Fully redesigned in 2020, the 2021 Ford Escape sees little changes for this model year. It is stylish, with some impressive features and powertrain options, as well as offering a solid performance.
Design/Price
Ford’s sporty Escape features sleek lines on its exterior and adds style and sophistication; while offering buyers seating for five with a roomy interior and enough head- and legroom for most adults to sit comfortably. A sliding 60/40 split-fold down seat capability in the rear seats gives you more options for space in seating and cargo. A sport Appearance package adds 19-inch painted wheels and black exterior styling elements, and a Convenience package adds upgraded headlights, power liftgate, power driver’s seats, and rear armrest. These trims are available on the SE and above trims. Cloth upholstery is standard, and synthetic or genuine leather upholstery, heated and power adjustable front seats, and a heated steering wheel are available. The Escape has between 33.5 and 37.5 cubic feet of space behind the second row, depending on how the sliding rear seats are positioned. A total of 65.4 cubic feet of space behind the first row meets its maximum cargo capacity. The Escape is available in four trims: S, SE, SEL, and Titanium, with pricing starting at $26,550 for the S trim and ranging to $36,695 for the Titanium.
Safety and Technology
There are plenty of standard advanced driver’s aids that are included with Ford’s CoPilot360 to keep you safe on the road. Standard features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, rearview camera, and lane keep assist. Available options include adaptive cruise control, lane centering assist, traffic jam assist, parallel and perpendicular park assist, remote start, head-up display, and traffic sign recognition. The technology list is relatively short on the base Escape, but the Titanium trim adds some nice touches. It features a 4.2-inch display, Bluetooth, six-speaker stereo, and a USB port. An 8-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo, and satellite radio are available options. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and wireless device charging is standard on the Titanium trim; as well as some of the available options.
Power
The Escape is powered by two different powertrain options, with improved power and acceleration to move your vehicle well. Its sporty performance and handling make it drive more like a smaller car. A 180-horsepower three-cylinder EcoBoost turbocharged engine is standard on all trims except the Titanium trim. A 250-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 280 pound-feet is standard on the Titanium and available on the SEL trim. Both engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. When properly equipped with the turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the Escape can tow up to 3,500 pounds. It earns a respectable rating of 28/34 mpg in the city and on the highway.
Conclusion
The 2021 Ford Escape features a sporty performance, with style, comfort, and fun. It’s impressive list of standard safety features and a great price tag, makes this SUV a solid contender.