2019 Ford Escape Review: There's An Escape For Everyone
The 2019 Ford Escape enters its sixth year as a third-gen model, and though possibly dated in its visual aesthetic, has received consistent and favorable upgrades over the years that have effectively supplemented its ability to stay relevant. With engine options ranging from a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-four with outputs of 168 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque, to either a 179-hp, 177 lb-ft turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four or a 245-hp, 275 lb-ft 2.0-liter inline-four, the Escape can be had as either front-wheel or all-wheel-drive; there's an Escape for just about everyone. The compact crossover SUV is a practical and efficient everyday commuter and is modestly outfitted with enough contemporary tech and active safety features to accommodate most modern families, at least in the upper-tier trims. But the segment is a competitive one, and with the ever-popular and class dominating Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 as rivals, the Escape has a lot to prove.
What's the Price of the 2019 Ford Escape?
The Escape S trim is packaged as a very base-level option aimed predominantly at fleet owners or ride-service providers; as such, it's priced in the lineup with a budget-friendly MSRP of $24,105. Thus, for the private vehicle owner, the SE can be considered the entry point to the range with an MSRP of $26,500. The SEL, in the middle of the lineup, holds an MSRP of $28,445, while the range-topping Titanium has a sticker price of $32,620. These prices are all exclusive of Ford's $1,095 destination charge, $645 acquisition fee, as well as tax, registration, and licensing fees.
Best Deals on 2019 Ford Escape
Handling and Driving Impressions
The Escape offers some decent capability in the way of handling. Despite its tall ride height, and although its all-season tires don't offer the best levels of grip, it manages to stay competently composed and planted when driven reasonably. It's even a little spirited and offers some fun-to-drive characteristics at times. However, it's dull and uncommunicative steering, along with its unrefined transmission, hamper its sporting potential. The brakes are otherwise easy to modulate in all driving scenarios and deliver smooth, linear stopping power without feeling too grabby. For the little handling capability that the Escape does offer, it has still taken quite a compromise in overall ride comfort. The Escape's firm suspension tuning makes for notably bumpy and audible rides over most road imperfections and undulations.
The Honda CR-V strikes a finer balance between favorable handling capability and comfortable ride quality. With a 7.8-inch ride height, however, the Escape offers some appealing off-road capability, better than many of its rivals in fact. That's not to say it should be taken off-road for enjoyment, only to state its reasonable competence in dealing with unkept dirt roads and climbing small obstructions if need be. The all-wheel-drive system adds some clear benefits in all-weather driving conditions, but the added weight does somewhat slow acceleration.
Verdict: Is the 2019 Ford Escape A Good SUV?
The Ford Escape is a decent vehicle: it offers fun and capable handling, good practicality, and reasonable comfort. The 2.0-liter turbo four-pot is the better engine of the lot but is only available on the Titanium. However, the 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder isn't too bad and is available on the more affordable and yet well-equipped SEL trim. General fuel-economy estimates from the lineup aren't very impressive, but are on par for the competitive segment, as are the acceleration times offered by the three powertrain setups. The Escape features an appealing selection of modern features and functionalities too. It's also a favorable, safe daily commuter and received good overall safety scores from both key authorities. Many of the Escape's rivals are better all-rounders, however, as the Escape compromises significantly on ride comfort for a somewhat menial level of handling capability. Where it does outshine its rivals, though, is in its high-level of practicality and versatility, offering a decent amount of trunk room and an unmatched maximum towing capacity.
What Ford Escape Model Should I Buy?
With the SEL being equipped with the most fuel-efficient powertrain and offering a choice between a FWD or AWD system, we believe it to be the ideal trim option. It's also not much more expensive than the SE trim below it, and considerably cheaper than the Titanium trim above it. It comes standard with all the necessities and features which the lower-tier trims have, as well as favorable luxuries and conveniences that they don't - including a power liftgate and roof-rack side rails. We suggest including the available Ford Safe and Smart Package for the numerous beneficial driver-assist features it contains. However, if you require maximum towing capacity, only the Titanium will do, and you must equip the Trailer Tow Package.
2019 Ford Escape Comparisons
2019 Ford Escape vs Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V tops the class leaderboard as one of the all-round best compact crossover SUVs and is the Escape's most respected rival. It's similarly priced to the Escape and also offers a selection between naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines, none more powerful than the 2.0-liter offered in the Escape lineup, but considerably more economical; the CR-V's 1.5-liter turbo four-pot returning 28/34/30 mpg on the EPA drive cycles, with even the least economical CR-V besting the Escape. Additionally, the CR-V boasts a trunk capacity just upwards of five cubic feet more than the Escape's, although towing 2,000 lbs less. Thus, which vehicle offers greater practicality will come down to the individual buyer's personal requirements. The CR-V received better safety ratings than the Escape and even earned a designation of Top Safety Pick for 2019; it also comes standard with a greater selection of driver-aids and active safety equipment. Both offer about the same value in the way of features, but the CR-V just strikes a balance between handling and comfort exceptionally, which the Escape utterly misses. That, along with the few other areas in which the CR-V dominates, makes it the better all-rounder.
2019 Ford Escape vs Ford Edge
For around $5,000 more, prospective buyers can opt for the larger, more capable Ford Edge. The Edge lineup offers a more robust V6 engine option that accelerates the Edge from 0-60 mph in a full second faster than the best performing Escape can, but is marginally less economical. There are also five cubic feet more trunk space offered in the Edge too, and an equal maximum towing capacity that is, however, offered on all but the base trim. In contrast, the Escape offers its best towing capability only on the range-topping trim. The Edge received slightly better safety ratings from the IIHS in two of its evaluations, and the entire Edge lineup comes with the Ford Co-Pilot 360 safety and driver-assist suite as standard. There are some luxuries in the Edge that the Escape does not get the option to, but for the most part, the Escape can be outfitted with most of what the Edge has to offer in terms of features. Purely for the Edge's more capable engine options, specifically the ST's 2.7-liter V6, we give it our vote.