Completely redesigned for the 2020 model year, the Ford Escape is a crossover SUV that has a roomy interior and plenty of cargo space. The vehicle is now Ford’s only small passenger vehicle other than the EcoSport after Ford discontinued sedans and hatchbacks in the United States. The Escape’s optional user-friendly infotainment system and numerous standard safety features make this a vehicle you should consider.
Trim Levels
There are four trims available with the 2020 Ford Escape: S, SE, SEL, and Titanium. The SEL trim includes a hands-free power liftgate, and you can upgrade to receive a panoramic moonroof. One of the changes for the 2020 models is a lighter body, as it now weighs 200 pounds less than the previous year’s model. Ford was able to do this even after adding a stiffer suspension and rear subframe by using lighter and stronger aluminum and steel. It’s also 2 inches longer than the outgoing version.
Engine
In addition to a complete overhaul, the 2020 Ford Escape has a brand-new powertrain lineup. It comes standard with a 180 horsepower EcoBoost 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. This base engine, which has an output of 190 pound-feet of torque, is new for 2020 as it replaces the turbo four-cylinder engine that had a six-speed automatic transmission. You can opt for all-wheel drive. The other engine is a 250 horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost that produces 280 pound-feet of torque.
Performance
The 2020 Escape has five driving modes: normal, eco, sport, slippery, and snow/sand. The different modes change the vehicle’s throttle response, cylinder timing, transmission shift points, and steering.
For fuel economy, the Escape gets 27 miles per gallon in the city and 33 mpg on the highway with the base engine. The turbo-4 lowers those numbers to 23 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. When properly equipped, the base turbo-3 engine can tow up to 2,000 pounds, while the turbo-4 engine can tow a maximum of 3,500 pounds.
Interior
The S trim comes with cloth upholstery, a six-speaker audio system, a USB port, and the SYNC 3 infotainment system with a 4.2-inch display. With the SE trim, you gain a power-adjustable driver’s seat, automatic climate control, heated front seats, satellite radio, as well as the SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touch screen display along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
The SEL trim comes standard with synthetic leather upholstery and a heated steering wheel, while the top-of-the-line Titanium trim features genuine leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a 10-speaker audio system.
When it comes to cargo space, the Escape has 33.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 65.4 cubic feet when you fold them down.
Safety Features
With the 2020 Ford Escape, standard safety features include a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and forward collision warning. The vehicle also comes standard with Ford’s MyKey, which allows you to set speed and audio limits for secondary drivers. Available options found in the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite include pre-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beams, and a backup camera.
Image via ford.com
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