Used 2020 Ford Escape SEL for sale 

The segment in which the Escape would now be competing, the compact crossover turf, is already muzzling with different products. This segment alone holds around 20% of the global car market today. In purview of this, Ford has broadened its offering with the new Escape. This Ford now offers something for everyone. 

There are several aesthetical options to choose from, but apart from that, the 2020 Escape is available in four different trims to begin with. There's as many as three engine options as well. Prices for the base ‘S’ starts at $24,885 and goes all the way up to $33,400 for the top-of-the-shelf Ford Escape Titanium variant. The differences in the trims lie in mechanical as well as other features.

Which trim to go for?

We would recommend picking up the SE trim that comes standard with a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine. The 2020 Ford Escape is certainly not a car with very high ambitions. The SE trim gets decent features and comfort packaging for its class along with ample fuel economy from the 3-cylinder.

The behavior of the power plants is in sync with the 2020 Ford Escape’s suttle exterior appeal. The 1.5-liter EcoBoost 3-cylinder engine in the S and SE, that packs-in 180 horses and 177 ft-lbs of torque, has adequate power for the new proportion. Replacing the earlier 1.5 liter 4-cylinder EcoBoost, the new base engine is more refined and adds a meagre 2 extra horses and 13 lb-ft torque.

Power from the engine is smooth with a moderate thrust, just as you'd expected in a humble crossover. This engine also features a cylinder-deactivation system that shuts-off one cylinder during lower power needs. The mechanism does save some extra fuel but it also dilutes the driving experience. Since this only a 3-cylinder engine, you need to consistently push it in order to feel it going.

For power hankers, the 2.0 liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder, optional with the SEL and Titanium, adds in some extra zing with its 250 horses. The enhanced feedback from the engine is fairly audible and so is the extra torque that kicks in every time you make a brisk overtake. Although the engine is not excessively exhilarating, its refinement is more pleasing than that of the base engine's.

The hybrid, SE Sport, comprises of a 2.5 liter Atkinson Cycle 4-cylinder engine hooked up to a pair of electric motors and an electronic continuously variable automatic transmission. The hybrid powertrain's engagement is almost similar to the EcoBoost engine, except for the unsurprising haziness. However, on strong demands, the electric motors' extra enthusiasm is delightful enough.

All available engine options are paired to a standard 8-speed automatic transmission. The transmission is polite enough with smooth upshifts but the same cannot be said about the downshifts. At city speeds, and even occasionally while spirited driving, the transmission seems a bit lazy to grab on to the smaller cog.

Is the Escape menacingly fast?

While the 3-cylinder engine in the base might seem downsized, its run from 0-60 miles per hour speaks enough about its refinement over the earlier 4-cylinder unit. The 2020 Ford Escape sprints significantly faster than its previous generation’s 9.2 seconds chase to the 60 mph mark. A smoother transmission with more gears, enhanced aerodynamics, and a lighter body is what enhances the 2020 Escape’s swiftness.

However, switch to the available 2.0 Turbo engine with all-wheel drive, and the overall changes get more pronounced with a clocked time of 6.9 seconds to 60 mph, starting from naught. The other 2.5-liter i-4 hybrid further slows down acceleration, and is able to cross the 60 mph mark in 8.7 seconds.

All the crossovers in the segement return similar performance. At the same time, each of them can be equipped with upgraded engines to enhance those readings. So in terms of power and acceleration, there is hardly telling one from another.

How well does the Escape fare on the Ride and Handling front?

Talk about ride and handling, and the 2020 Ford Escape turns out to be a mixed bag. The new and retuned suspension, lighter body and enhanced electronics are delightfully evident in its poised ride quality, even with the optional 19-inch wheels.

What's even more impressive than its ride comfort is the silence inside the cabin aided by the enhanced door sealing, laminated acoustic glass and an isolated rear subframe. There are also different drive modes on offer, along with an extra Eco mode on the hybrid power plants, that can be switched via a rotary dial. However, it's the Sport mode in which the 2020 Escape feels most energetic and dynamic.

Where the new-gen Escape completely disappoints is the handling part. The nimble and mild exterior sheets don't reciprocate with the way you'd want them to. The steering wheel is precise but it has absolutely no feedback. Be it highway cruising, city-dwelling or tackling a turn, there is barely any communication from the steering.

The updated suspension does accentuate comfort inside the cabin, but what it doesn't is the grip around corners. Even on the slightest of turns, the Escape loses traction, resulting in surprising amount of body-roll along with significant understeer.

How good are the Brakes on the 2020 Escape?

The brakes on the 2020 Escape are similar in size to the outgoing model and so is their performance. But what has changed is the overall feel, and there are a couple of things responsible for that. All the wheels get power disc brakes with ABS. So there is no worrying about them locking under panick braking. Furthermore, the pedal feels a lot more firm and convincing.

Then there is that reduction in weight, about 200 lbs., to be precise. The brakes have been seamlessly integrate without any signs of lack of feedback, which is impressive. Together these factors make braking a lot less of a task than before.

To wow you further, the brakes in the hybrid trim bring the 2020 Escape to a halt from 60-0 in just 122 feet compared to the 128 feet of the gas-only models. Among the rivals, the Chevrolet Equinox takes the lead with its 121 feet distance from 60-0 mph, even with comparatively smaller discs and almost equal weight. All others weigh significantly more than both these crossovers.

The overall evolution of the 2020 Ford Escape not only enhances its engagement on the road but also optimizes its fuel output. The new Escape with the 1.5 liter 3-cylinder delivers a combined output that is 6 miles up from the outgoing model's 24 mpg EPA ratings. One equipped with the snappier 2.0-liter engine does not disappoint as well. Even it is more efficient than before.

All the competitors post somewhat similar numbers on the economy table too. EPA estimates for the hybrid is not available yet, but Ford says that the 2.5 hybrid apparatus paired with a front-wheel-drive system should have a 550-mile range on its 14.2-gallon tank. Decoding that into simpler arithmetic, we expect the hybrid to put up some 40 odd miles per gallon.

Also Read:

What do IIHS and NHTSA have to say about the 2020 Escape?

Why is the Honda CR-V's reliability only average?

With grown-up dimensions comes more interior space and that's very true with the 2020 Ford Escape. Even though it looks much more nimble than its predecessor, the new Escape’s interior feels roomier than the outgoing version. The stretched-up proportions and the lowered body further allowed Ford to carve a lower beltline with larger windows translating into better outward visibility and airiness inside the cabin. So this time it is more ergonomic too.

The interior layout is certainly refreshing and better than its earlier generation, but the plasticky materials don't carry the same premium vibe as inside the CR-V. The Titanium trim gets up to 10-way power adjustable drivers and a 6-way power-adjustable passenger seat. However, heated front seats are available on all variants except the base-level S.

The seats in the lower trims come wrapped in cloth. That cloth is replaced by leather in the Titanium trim, which is soft to touch but is not something very premium. The bucket seats, nometheless, are comfortable enough for the segment and also offer good all-around space. 

The rear seats have a decent incline angle and can be slid back and forth by 6 mm, either for better legroom or for more cargo space at the rear. Among the competition, the Nissan Rogue with its larger proportions offers enhanced roominess inside the cabin as well as better space around the front seats. But overall none are as good as the Escape.

What does the Infotainment system of the Escape feel like?

Among the few things that haven't been changed in the 2020 Ford Escape is the Sync3 infotainment. The system in the Escape features an 8.0-inch floating infotainment screen that is very intuitive to operate. The system is very aptly packed with features and has a clean interface as well. A manual gauge cluster is standard but the Titanium variant gets a 12.3-inch digital cluster.

However, with the finicky graphics and awful animation along with complex configurability, the digital gauge is not as effective and useful to operate than the ones available in its rivals. The features aboard the infotainment unit are:

• Ford Sync3
• Ford Pass Connect
• SiriusXM satellite radio
• SiriusXM Travel Link
• 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot
• Apple CarPlay
• Android Auto

What are the most notable comfort features on the inside of the 2020 Escape?

Besides a more roomier cabin, the 2020 Escape now gets several features to enhance the overall aminity of the car. Of those, the features that stand out include things like:

• USB connectivity
• Speed sensitive volume control
• 8 cup holders
• Urethane steering wheel with cruise and audio controls, manual tilt and telescoping steering column
• Visor Vanity Mirrors (Driver and Front Passenger)
• 3 Powerpoints– Front of Center Console, Rear of Center Console and Cargo Area
• Center Console with Convenient Media Bin
• Selectable Drive Mode
• Intelligent Access with Push-Button Start
• 10-way Power Driver seat with Front Row Heat
• 6-way power passenger seat
• Available ambient lighting
• Dual-zone climate control

What is the Cargo capacity of the Ford Escape?

Where the 2020 Ford Escape’s enhanced proportions also shine is the improved cargo area. Availability of space behind the second row seats is up by 3.5 cu-ft from the outgoing models. That outgoing model had a cargo carrying capacity of 34.0 cubic feet, which was already quite impressive.

If that's not enough, the rear seats can travel up for increased space. Apart from that, they can also be folded in a 40/20/40 ratio to open up extra cargo space. So there seems to be no reason to worry about storage.

When we compared the 2020 Escape with its competitors, it certainly doesn not have the most generous boot space. Still, it is decent for the segment and on-par with the class average. However, the Nissan Rogue with its chunkier proportion offers the best in class 39.3 cu-ft of cargo room.

It's on the outside where the 2020 Ford Escape has changed most drastically. Gone are the boxy proportions and buffed-up hatchback appearance. Although the new, fourth-gen Escape is longer, wider and lower than its predecessor, it now wears an exterior sheet that is much more angular than any of Ford’s crossovers before.

The lowered stance along with clean and sha[ely body lines running across its profile makes it look as mannered as a sedan, unlike its more bulkier and aggressive rivals. The sculpts on the doors do a praiseworthy job of making it look all the more sportier.

A longer nose that features a low slung blacked out hexagonal grille along with the new Focus inspired LED headlamps reminds of Porsches though. At the rear, there are sleeker, horizontal taillights along with Escape badging in chrome. Overall, the 2020 Ford Escape has generally evolved by shedding off its heft, and we like the evolution. In the entire Ford lineup, this is the only crossover that looks as humble and modest.

Which are the most eye-catching features of the Ford Escape?

Ford has stepped up its game in terms of the features that it offers in its cars. For the 2020 Escape, Ford has bundled quite a lot of features on the Escape, to make it stand tall among its adversaries. Some of the highlights include 

• Panoramic vista roof
• Daytime running lights
• Body-color rear spoiler
• LED Signature Lighting
• Dual chrome exhaust tips
• Hands-Free, Foot-Activated Liftgate
• Halogen Fog lamps
• Rain-Sensing Wipers
• Acoustic Laminated Front Door Side Glass

This Ford is more tuned for a car-like presentation on the road. However, that tuning is not only limited to its proportions and performance but also in the safety department. Needless to say, the new Escape is very well loaded with adequate safety features for its class. For the detailed NHTSA and IIHS ratings of the 2020 Escape, click here. Some of the essential safety features include:

• 4-Wheel ABS
• Emergency Braking Preparation
• Post and pre- Collision Safety System
• Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags
• Front And Rear Head Airbags
• Stability Control
• Emergency Braking Assist
• Blind Spot And Lane Departure Warnings Accident Avoidance System
• Traction Control
• BLIS with Cross-Traffic Alert
• Rear View Camera
• Auto High-Beam Headlamps
• AdvanceTrac with RSC (Roll Stability Control)
• SOS Post-Crash Alert System
• Ford Co-Pilot 360+

Ford Escape vs Chevrolet Equinox

The Chevrolet Equinox might be a more value proposition for those looking for a complete package. While the Chevy might not have the Escape’s more modern and refreshed tech and features' list, as well as the super-smooth ride quality, it certainly has some edges over the Ford. The Equinox offers more practicality than the Ford Escape. The Equinox also offers decent ride comfort, but where it aces is its third row of seats and better off-roading capability.

Ford Escape vs Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V is considered one of the benchmarks in this segment. Apart from the Escape’s nimbleness, the CR-V topples the Ford in almost every aspect. It has a more premium interior build quality than the Escape, offers better ride and handling, is loaded with all the tech available in the segment and has a third row as well.

Ford Escape vs Toyota Rav 4

One of the world's largest selling crossovers, the Toyota Rav4 has a rock-solid presence in its segment that is very hard for any other car to challenge. The RAV4 has a punchier engine than the Escape and the interior layout is more soothing. Overall road presence is sturdier and offers great off-roading ability as well. Above all, the RAV4 handles much better than the Escape and has very responsive steering. 

Ford Escape vs Nissan Rogue

When compared to the 2020 Ford Escape, the Nissan Rogue seems more like a mixed bag. While its engine is not as refined as the Escape’s and offers a hazy driving experience, it does ace ahead of the Ford on certain terms. The 2020 Rogue has a more premium and well-built interior, offers better cargo space along with a third row and has plenty of standard features as well.

If you have been a fan of Ford’s sedans and are quite depressed that you won't get a nimble Ford in the States anymore, well Ford is certainly concerned about you. The 2020 Ford Escape just strikes the right balance between the driving dynamics of a compact car along with the practicality of a crossover. It will do what you want it to do, but only in the right setting or the right time, both of which are hard to come by.