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To say the all-new 2013 Ford Escape is important to Ford is like saying Peyton Manning might be of some use to the Denver Broncos. Ford has sold more than 2 million of these little SUVs since its launch in 2000. It fights month-on-month with its archrival from Honda, the CR-V, for top sales honors. It's a necessity for Ford, especially in this era of soaring fuel prices, that the Escape continues to be a top performer.
So don't mess with a good thing, right? Wrong. With the 2013 Ford Escape set to arrive at dealers in May, the brand will unleash the first truly all-new Escape since the original. The global Escape (called the Kuga in some markets) is now based on the new Focus platform, and nearly every nut, bolt and body panel is new on this rig.
Unlike the original Escape, with its clean but very traditional two-box design, Ford's Kinetic philosophy now stands at the forefront of the Escape's message, with an in-your-face trapezoidal grille, rising beltline, sloping roof line and fancy head- and taillights, all of which make the outgoing Escape look like a prude school girl by comparison.
While styling sells, it's the engines that move you, and the 2013 Ford Escape has three from which to choose, two boasting the name EcoBoost — that's turbocharging to the rest of us.
So how worried should Honda (CR-V), Toyota (RAV4) and Kia (Sportage) be about the new, Kentucky-built Escape? We traveled to San Francisco for the national press launch to find out.
The Focus Giveth
The Escape's overall length is increased by 3.4 inches and it rides on a wheelbase that's some 2.8 inches longer than the 2012 Escape. An extra 1.3 inches of width combined with a 1.6-inch lower overall height helped the Ford design team hone the sporty shape they were looking for.
There's still plenty of room inside, even in the rear seat, which we found to have excellent head- and foot room and decent knee room. The 60/40-split/folding rear seat now has a simple one-touch lever for fold-flat ability, as well as a seatback recline function.
The wide front seats are exceedingly well-padded, with good bolstering for the seatback. Like the Focus, the Escape has a grippy, thick-rimmed steering wheel that adds to the SUV's sporty driving dynamics. And as with the Focus, interior quality is excellent, with soft-touch materials for the dash and door sills, along with well-padded door armrests and center armrest. We did notice an intermittent rattle in an early-production Titanium model, coming from the hard plastic center section of the dash.
Good Choices Are Good Choices
The 2013 Ford Escape will have three (count 'em) four-cylinder engine choices, all combined with six-speed automatics and, unfortunately, Ford's ultra-goofy lever-mounted rocker switch for manual shifting. Both the 2012 Honda CR-V and the all-new Mazda CX-5 make do with just one engine — a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter inline-4 with 185 horsepower and a five-speed automatic in the CR-V, and a 2.0-liter 155-hp four mated to either a six-speed manual or automatic on the CX-5.
Unlike with the current Escape, there won't be a hybrid, as the C-Max will take over that duty.
The 2.5-liter in the base Escape S ($23,295 including $825 destination) is basically the same engine as last year, now with 168 hp and 170 pound-feet of torque. Ford cares so little about this engine — probably because it's expected to make up less than 10 percent of the Escape mix — that it didn't have any on hand for us to try.
Feeling the Boost
That's OK, because it's neither the fuel economy leader nor the power champ of the group. The former distinction goes to the new, English-built 1.6-liter EcoBoost (estimated 23 city/33 highway mpg versus the CR-V's 23 city/31 highway), which makes its American debut in the 2013 Ford Escape SE ($25,895). It's packed with a turbo, direct injection and variable valve timing. Using 91-octane fuel it produces 178 hp at 5,700 rpm and 184 lb-ft of torque at just 2,500 and does so with little turbo lag and minimal noise. More importantly, it does a reasonable job of moving the 3,502-pound front-drive Escape (all-wheel drive is available for $1,750 in either EcoBoost model), but it surely won't blow you away with its power. The one oddity was a slight hiccup in the surge of power at about 4,500 rpm.
An extra $1,095 gets you the 2.0-liter EcoBoost with 240 hp at 5,500 rpm and 270 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm (also using 91-octane), replacing last year's 240-hp 3.0-liter V6. This is the same EcoBoost that's a bit overmatched in the 2012 Ford Explorer, which means it's absolutely terrific in the little Escape. This, friends, is the engine to get if you don't mind sacrificing a few miles per gallon (EPA rating of 22 city/30 highway/25 combined with FWD).
In uphill situations where the 1.6 needed either extra throttle or a downshift (or both), the prodigious torque of the 2.0 pulls the Escape through without a thought. It's also quieter and smoother, and offers good punch when you press the right pedal all the way to the floor. And the 2.0 enables a 3,500-pound towing capacity.
Handling the Curves
It was Ford's intention that the Escape be on the sporting side of the small SUV segment. Being based on the extremely competent-handling new Focus is a good start. Mind you, with its higher weight and a higher center of gravity you won't mistake the Escape for a Focus, but it's willing enough when the road begins to twist. The electric-assist steering doesn't have the spot-on feel of the Focus as it's a bit syrupy in its delivery, but body roll is reasonably well-controlled.
Things improve further in the Titanium model. Not just because of the 2.0 EcoBoost, but also because of the extra grip from the higher-performance all-season 19-inch tires and the ability of the (optional at this trim level) all-wheel-drive system to put the power down when exiting turns. Ride is taut but still supple enough. The shorter, stiffer sidewalls of the Titanium's 19-inch tires gave it a slightly more jittery ride than the 1.6 SE.
The brakes on the SE were touchy on initial application at low speeds, but pedal stroke was still long, and they didn't feel particularly powerful.
Certainly Ford has done some very solid work with the Escape's aero qualities (it's 10 percent more slippery than the outgoing model), as it exhibits very low wind and road noise.
Kicking the...Tailgate?
Ford says the 2013 Escape is available with "11 new exclusive features no other small SUV offers." These include a blind spot information system with cross-traffic alert, a power panoramic roof and a hands-free power liftgate system, or as we call it — the kick-to-open tailgate. That's right, after years of being told by your parents to never, ever use your foot to close a door, Ford now wants you to kick the tailgate to open or close it.
In reality, your foot never needs to touch the tailgate, but rather just swing under the bumper to set off a sensor provided you're carrying the key fob. It's part of an $1,895 option package on the Escape SEL. When it works, it's handy. But it didn't open for us on first kick every time. Maybe we're uncoordinated. Or really bad at soccer.
King of the Small SUVs
With more diverse and efficient engine choices, a nicer interior, sportier handling manners, unique available features and a new look that's sure to grab some stares, the 2013 Ford Escape is better in every way than the vehicle it replaces. Yes, it's a bit more expensive than before (the base model starts $1,030 higher), but there's also considerably more content.
Its primary competitors — Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 — can't match its engine choices, while the Kia Sportage and Toyota RAV4 can only dream about the Escape's interior refinement.
But here's the most intriguing aspect of the 2013 Escape story: Ford sold more Escapes in 2011 than ever — 254,293 units to be exact — trouncing the CR-V. Given those numbers and the 2013 model's specs, it might just be more useful to Ford than Manning is to the Broncos.
Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
Used 2013 Ford Escape listings and inventory:
Shop Edmunds' used car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million pre-owned vehicles to find a cheap used and certified pre-owned (CPO) 2013 Ford Escapes for sale near Ashburn VA. There are currently 1,688 used and CPO 2013 Escapes listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as 7,699 and mileage as low as 0. Simply research the type of used car, SUV, or truck you're interested in and then select a vehicle from our massive database to find cheap pre-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the used 2013 Ford Escape. Then select Edmunds' special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to 300 on a used or CPO 2013 Escape available from one of 2,633 dealerships in your area.
What's a good price on a used 2013 Ford Escape ?
Save up to $300 on one of 184 used 2013 Ford Escapes for sale at dealerships within 25 miles of Ashburn, Virginia with prices as low as $7999 as of Apr 20, 2018, based on data from 18 dealers and 54 consumer-driven dealer ratings ranging from 1.3 to 5 out of 5 stars.
Price comparisons for used 2013 Ford Escape trim styles:
The used 2013 Ford Escape SEL is priced around $13362 with average odometer reading of 71060 miles.
The used 2013 Ford Escape SE is priced around $13204 with average odometer reading of 64858 miles.
The used 2013 Ford Escape S is priced around $11363 with average odometer reading of 72070 miles.
The used 2013 Ford Escape Titanium is priced around $15513 with average odometer reading of 79369 miles.
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, Virginia. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
What options are available on the 2013 Ford Escape?
Available Ford Escape 2013 Submodel Types: SUV, Hybrid
Available Ford Escape 2013 Trims: XLT, Limited, SE, SEL, XLS, Titanium, S, Hybrid Limited, HEV, XLS Choice, XLS Popular, XLT Sport
Exterior Colors: Magnetic Metallic, Shadow Black, Oxford White, Blue Metallic, White Gold Metallic, Lightning Blue Metallic, Cinnamon Glaze, Sunset Metallic, Tuxedo Black Metallic, Sterling Grey Clearcoat Metallic, Ingot Silver Metallic, Black Clearcoat, Sterling Grey Metallic, Oxford White Clearcoat, Steel Blue Metallic, Redfire Clearcoat Metallic, White Platinum Tri-Coat Metallic, Ruby Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, Canyon Ridge Metallic, Tungsten Grey Clearcoat Metallic, Black, Blue Flame Metallic, White Suede Clearcoat, Sangria Red Metallic, Sport Blue Clearcoat Metallic, Deep Impact Blue Metallic, Karat Gold, Kodiak Brown Metallic, Silver Metallic Clearcoat, Dark Shadow Grey Clearcoat Metallic, Gold Leaf Metallic, Titanium Green Clearcoat Metallic, Norsea Blue Clearcoat Metallic, Electric Spice Metallic, Oxford White Clearcoat (Fleet), Frosted Glass Metallic, Toreador Red Metallic, Brilliant Silver Metallic Clearcoat, Gold Ash Clearcoat Metallic, Kiwi Clearcoat Metallic, Light Sage Clearcoat Metallic, Red Fire Clearcoat Metallic, Satin Silver Clearcoat Metallic, True Blue Clearcoat Metallic, Vista Blue Clearcoat Metallic, Aspen Green Clearcoat Metallic, Black Pearl Slate Clearcoat Metallic, Blazing Copper Clearcoat Metallic, Dune Pearl Clearcoat Metallic, Ginger Ale Metallic, Sonic Blue Clearcoat Metallic
Interior Colors: Charcoal Black leather/cloth, Medium Light Stone leather/cloth, Charcoal Black leather, Medium Light Stone leather, Charcoal Black premium leather, Medium Light Stone cloth, Charcoal Black cloth, Camel premium cloth, Charcoal Black premium cloth, Stone leather, Stone cloth, Medium Light Stone premium leather, Camel leather, Stone premium cloth, Medium/Dark Flint, Medium/Dark Flint premium cloth, Medium/Dark Pebble premium cloth, Medium Graphite, Medium Parchment, Medium/Dark Flint leather, Medium/Dark Pebble, Medium/Dark Pebble premium leather
Popular Features: Apple Carplay/Android Auto, Keyless Entry/Start, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Aux Audio Inputs, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Post-collision safety system, Rear Bench Seats, Stability Control, Tire Pressure Warning, Trip Computer, 3500lb Towing Capacity, Bluetooth, USB Inputs, Upgraded Stereo, Towing Hitch, AWD/4WD, Alarm, Auto Climate Control, Mobile Internet, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Heated seats, Leather Seats, Power Driver Seat, Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, Power Liftgate/Trunk, Parking sensors, Remote Start, Upgraded Headlights, Pre-collision safety system, Sunroof/Moonroof, Upgraded Engine, Navigation, Back-up camera, Blind Spot Monitoring
Engine/Mechanics: 6, 4 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC, MANUAL
Fuel Types: premium unleaded (recommended), flex-fuel (unleaded/E85), regular unleaded
Drivetrains: all wheel drive, front wheel drive, four wheel drive
Used 2013 Ford Escape Overview
The used 2013 Ford Escape is offered in the following submodels: SUV. Available styles include SE 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6A), SEL 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6A), and SE 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6A). Pre-owned Escape models are available with a 0-liter gas engine, with output up to 0 hp, depending on engine type. The used 2013 Escape comes with front wheel drive or all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 6-speed shiftable automatic.
