2020 Ford Escape Review

Name: 2020 Ford Escape Review
Brand: Ford
Price: 13200 USD

Ford Escape Titanium 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

+334

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.

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2020 Ford Escape Review

byDan Frio^{Correspondent
Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to Edmunds, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.}

Pros

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

Cons

Transmission's abrupt and noticeable shifts
Lackluster handling and generally not much fun to drive

What's new

The Ford Escape is fully redesigned
Hybrid version is back after a prolonged absence
Improved power and acceleration
Kicks off the fourth Escape generation

Overview

Ford has redesigned its popular Escape small SUV for 2020. As before, it's a sensible and practical vehicle that can do just about anything you need it to. Bigger than Ford's EcoSport SUV but smaller than the three-row Explorer, the Escape competes against other well-known models such as the Chevrolet Equinox, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Ford Escape S 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.05 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$128/mo

$177/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

A revamped exterior design gives the Escape a sportier look for 2020, and there's a roomier interior. The rear seat, in particular, has plenty of legroom, which is great for adults or parents looking to install a bulky child safety seat. Other highlights of the new Escape include an easy-to-use infotainment touchscreen, plenty of advanced driver safety features, and a new hybrid version that promises around 40 mpg in combined city/highway driving.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Good

7.7

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

6.5/10

How does the Escape drive? 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 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.

Comfort

8/10

How comfortable is the Escape? 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.

Interior

8.5/10

How’s the interior? 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 a tall doorsill, there are no issues getting into or out of the Escape.

Technology

8/10

How’s the tech? 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.

Storage

8/10

How’s the storage? 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 impedes on 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.

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? 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.

Value

7.5/10

Is the Escape a good value? 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

7.5/10

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?

The Escape offers a decent set of standard features on each trim level and a host of available options. The latter can add up, however, often to an eye-popping price for a small SUV. The SEL trim is a good way to keep things in check. It comes with all of the lower trim features (power-adjustable driver's seat, Sync 3 infotainment) and adds other desirable items such as a hands-free liftgate, roof rails, rear parking sensors and a heated steering wheel.

2020 Ford Escape models

The 2020 Escape is a small SUV available in five trim levels: S, SE, SE Sport, SEL and Titanium. Three engines are available depending on the trim you pick. You'll need to pay a little attention when shopping; one of them is a hybrid, and Ford doesn't explicitly call it out. Feature highlights include:

S
This base trim starts you off with:

181-horsepower turbocharged three-cylinder engine
Eight-speed automatic transmission
Standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive
4.2-inch central display screen
Two USB ports
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 keeping assist (steers the car back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
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
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Heated front seats
Single-zone automatic climate control system
8-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration

SE Sport
A hybrid that comes with:

Hybrid powertrain with a four-cylinder engine (200 hp)
Continuously variable automatic transmission
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Digital gauge cluster display

SEL
Switches back to the turbocharged three-cylinder engine and adds:

Hands-free liftgate
18-inch wheels
Remote start
Rear parking sensors
Heated steering wheel
Driver-seat memory settings

Titanium
This top-trim comes standard with the hybrid engine. It also has:

19-inch wheels
LED headlights
Dual-zone climate control system
Leather upholstery
Power-adjustable front passenger seat
Premium sound system
Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with no driver intervention)
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)

Optional for the SEL and Titanium:

Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (250 hp) with all-wheel drive
Panoramic sunroof

All-wheel drive is otherwise optional on all other Escapes. Ford also offers an Escape with a plug-in version of the hybrid engine, the Escape PHEV. It's reviewed separately on Edmunds.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Above Average

#14 out of 29 among Compact SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Ford Escape from 2008-2022.}

$480/yr

vs. $465/yr
for Average Compact SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.98x/yr

vs. 1x/yr
for Average Compact SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

11.8%

vs. 11.5%
for Average Compact SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2020 Ford Escape.

5 (56%)

4 (13%)

3 (10%)

2 (8%)

1 (13%)

3.9

142 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Solid, Fast, Lots of extras

Bill, Bear Delaware, 07/01/2020

2020 Ford Escape Titanium 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT)

I purchased a Ford Escape Titanium Hybrid five months ago. I am vey please with my purchase. I have owned several new vehicles over the years. I was about to buy a Honda CR-V and then drove the Escape. Ford has shown and eye for detail to the little things that add up to a great driving experience. My criteria was Adaptive Cruse Control, quit ride, good acceleration, braking, styling, …

I was impressed...so I bought one.

Darlene and Marty (AKA Darty), 03/06/2020

2020 Ford Escape Titanium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT)

In the past few years I had a 2010 Escape hybrid and a 2019 Escape (turbo) as work vehicles. I rated them as 'just ok' but have to say the 2010 was doing very well for a nine year old vehicle. I test drove the 2020 Escape Titanium hybrid and wrote up a full price offer the next day. I had already driven most of the other hybrids that were available including the Rav4 which became my …

SE Sport Hybrid - The best 2020 Escape

Phaedrus, 03/07/2020

2020 Ford Escape SE Sport 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT)

Wife and I each test-drove the SEL, SE Hybrid, and Titanium Hybrid. We drove them on both a sunny day and a rainy day. The handling, acceleration, and braking impressed us. The Titanium trim was beyond our price range. I was trading in my 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid; so, I was very interested in the new hybrid model. I prefer a 4-cylinder over a three. So, we decided on the SE Sport … Hybrid trim. We like the host of safety features, the myriad of information displays, the Sync3 system, and the large and high entertainment screen. I really like the dial-transmission and digital displays. The controls are mostly laid out well. Single climate zone. Heat works well; defrosters work well. Fan speeds are a bit too low. The hybrid operation is very seamless and quiet. The gas engine emits a bit of a growl when you push it. I’m averaging the advertised 40mpg overall, and have frequently exceeded that figure on trips of 13 to 20 miles. The “sport” in SE is evident when one switches from Normal or Eco mode to Sport. The acceleration is great. This can be a fun car to drive if you want to sacrifice a bit of fuel economy. The front seats are comfortable (I’m average height). The rear seats can be moved forward or back, depending on where you need the space—passenger or cargo area. Cargo space meets our needs. I easily fit 16 50-pound bags of heating pellets in the cargo area with the seats down. Our dealer actually told us not to buy a remote starter; said to use the Ford App; saved us several hundred bucks. One USB-C slot and one USB; could use more. Model comes with Apple CarPlay and the Android equivalent. Even has a wifi hotspot. Other reviews mention how the model comes with a tire inflation kit instead of a spare tire. I went to a tire store and bought a tire and rim, which went into the rear 12-volt battery compartment. The added weight doesn’t seem to have affected my mpg. We agree with multiple reviewers how the interior plastics look cheap, but that “concern?” was way down our list. Our priorities were cargo space and mpg and price. The SE Sport Hybrid hot the sweet spot for us. Update - September 2020: Here we are nine months later. So, how do we feel about the car, now? Great. People still remark on the styling and color. We average 40mpg overall. I enjoy driving it for long distances and my wife enjoys being a passenger. In other words, the seats are very good. No mechanical problems. We still are very happy with our choice. Update March 2021: We’ve had the car for over a year and a quarter; driven around 6700 miles. We use it mostly for longer in-state trips. No problems to report. We are still very happy with the car. Update June 2021: Drove approx 320 miles from Boston area to Mount Desert Island in Maine. MPG driving there was around 42. We drove approx 137 miles around the island over three days; filled up just before driving home—-2.2 gallons! On way home, our mpg was approx 48! No problems; after a year and a half, very happy.

2020 Escape Hybrid Titanium AWD

Geo, 05/22/2020

2020 Ford Escape Titanium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT)

We ended up purchasing this vehicle, and we do not regret it. After testing Toyota, Mazda, Honda we believe this was the best fit. The design is great and the interior with the digital instrument cluster makes for a great view of everything you need in front of you. The vehicle around the city averages around 48-55mpg, which is very impressive. Trunk space is very sufficient for the size …

See all 142 reviews of the Ford Escape

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2020 Ford Escape videos

2020 Ford Escape Review and First Drive

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 Escape Highlights

Type:

SUV

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$24,885
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	30 MPG
Cost to Drive	$128/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	33.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Escape models:

Evasive Steering Assist: Provides additional steering effort to avoid a potential collision if it can't be avoided 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.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover16.9%

IIHS Rating

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

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Marginal
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2020 Ford Escape Review

2020 Ford Escape Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Ford Escape S 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.05 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Escape does Edmunds recommend?

2020 Ford Escape models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Solid, Fast, Lots of extras

I was impressed...so I bought one.

SE Sport Hybrid - The best 2020 Escape

2020 Escape Hybrid Titanium AWD

2020 Ford Escape videos

2020 Ford Escape Review and First Drive

2020 Escape Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Ford Escape S 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.05 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}