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2024 Kia Soul Review2020 Ford Escape: Looks Great. Goes Faster.
The 2020 Ford Escape gets an all-new design to level up with the competition. Find out if the new tech and beauty treatment tempt you to consider it.
What’s New for the 2020 Ford Escape
For 2020, Ford gives us and all-new Escape with a more aerodynamic exterior, a new turbocharged 3-cylinder engine, and an updated interior that’s better in every way.
If you see it in a photo, you may think it’s a hatchback. Its nose and grille no longer look like its big brother Explorer but more like a Ford Fiesta. It’s a different yet nice look for an SUV, but we wouldn’t necessarily call it rugged.
With new technology and safety features, Ford has produced an Escape that will gallantly fight its up-and-coming competition for your new car dollar.
Let’s take some time and find out if it’s a winner for you.
2020 Ford Escape – media.ford.com | Shop 2020 Ford Escape on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
New design language is appreciated
Larger interior than past years
Better gas mileage
Great options for engines
Cylinder deactivation is abrupt
2020 Ford Escape Specs
- 0-60 mph in 8.4 seconds
- 180 horsepower from base engine
- 177 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 6 available trims
- 37.5 cu-ft. of cargo capacity
- 65.4 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- Towing capacity of up to 3,500 lbs
2020 Ford Escape Powertrain
For 2020, the Ford Escape S is pulled by a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-three-cylinder. And it’s tiny in size. But even though three-cylinders sounds small, it produces 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque. In your daily driving, that’s more than enough to power the Escape. That horsepower and torque rating is about the same as the new Hyundai Tucson and the Escape doesn’t weigh as much.
Assisted by the smooth and quick-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission, the Escape can move from 0-60 in 7.7 seconds. So it’s no slouch. That’s almost 3 seconds faster than the 2019 model and a full second faster than the 2020 Tucson. Assisting on the power front is Ford’s drive select modes of Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, and Snow/Sand. Each one changes the engine and transmission mapping and adjusts the throttle response.
We loved the Sport mode and didn’t mind the cute but unnecessary animation on the 12.3-inch LCD instrument panel. However, we wonder if the animation will get old over time.
For more power, you have to move up to the Titanium or all-wheel-drive SEL, which has some fast genetics for a 5.7-second 0-60. Just know that its 250 horsepower and 280 lb.-ft of torque carry a price tag between $2,000-$3,000 depending on choosing the SEL AWD or Titanium. So you have to want it pretty badly.
In the all-new update of the 2020 Escape, Ford also massaged, lengthened, and stiffened the chassis. The side benefit is a stable platform for ride and handling improvements. Although we didn’t get to take the 2020 Escape on a long ride, driving around some rather rough surface streets showed us that Ford upped their game on a smooth and quietly isolated ride.
Hybrid
If you’re looking for something completely different in the engine area, you’ll want the very efficient and not very expensive $29,450 SE Sport Hybrid and $34,595 Titanium Hybrid.
We didn’t get to drive the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder and two electric motor hybrid powertrain, but Ford says it’s good for 30 miles of non-gasoline combustion operation. Like other hybrids, Ford uses the brakes to regenerate current for the battery. All of this gives you up to 44 mpg which, with our current gas prices, isn’t a bad thing to have.
Towing & Payload
Towing isn’t really a focus – pun intended – for the Escape, but with the 2.0-liter, Ford says you can tow 3500 pounds. With the 1.5-liter, it’s impressive that you can pull 2000 pounds, and the hybrids can tug only 1500.
2020 Ford Escape Fuel Economy & MPG
the 2022 Escape’s EPA fuel-economy ratings vary depending on your engine. The 1.5-liter will give you around 27 in the city and 33 mpg highway. The 2,0-liter does 23 in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. For the hybrid, Ford says the Titanium and SEL will get 44 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. Of course, the harder you press the accelerator, the less mpg you’ll get. A 5.7 sec 0-60 never gets old, so plan your fuel fill-ups accordingly.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
The 2020 Escape is a very comfy ride. It’s what memory foam would be if it were a car. Even with the 19-inch wheels on the Titanium, there was no harshness transmitted to the interior and the ride was very quiet.
And the interior shows Ford’s effort to separate itself from its past low-end-looking designs and materials. However, it does look as if Ford grabbed a Ford Focus dash from the discontinued parts bin and dropped it in. That’s not a bad thing, but you’ll come to the same conclusion if you look at the two.
With that being said, the cloth fabrics have a better feel than the 2019 Escape, and you see the attention to detail in the soft-touch dash plastics. Even the leather feels like genuine leather. With the competition upping its design and material quality game, it’s nice to see Ford responding to consumer’s demands.
You have cloth seats on the S, SE, and the Escape SEL has a leather lookalike called ActiveX. The Titanium will be your only leather choice. Regardless of the material, you’ll find the seats to be comfortable and supportive enough. We wish that Ford would have taken the Focus seats with the dashboard since the 2020 Escape cushions are flatter than we would have liked. Maybe the side bolsters would have hindered easily sliding in and out.
Of course, the benefit of an SUV is using all that available space in the back. And that’s where the Escape picks up some points. Compared to its compact SUV competition, the 2020 Escape is one of the larger interiors you’ll find and very similar to the new Hyundai Tucson. There are 34 cubic feet behind the second row when you leave enough legroom for a taller adult. With the 60/40 row collapsed, you get 65 cubic feet. You wouldn’t be packing five happy adults if you’re going on a trip, but four people and their luggage would be more than comfortable. Be aware that the Hybrid versions lose a couple of inches of space in width, length, and height because of the battery and motor assemblies.
Entertainment & Technology
If you compare the 2020 Escape with the 2019 version, you’ll be happy with what Ford has done. The eight-inch touchscreen on the dash is larger on the upper trims, and you can opt in the 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. As lovely as that panel is, we were disappointed that Ford didn’t offer a larger touchscreen on the Titanium. Yes, it would require retooling the design, but the competition is fierce these days.
One of the interior benefits is Ford’s SYNC 3 system. After SYNC went through some hiccups when it first appeared back in the day, SYNC 3 is quick, works very well, and now includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Alexa, and Waze navigation.
For some extra grins, order the Bang & Olufsen audio system. Its 575 watts of power sounds good through the sub-woofer and ten speakers around the interior. Maybe in the next generation, Ford could ask Bang & Olufsen to do the Escapes interior design.
Safety Features
Ford includes their standard Co-Pilot system on every trim. It consists of a rearview camera, blind-spot warnings, lane-keeping assist, and emergency braking with pedestrian detection.
Optional features on all trim except the Titanium, include adaptive cruise control with a stop-and-go feature, lane centering, and Active Park Assist 2.0, which will park your car while you’re in it.
For 2020, IIHS gave the Escape a Top Safety Pick rating when optioned with the brighter and better LED headlamps.
2020 Ford Escape Trims & Pricing
S – $24,885
A new 1.5-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder powers the 2020 Ford Escape S, while the interior comes with cloth trim, a six-way manual driver seat, and a four-way adjustable passenger seat. Even though the steering wheel is urethane, it feels nice and has audio control plus cruise controls. A 4-inch touchscreen and standard six-speaker audio system provide your entertainment. The S also comes standard with Ford’s 360 safety system.
SE – $27,105
Moving to the SE, you get a 10-way heated driver’s seat, automatic climate control, and an 8-inch touchscreen with the Sync 3 system. Outside you get LED daytime running lights and heated mirrors.
SE Sport Hybrid – $28,265
The 2020 Ford Escape SE Sport hybrid gives you the very efficient 2.5-liter IVCT Atkinson Cycle 4-cylinder with some great mpg. The significant change on the interior is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that also provides animation for each drive select mode you choose. The leather steering wheel pilots some nice 19-inch wheels.
SEL – $29,265
For the Escape SEL, you’ll have the standard 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine, which we like. But if you want more power, there’s Ford’s 250 horsepower 2.0-liter. There’s not that big of a jump between other equipment on the SE Sport and the SEL, but you will get Ford’s ActiveX upholstery and foot sensing automatic tailgate. Ford says ActiveX fits perfectly into your active lifestyle, with its durability, stain resistance, and ability to maintain a premium look and feel.
Titanium – $36,435
Once you choose the 2.0-liter non-hybrid or 2.5-liter hybrid, the Titanium’s have the same equipment. The Escape Titanium’s dual-zone HVAC with two rear vents and leather interior are the most noticeable improvements. The B&O sound system and ambient lighting also add to the luxury feel of the interior. It’s no Lincoln, but for the Escape, it’s pretty nice. Ford has the full Pro Pilot Assist+ as standard on the Titanium. It includes a “park for you” feature that’s helpful in those tight parallel parking spaces.
Titanium Hybrid – $33,550
The 2020 Ford Escape Titanium comes with the gas stingy 2.5-liter IVCT Atkinson Cycle 4-cylinder and 12.3-inch digital instrument high-definition cluster. AWD lets you travel safely in all weather. Heated leather seats and heated leather steering wheel makes the Titanium the luxury choice.
Warranties
Ford doesn’t make a big deal out of its warranty, and you can’t even find it on the Ford Escape’s model page on their website. That should tell you something. However, when you locate it on a Google search, you find its 3 yr/36,000 mi basic, 5 yr/60,000 mi powertrain is similar to the other US makes and even Honda. Ford does offer 24/7 roadside service during the warranty period that’s tied to an innovative phone app. The app helps you to quickly call the number and provides the service with your exact location.
What we think
2020 Ford Escape – media.ford.com | Shop 2020 Ford Escape on Carsforsale.com
The compact SUV market is hyper-competitive and has a rapid model refresh rate. Compared to Ford’s previous Escape, the 2020 Escape looks and feels light years ahead. But, other than Chevy, the competition is even further down the road in style and technology. So the Escape is down on the list of choices. But the 2020 Ford Escape is supremely comfortable, and if that’s what you’re looking for, you won’t find much competition.
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