Learn More About The Amazing Features Of The 2020 Ford Escape

Originally introduced in the 2001 model year, the Ford Escape is a great addition to the compact-crossover trend and is one of Ford’s best-selling vehicles. Now completely redesigned for 2020, it’s a practical compact SUV that now features a sportier look along with a roomier interior. Use this guide to take a look at what you can expect from the 2020 Escape.

Trims

Sitting between the smaller EcoSport and the larger three-row Explorer, the 2020 Escape comes in five available trims: S, SE, SE Sport, SEL, and Titanium. All trims offer plenty of standard features as well as a variety of available upgrades. Plus, the SE Sport is a hybrid, while the Titanium is also available as a hybrid option. Ford hasn’t offered a hybrid option with the Escape since 2012, so this update is great for those who want to get the most of their gas mileage.  With its new design, the Escape has a clean shape with unassuming headlights and a low grille, helping the SUV achieve a design reminiscent of a car rather than a bulky truck.

Image via Flickr by truckhardware used under license CC BY 2.0

Engines

Power for the 2020 Escape comes in many engine options. This SUV comes standard with a three-cylinder 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged engine that features a start-stop system to reduce idling time. It gets 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. This engine, which is available on the S, SE, and SEL trims, replaces the previous 168-horsepower four-cylinder engine.

The upper trims offer an upgraded 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine that produces 250-horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine replaces the vehicle’s previous 179- and 245-horsepower four-cylinder engines.

If you want a more efficient choice, the SUV also has a 2.5-liter 198-horsepower four-cylinder hybrid engine, which comes standard on the SE Sport and Titanium hybrid trims. This option produces 200 horsepower and 209 pound-feet of torque when combined with a 1.1-kwh lithium-ion battery pack and electric motor. There’s also a plug-in hybrid option with these two trims, and it comes with an upsized 14.4-kwh lithium-ion battery pack.

Performance

No matter what type of terrain you plan to tackle in the 2020 Escape, you can rest assured this SUV can traverse it, especially if you add all-wheel drive. Expect a comfortable ride as it absorbs road imperfections well and handles sharp turns with ease. The vehicle also offers several drive modes that can help you navigate through different road conditions. Depending on the roadway, you can select Deep Snow/Sand, Eco, Slippery, and Normal. 

The EcoBoost engines come paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrid engine has a continuously variable automatic transmission. In addition, the base engine can tow up to 2,000 pounds, but with the upgraded EcoBoost engine, it can tow up to 3,500 pounds.

When it comes to fuel economy, the SUV gets better gas mileage compared to others in its class. Expect to get an estimated 27 miles per gallon in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. If your Escape has the upgraded EcoBoost engine and all-wheel drive, you can get 23 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.

Interior

The interior of the Escape matches the functional and modern design of its exterior, thanks to an additional 2 inches of length compared to the previous version. The second row offers sliding 60/40 split-fold seats so you can change the interior to meet your needs. When loading or unloading cargo, use the vehicle’s hands-free and foot-activated tailgate so you don’t have to fumble for your keys. It’s standard on the SEL and Titanium trims.

If you’re seeking additional comfort, check out the SE trim as it adds heated front seats, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and automatic climate control. The SEL trim adds a power front passenger seat, while the Titanium trim includes leather upholstery and a 110-volt AC power outlet.

If you’re wanting a compact SUV that offers plenty of cargo space, the Escape doesn’t disappoint. It boasts 33.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and an impressive 65.4 cubic feet of space when you fold down the rear seats.

Technology

Technology abounds in the 2020 Escape. It comes standard with the SYNC infotainment system along with a 4.2-inch display, a USB port, and a six-speaker audio system. If you opt for the SE trim, you gain the SYNC3 infotainment system along with an 8-inch easy-to-use touch-screen display. Its intuitive interface is user-friendly, but you can also use the physical controls. Available technology upgrades include satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hot spot, a 10-speaker stereo system, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Safety Features

To keep you and your passengers safe, the 2020 Escape comes standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features. Among the features found in this package are blind-spot monitoring, active park assist, rear cross-traffic alert, pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Other standard features include a rearview camera and the Ford MyKey, which lets you set speed and audio limits for secondary drivers.

Available active safety features include a voice-activated navigation system, perpendicular and parallel park assist, rear parking sensors, and a head-up display.

Thanks to these stellar safety features, the 2020 Escape earned Top Safety Pick honors from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety Administration (IIHS). The vehicle earned perfect scores in all IIHS crash tests, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the SUV an overall safety rating of five out of five stars.

Price

U.S. News and World Report named the 2020 Ford Escape as one of the Best New SUVs for Teens $20K to $25K. The MSRP for the Escape with front-wheel drive is as follows:

• S trim: $24,885.
• SE trim: $27,105.
• SE Sport hybrid trim: $28,265.
• SE plug-in hybrid trim: $33,040.
• SEL trim: $29,265.
• SEL plug-in trim: $35,620.
• Titanium trim: $36,835.
• Titanium hybrid trim: $33,550.
• Titanium plug-in hybrid trim: $38,835.

To learn more about the 2020 Ford Escape or to get behind the wheel of one, reach out to the professionals at Oxmoor Ford. Offering Louisville’s largest selection of new and used Ford vehicles, we have years of experience helping customers drive off the lot in their dream vehicles. Contact us today to schedule a test drive so you can experience for yourself what the Escape has to offer.