base MSRP: $24,885

MPG & Fuel: 28 City / 34 Hwy / 30 Combined; Fuel Tank Capacity: N/A capacity

Seating: 5 seats

Drivetrain: Type: front wheel drive; Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Engine: Inline 3 cylinder; Horsepower: 181 hp @ 6000 rpm; Torque: 190 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm

Basic Warranty: 3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Dimensions: Length: 180.5 in. / Height: 66.1 in. / Width: 74.1 in.; Curb Weight: 3298 lbs.; Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 33.5 cu.ft.

See all features & specs

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At a Glance:

10 Colors
5 Trims
$24,885starting MSRP

Safety

Our experts’ favorite Escape safety features:

Evasive Steering Assist: Provides additional steering effort to avoid a potential collision if it can't be prevented by braking alone.
Lane-Keeping System: Alerts the driver when the car starts to drift out of its lane by vibrating the steering wheel and adding correctional steering if needed.
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS): Illuminates an indicator light in the side mirror when a vehicle enters the blind spot. Also includes integrated rear cross-traffic alert.

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Side Impact Test	Good
Roof Strength Test	Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint	Good
IIHS Small Overlap Front Test	Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test	Good

Ford Escape vs. the competition

2021 Ford Escape

2021 Ford Escape

2021 Honda CR-V

2021 Honda CR-V

Ford Escape vs. Honda CR-V

The Escape is a strong competitor in the small SUV segment, but the Honda CR-V is our top choice. It offers massive cargo space, punchy acceleration, impressive handling and a comfortable interior. Some shoppers might prefer Ford's Sync infotainment system to Honda's slightly finicky user interface, but as an overall package, the CR-V gets our thumbs-up. Read Edmunds' long-term road test of the Honda CR-V.

Compare Ford Escape & Honda CR-V features

Ford Escape vs. Mazda CX-5

If you're looking for a refined interior and an engaging driving experience — a luxury SUV without the luxury price tag, perhaps — the Mazda CX-5 is an excellent choice. It can't match the Escape for on-road comfort and it falls a bit behind when it comes to cargo space, but the CX-5's interior design and quality construction are second to none. Read Edmunds' long-term road test of the Mazda CX-5.

Compare Ford Escape & Mazda CX-5 features

Ford Escape vs. Nissan Rogue

Redesigned for 2021, the Nissan Rogue is comfortable and packed with standard features. It offers a lot of value for the money. The Rogue's updated interior feels much classier than the cabins of previous models and uses premium materials across the lineup. The Rogue isn't as quiet as the Escape and it doesn't have as much rear passenger space, but these two small crossovers are pretty evenly matched.

Compare Ford Escape & Nissan Rogue features

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FAQ

Is the Ford Escape a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2021 Escape both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.7 out of 10. You probably care about Ford Escape fuel economy, so it's important to know that the Escape gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg to 41 mpg, depending on the configuration. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that carrying capacity for the Escape ranges from 30.7 to 33.5 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Ford Escape. Learn more

What's new in the 2021 Ford Escape?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Ford Escape:

Hybrid powertrain now available on SEL trim
Traffic sign recognition added to models with adaptive cruise control
Minor shuffling of trim and package features
Part of the fourth Escape generation introduced for 2020

Is the Ford Escape reliable?

To determine whether the Ford Escape is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Escape. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Escape's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2021 Ford Escape a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2021 Ford Escape is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2021 Escape and gave it a 7.7 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2021 Escape is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2021 Ford Escape?

The least-expensive 2021 Ford Escape is the 2021 Ford Escape S 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $24,885.

Other versions include:

S 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $24,885
SE 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $26,610
SE 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $28,110
S 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $26,385
Titanium 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) which starts at $33,300
Titanium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) which starts at $34,800
SE Sport 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) which starts at $29,105
SEL 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $29,205
SE Sport 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) which starts at $27,605
SEL 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $30,705
SEL 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $32,905
Titanium 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $36,155
SEL 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) which starts at $30,200
SEL 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) which starts at $31,700

What are the different models of Ford Escape?

If you're interested in the Ford Escape, the next question is, which Escape model is right for you? Escape variants include S 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A), SE 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A), SE 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A), and S 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A). For a full list of Escape models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more

More about the 2021 Ford Escape

2021 Ford Escape Overview

The 2021 Ford Escape is offered in the following submodels: Escape SUV, Escape Hybrid. Available styles include S 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A), SE 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A), SE 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A), S 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A), Titanium 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT), Titanium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT), SE Sport 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT), SE Sport 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT), SEL 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A), SEL 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A), SEL 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A), Titanium 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A), SEL 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT), and SEL 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT). Ford Escape models are available with a 1.5 L-liter gas engine, with output up to 181 hp, depending on engine type. The 2021 Ford Escape comes with front wheel drive, and all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 8-speed automatic. The 2021 Ford Escape comes with a 3 yr./ 36000 mi. basic warranty, a 5 yr./ 60000 mi. roadside warranty, and a 5 yr./ 60000 mi. powertrain warranty.

What do people think of the 2021 Ford Escape?

Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2021 Ford Escape and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2021 Escape 4.2 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2021 Escape.

Edmunds Expert Reviews

Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2021 Ford Escape and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2021 Escape featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.

Our Review Process

This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.

We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.

What's a good price for a New 2021 Ford Escape?

2021 Ford Escape S 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A)

The 2021 Ford Escape S 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $26,575. The average price paid for a new 2021 Ford Escape S 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) is trending $601 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.

Edmunds members save an average of $601 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $25,974.

The average savings for the 2021 Ford Escape S 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) is 2.3% below the MSRP.

Available Inventory:

We are showing 79 2021 Ford Escape S 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) vehicle(s) available in the in the Ashburn area.

2021 Ford Escape SE 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A)

The 2021 Ford Escape SE 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $29,595. The average price paid for a new 2021 Ford Escape SE 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) is trending $744 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.

Edmunds members save an average of $744 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $28,851.

The average savings for the 2021 Ford Escape SE 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) is 2.5% below the MSRP.

Available Inventory:

We are showing 178 2021 Ford Escape SE 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) vehicle(s) available in the in the Ashburn area.

2021 Ford Escape SE Sport 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT)

The 2021 Ford Escape SE Sport 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $31,940. The average price paid for a new 2021 Ford Escape SE Sport 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) is trending $838 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.

Edmunds members save an average of $838 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $31,102.

The average savings for the 2021 Ford Escape SE Sport 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) is 2.6% below the MSRP.

Available Inventory:

We are showing 16 2021 Ford Escape SE Sport 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) vehicle(s) available in the in the Ashburn area.

2021 Ford Escape SEL 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A)

The 2021 Ford Escape SEL 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $32,495. The average price paid for a new 2021 Ford Escape SEL 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) is trending $891 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.

Edmunds members save an average of $891 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $31,604.

The average savings for the 2021 Ford Escape SEL 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) is 2.7% below the MSRP.

Available Inventory:

We are showing 43 2021 Ford Escape SEL 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) vehicle(s) available in the in the Ashburn area.

2021 Ford Escape Titanium 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT)

The 2021 Ford Escape Titanium 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $37,395. The average price paid for a new 2021 Ford Escape Titanium 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) is trending $1,141 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.

Edmunds members save an average of $1,141 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $36,254.

The average savings for the 2021 Ford Escape Titanium 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) is 3.1% below the MSRP.

Available Inventory:

We are showing 47 2021 Ford Escape Titanium 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) vehicle(s) available in the in the Ashburn area.

Which 2021 Ford Escapes are available in my area?

Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2021 Ford Escape for sale near. There are currently 363 new 2021 Escapes listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $26,130 and mileage as low as 0 miles. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the 2021 Ford Escape. Then select Edmunds special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to $4,296 on a used or CPO 2021 Escape available from a dealership near you.

Can't find a new 2021 Ford Escapes you want in your area? Consider a broader search.

Find a new Ford for sale - 10 great deals out of 19 listings starting at $14,232.

Why trust Edmunds?

Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color.

What is the MPG of a 2021 Ford Escape?

2021 Ford Escape S 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A), 8-speed automatic, regular unleaded
30 compined MPG,
28 city MPG/34 highway MPG

2021 Ford Escape SE 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A), 8-speed automatic, regular unleaded
30 compined MPG,
28 city MPG/34 highway MPG

2021 Ford Escape SE 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A), 8-speed automatic, regular unleaded
28 compined MPG,
26 city MPG/31 highway MPG

EPA Est. MPG	30
Transmission	8-speed automatic
Drive Train	front wheel drive
Displacement	1.5 L
Passenger Volume	N/A

Wheelbase	106.7 in.
Length	180.5 in.
Width	74.1 in.
Height	66.1 in.
Curb Weight	3298 lbs.

Should I lease or buy a 2021 Ford Escape?

Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.

Check out Ford lease specials

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