Ever want to get away from it all? The compact Ford Escape will get you there, safe, sporty, satisfied, and with a lot of style.
2018 Ford Escape
Why Buy the Ford Escape?
In a crowded class, the Ford Escape rises to the top. Why? Some say it's the connectivity technology, like the SYNC 3 infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Bluetooth integration. Others say it's the intuitive controls that populate the cabin, located exactly where you want them. Still others talk about its cabin, with roomy first and second rows and plenty of cargo space. The Escape also got high marks in crash testing and plenty of safety features. But the best thing about the Escape, in our opinion, is driving it. The popular Ford SUV has agile handling and three engine options, the top two being very sporty indeed.
Which Ford Escape is Best?
You have your choice of four trims, including the new-for-2018 Escape SEL. There's not much to see on the base S trim, so stepping up to the SE trim gives you a turbo engine, dual-zone climate control, privacy glass, heated front seats, and available all-wheel drive and SYNC 3 with CarPlay options. If you want leather seats and Wi-fi hotspot, spring for the all-new Escape SEL. This trim is so connected that you can even start and unlock your SUV with your smartphone.
The best and, of course, most expensive version of the Ford Escape is the Escape Titanium. The Titanium has the most powerful engine, a hands-free tailgate, push-button start, heated steering wheel, power passenger seat, navigation and 10-speaker premium audio with HD Radio. You can decide which is best for you, but we think the SE or SEL will be the best choice for most buyers.
Are Ford Escapes Safe?
The Escape earned a perfect overall score of five stars on government crash tests. But an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That's why we're impressed by the Escape's brimming packages of available safety features, like blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, pre-collision alert with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control and more, to help keep you alert and aware while driving.
Which Ford Escape Engine is Best?
The Escape offers three engines. If you can afford it, skip the 2.5-liter standard engine. The 1.5-liter engine is a step up in power and the best for fuel efficiency, offering 23 city miles and 30 highway miles per gallon. In terms of horsepower and torque, the best of all is the 2.0-liter engine, delivering 245 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque, which is all you'll most likely ever need off the racetrack.