Road Test: 2020 Ford Escape Titanium
Story by Jordan Allan, photos courtesy of Ford
Specifications:
Price(as tested): $44,599
Engine: 2.0L Twin-Scroll EcoBoost DOHC I4
Trans: 8 -speed auto
Power: 250 hp@ 5,500 rpm
Torque: 280 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm
Curb Weight: 3,552 lbs./1,611 kg
Fuel Consumption (L/100km – City/Hwy): 10.4/7.5
New for 2020: The Ford Escape is brand new for 2020 and is now slightly longer, wider and lower than its predecessor as it enters its fourth generation. As before, the Escape is available in a wide variety of trims starting with the S and all the way up to the top-of-the-line Titanium model we had as a tester. A Hybrid version now rejoins the fold after a brief hiatus and Ford says a plug-in hybrid model is set to debut in the Spring.
Segment Competitors: Mazda CX-5, Toyota Rav4, Volkswagen Tiguan, Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V, Chevrolet Equinox, Mitsubishi Outlander, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Jeep Cherokee, Subaru Forester
The Skinny: If you look at some of the Escape’s main competition listed above, you’ll see some names that have been around for a very long time and can be largely accredited with shaping the SUV/CUV crazed automotive industry we are experiencing today. Now classified as compact, vehicle’s like the Escape, Rav4 and CR-V were some of the original SUVs and were the first to showcase just how versatile sport utility vehicles can be.
The all-new Escape is a great example of that and boasts a great new exterior look and a much upgraded interior with an available 12.3-in. all digital instrument cluster and 8-in. touchscreen that controls the SYNC 3 system which operates the navigation, climate system and just about everything else. The seating position was comfortable and while I wouldn’t call the rear seat or cargo area huge, they were more than adequate even allowing me to throw multiple hockey bags in the back without issue.
Our Titanium test model had the 2.0L EcoBoost engine that makes an impressive 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft. of torque which shows up at low RPMs. The engine, which is paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission, is very smooth and accelerates with ease. In fact, on a few occasions where I really had to put my foot into it I was actually quite surprised at how powerful it felt. That being said, this power does not cause a sacrifice in terms of fuel efficiency as I experienced the advertised 9.1L/100km city/highway combined.
Pros: Although it is not the focus of a vehicle like this, I was pleasantly surprised by its power. Besides that I felt the seating position gave me great sightlines and the ride was one of the smoothest in its class.
Cons: As expected, I’m not a huge fan of the new dial gear shift but that isn’t a huge issue.
The Verdict: The Ford Escape has been a strong seller for a long time and shows no signs of slowing down. It’s now more versatile than ever before as showcased by the ample amount of trims and options available and other features such as Apple CarPlay, standard Ford Co-Pilot360 driver assist technologies and the drive mode selector which allows you to choose from Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery and Snow/Sand. Like almost any vehicle, the Escape can get rather pricey if you don’t shy away from the plethora of options available, however Ford have truly done a good job with it and provide everything you’d expect from a good compact SUV. Although the Titanium was very nice and I did enjoy the extra options, I would probably look toward the middle of the range SE or SEL models if I were looking to buy.
