New Generation 2024 Ford Escape SUV Review

2024 Ford Escape has everything you’d expect from a small SUV, such as a roomy cabin, useful tech features, and very comfortable seats. While not particularly surprising, its storage capabilities are quite good. The Escape has some significant, but notable drawbacks, including imperfect transmission shifts and handling errors.

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After Ford discontinued sales of its subcompact, the EcoSport, a few years ago, the 2024 Ford Escape is the company’s smallest SUV. The Escape is shorter than the Ford Edge by about 8 inches and has hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain options. The Escape is able to compete with rival compact SUVs in terms of practicality, comfort, and efficiency, but its driving dynamics are lacking.

We don’t anticipate significant changes to the Escape for 2024, given the sizable refresh the year before. This suggests that it will likely remain a worthy consideration in its class, but overshadowed by better options. The Mazda CX-50, Honda CR-V, and Subaru Forester fall into this category. Below is the Escape Expert Rating, with significant advantages and disadvantages.

Roomy and comfortable seating
Smooth ride quality
User-friendly controls
Available hybrid powertrain that returns about 40 mpg
No significant changes are expected by 2024
Part of the fourth Escape generation introduced in 2020

2024 Ford Escape Review

The Escape is a big deal for Ford. While Mustangs and Broncos will take center stage, the Escape competes in the highly popular and competitive compact SUV segment. To keep the Escape competitive with a 2023 face-lift, which might be enough to attract buyers from the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Nissan Rogue, the Blue Oval is taking a big step.

After the Ford Escape’s mid-cycle facelift in 2023, which features tougher styling, a larger screen, and changes to the trim structure, don’t expect any significant changes to the Ford Escape in 2024. Given the debut of the current generation Escape in 2020, a full redesign is not expected until at least 2027.

We tested the Escape with the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, which produces plenty of power that makes it easy to weave through traffic and accelerate to highway speeds in Edmunds testing. In this test, the Escape outperformed most competing small SUVs with the upgraded engine at 6.9 seconds.

Unfortunately, the automatic transmission is slow-moving and occasionally jerky when upshifting. If you shift down a gear, you will feel a slight shudder as you reduce speed. When you take your foot off the brake, even the engine stop-start system produces an Escape when the engine is restarted. Everything seems to be unclean.

The Escape’s handling is also poor. It rolls a lot and is heavy. The grip of the tires is also low. On the other hand, the steering is very light when used in the default driving mode. By selecting Sport mode, you will have more weight and it will be easier to identify the direction of the front wheels.

Overall, we were pleased with the Escape’s comfort. The front seats are well-shaped and comfortably padded, and the rear seats are comfortable with enough thigh support for adults. The Escape drove smoothly and quietly around town and on the highway. It’s also quite quiet, with little distracting highway noise. No Escape trim has ventilated front seats.

2024 Ford Escape Update

Although the Escape has some advantages, it is far from the best in its class. Examples equipped with the optional 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 have excellent performance, and the Escape platform offers a very agile driving experience. Ford also offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain options.

However, other compact SUVs have more space inside, and owners of smaller SUVs will find a lot of cumbersome plastics when they look at the vast digital real estate. The front seats of the pre-refresh model are also stiff and unsupportive. In addition, we question Ford’s ability to overcome the imperfect power delivery of the base I-3 engine.

Nevertheless, the features offered by Ford’s latest infotainment line are impressive for this segment. The Escape can remain competitive in the popular compact car segment thanks to its outstanding post-refresh technology and styling.

2024 Ford Escape Efficiency

The standard Escape has a powertrain with three or four cylinders. Equipped with the 1.5-liter turbocharged i-3, base, active, and st-line trims have 181 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque. All trims have a front driver and a rear driver, and all trims have a rear driver. We have tested three-cylinder escapes that accelerate to 60 mph in 8.7 seconds. With a fuel economy of 26-27/32-34 mpg in the city and highway, FWD models have a slight advantage.

The Escape st-line Select, Escape Platinum, and Escape st-line Elite have a 2.0-liter turbocharged i-4 engine with 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. It has standard AWD and has the same eight-speed automatic system as the three-cylinder SUV. The more powerful engines do 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds, but they only get 23/31 mpg for fuel economy.

The Escape Hybrid or Escape Plug-in Hybrid is the best choice for buyers looking to save fuel.

2024 Ford Escape Safety

Although the pre-refresh Escape earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick award in 2022, it cannot be accepted for the award in 2023 or 2024 due to its updated and tougher Marginal scores in side impact tests. However, the NHTSA gave the Escape a five-star overall safety rating.

Standard Ford Co-Pilot360 driver assistance safety features include automatic distant lights, lane keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Cheaper variants have adaptive cruise control and semi-autonomous parking assist, which is standard as you move up the trim ladder.

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2024 Ford Escape Interior

The Escape Cabin is comfortably designed and works well. The main controls are easy to access, and the steering wheel buttons don’t take much time to learn. Also, the touchscreen interface is crisp and easy to use. Besides giving you a wide view outside, the driver’s seat is only slightly obstructed by the belt line that rises towards the rear. With many customization options available, dialing in the ideal one is easy. The downside is that the door armrests are too narrow.

The Escape impressed us with the space inside. There is plenty of space all around, and the very deep front seat backs provide plenty of room for the rear passengers’ knees. On models with a panoramic sunroof, very tall rear passengers may have all the headroom. Other than the high door thresholds, getting in and out of the Escape is not difficult.

On the front of the Escape’s interior, there are many soft-touch plastics, while hard plastics are usually silver, gloss black, or with a texture that shows effort. It turns out that the synthetic leather upholstery is very convincing. The cabin is overall attractive for the price, although the panel gaps are a little irregular and the interior door handles seem cheap.

Ford’s prices are competitive, although you often need to pay more to get features that competitors offer on cheaper trims. Ford offers standard warranty coverage for this type of car: three years/36,000 miles of basic coverage and five years/60,000 miles of powertrain and roadside assistance coverage.

The Escape has plenty of room for passengers and cargo. Like the popular Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, the Ford has the most front legroom, and the Honda can barely beat the Ford for rear legroom. The Escape’s cargo space is much larger than the other two compact cars, especially if you look at the folded seats.

Storage

The Escape’s cargo area is average for this segment. The low floor and high seatback are features we like as they give you plenty of vertical storage space before luggage interferes with rearward visibility. While the rear seats don’t fold flat, the outboard seat belts can be removed from the seat covers to avoid obstacles when carrying items.

With ample space at the front and sizable door pockets at the rear, storage inside is much improved. All bins have anti-tipping tabs, which is very rare in this class of vehicle. The large rear seats make loading child safety seats easy and have easy-to-reach car seat straps and moorings.

With a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, the Escape model has the capacity to tow up to 3,500 pounds-more than most small SUVs.

Technology

The Ford Escape’s touchscreen is very responsive and sharp. In addition, the available navigation system is easy to use and makes it easy to plan routes. With clear sound and strong bass, the six-speaker system is a good choice for a basic system. Almost everything is standard, and the driving aids work well.

With the previous year’s mid-cycle refresh, Ford gave the Escape significant technological updates. A fully digital instrument cluster is standard, and over-the-air updates and “OK, Ford” digital assistance are available with the new Sync 4 setup. The 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system-beyond the base model an upgrade from higher trims. This also applies to the premium 10-speaker Ford B&O audio system.

2024 Ford Escape Electric

There is no electric version of the Escape designed by Ford to compete with the Chevrolet Equinox EV. Instead, the other options are the Mustang Mach-E EV or Escape Plug-in Hybrid; the former has an electric range of up to 37 miles and has a gasoline engine, while the latter can be used entirely on electricity.

2024 Ford Escape Models

There are seven trim levels available for the Ford Escape compact SUV: Base, Active, PHEV, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, and Platinum. Within the lineup, four powertrains are available: hybrid and plug-in hybrid. Read on for a summary of each configuration, as well as standard features and exit options.

Both Base, Active and ST-Line trims are powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine (180 horsepower, 199 lb-ft) with an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. There is also an all-wheel drive option.

With standard all-wheel drive, the ST-Line Select and higher trims are equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (250 hp, 280 lb-ft).

Recall that ST-Line versions and higher trims are equipped with a fuel-efficient 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain (producing a total of 192 system horsepower) and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

Finally, the Escape PHEV offers a plug-in hybrid engine. It has a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with an electric motor that produces 210 total horsepower. There is a continuously variable automatic transmission and standard front-wheel drive. The Escape Plug-in Hybrid does not have all-wheel drive, unlike the previous fuel-only version and the conventional hybrid.

If the Escape Plug-in’s battery is fully charged, it can travel about 37 miles on electric power. After that, it can switch to conventional gas-electric hybrid operation. Recharging the 14.4-kilowatt-hour battery takes three and a half hours with a Level 2 charger, or ten to eleven hours using a 110-volt household outlet.

2024 Ford Escape MPG

We tested the Escape which has a two-liter turbo engine. For both highway and city driving, EPA estimates show 26 mpg. With the upgraded engine, this outperforms most other small SUVs. Unfortunately, we did not see significant fuel economy in our test vehicle when driving in a real environment.

2024 Ford Escape Pricing

The 2023 Escape starts at $29,345 and includes technologies such as an 8-inch touch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The ST-Line trim costs $30,340 and includes features like a power-adjustable driver’s seat and dual-zone automatic climate control. The ST-Line Select starts at $34,040, the Platinum at $37,465, and the ST-Line Elite at $38,460. All three have a more powerful engine. All-wheel drive is optional on lower trims, but standard on the ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, and Platinum versions.

Which Ford Escape Model Is the Best to Buy?

Unless you require a stronger engine, the base Active model should meet the needs of the majority of buyers. It lacks the additional power, but it is more fuel-efficient. It also has a slew of standard features, such as stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, an 8-inch digital gauge cluster, and a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for significant savings at your local Ford dealer. On our Ford offers page, you can also find fantastic manufacturer discounts.

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How Much Does a Ford Escape Insurance Policy Cost?

The cost of insuring a Ford Escape is determined by several factors, including your deductible, the level of coverage desired, and the kind of insurance selected. Your age, gender, location, credit score, and driving record can all have an impact on your insurance prices. Check out our auto insurance guide to pick the best policy for you.

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Pricing by Model

Active $29,345 – $31,515
ST-Line $32,510
ST-Line Select $35,040
Platinum $36,965

Verdict

The Ford Escape has everything you’d expect from a small SUV, such as a roomy cabin, useful tech features, and very comfortable seats. While not particularly surprising, its storage capabilities are quite good. The Escape has some significant, but notable drawbacks, including imperfect transmission shifts and handling errors.

Previous Section

2024 Ford Escape offers practicality and comfort in a compact package, but higher-rated competitors offer those qualities and more for the same price. Entering its fourth year in the current generation, the Ford Escape is a small SUV that sits below the Edge and Bronco in the automaker’s lineup. The Escape appeals to anyone looking for an SUV that is compact yet large enough to comfortably fit the family and some cargo.

The 2023 model received a midcycle refresh with updates to the exterior, including a more attractive front end. On the inside, the Escape offers comfortable seating with easy-to-use technology. Higher trim levels give you the option to upgrade cabin materials and other features for a more premium experience. The available powertrains are a basic turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine, a hybrid powertrain for better fuel economy, and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower for more power. (A plug-in version of Escape is available and we reviewed it separately.)

The Escape fulfills many of the things you want from a small SUV, from its comfortable and spacious interior to helpful technology, but it falls short of some of its competitors in handling and refinement on the road. It competes in a hotly contested segment against some crowd favorites like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 which are worth a look.

2024 Ford Escape Review

The Escape is a big deal for Ford. Of course, the Mustangs and Broncos would steal the limelight, but the Escape is competing in the very popular and competitive compact SUV space. The folks at Blue Oval are taking major steps to keep the Escape competitive with a 2023 face-lift, which may be enough to steal buyers from the segment’s sales leaders, the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Nissan Rogue.

Don’t expect significant changes to the 2024 Ford Escape. The automaker is introducing a midcycle face-lift for 2023 that brings tougher styling, a larger screen, and a revised trim structure. Considering the debut of the current-generation Escape 2020, we don’t expect a full redesign until at least 2027.

Escape has its strengths but is far from the best in its segment. We commend the strong performance of the example equipped with the optional turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4, and the Escape platform provides a very agile driving experience. Additionally, Ford earns some points for offering hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain options.

Other compact SUVs offer more space inside, and once owners look past the vast digital real estate, they’ll find chintzy plastic galore. The pre-refresh model also had stiff, unsupportive front seats. We also doubt Ford has addressed the unrefined power delivery of the base I-3 engine.

That said, the functionality offered with Ford’s latest infotainment range is impressive for this segment. Such technology combined with handsome post-refresh styling could keep Escape competitive in the hot compact segment.

2024 Ford Escape Refresh

After receiving a refresh for 2023, the 2024 Ford Escape is expected to arrive as a stock model without major changes.

The exterior design of the 2024 Escape is not expected to change much compared to the model currently on sale. The current Escape sports a sporty design with sweeping headlamps, an oval grille and sharp lines on the front fascia. The sleek rear of the Escape features oval taillights that wrap around the sides of the body, dual exhaust outlets, and simple lines on the bumper.

On the inside, the current Escape has a simple design that is not expected to change until 2024. The SUV has a curved dashboard with a protruding center section. A large touchscreen sits above the dashboard, while controls for the HVAC system are located below the center console. With a dial for the transmission, the Escape has plenty of room in its storage compartment.

Ford adapted the current Escape to a standard eight-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SYNC 4. The Escape is available with a 13.2-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10-speaker B&O audio system, navigation, and heads-up view. We hope this feature is available in Escape 2024.

The Ford Escape is currently available with a variety of powertrains. The gas-powered model is available with a 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbo engine or a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Power ranges from 181 horsepower to 250 hp. This SUV is also available with a 2.5-liter hybrid engine paired with a 200-hp electric motor. Finally, there is the Escape PHEV which comes with a similar powertrain to the hybrid but has a 11.2 kWh battery pack. It produces 221 hp and can travel 37 miles on electricity. This powertrain is expected to remain unchanged for 2024.

On the safety front, the Escape currently comes with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced safety features as standard. The suite includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. Available features include traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, surround-view parking camera, and evasive steering assistance. These features should continue to be offered for 2024.

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Performance and Efficiency

The standard Escape offers three- and four-cylinder powertrain options. The Base, Active, and ST-Line trims are equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter I-3 that develops 181 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque. FWD is standard and AWD is optional on all three trims, and we’ve tested the three-cylinder Escapes that accelerate to 60 mph in 8.7 seconds. Fuel economy figures read 26-27/32-34 mpg city/highway, with the FWD model holding the slight edge.

The Escape ST-Line Select, Escape Platinum, and Escape ST-Line Elite include a turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4 that develops a healthy 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. This variant includes standard AWD and works with the same eight-speed automatic as the three-cylinder SUV. The more powerful engine reaches 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds, but fuel economy drops to 23/31 mpg.

Buyers who prioritize fuel economy should look towards the Escape Hybrid or Escape Plug-in Hybrid.

Safety Ratings and Features

Although the pre-refresh Escape earned the IIHS 2022 Top Safety Pick, it is not eligible for the 2023 or 2024 awards due to Marginal scores in the more difficult-to-renew side crash test. However, the Escape earns a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

Standard Ford Co-Pilot360 driver assist safety features include automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, lane keeping assist, and automatic high beam. Adaptive cruise control and semi-autonomous park assist are offered on the more affordable variants and come as standard as you climb the trim ladder.

2024 Ford Escape Interior

The Escape offers plenty of room for passengers and cargo. Seen alongside the popular Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, the Ford has the most front legroom and can hardly be beaten by the Honda for rear legroom. The cargo space follows that of the other two compacts, especially when you look at the maximum volume with the seats folded down.

Technology

Ford brought major tech updates to the Escape with last year’s mid-cycle refresh. A new Sync 4 setup allows for over-the-air updates and “OK, Ford” digital assist, and an 8.0-inch infotainment screen and fully digital instrument cluster are standard. Higher trims upgrade to a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which is optionally available on all but the base model. The same goes for Ford’s premium 10-speaker B&O audio system.

2024 Ford Escape Hybrid

Impressive fuel economy and range
The available large infotainment screen
Proper handling

Few segments are hotter than the hybrid compact crossover. Ford hopes to entice buyers with the Escape, which it positions below the Explorer in the automaker’s hybrid SUV lineup. Ford has been building hybrid versions of the Escape since 2005. With that much experience, the modern iteration should have what it takes to compete with the hybrid variants of the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Kia Sportage.

Ford hasn’t announced any updates for the 2024 Escape Hybrid yet, but given last year’s mid-cycle refresh, we don’t expect significant changes. At most, Ford may change paint options or overhaul feature content. The 2023 facelift includes significantly revised styling, a giant available infotainment display, a new trim level structure, and over-the-air update capabilities.

As with the Toyota RAV4, the Escape Hybrid is our pick for the goldilocks from the Escape lineup. Handling is decent for the segment, and while the hybrid isn’t quite as fast as its gas counterpart, performance is acceptable and most owners will prefer its superior efficiency, range, and fuel costs.

The quality of the materials in the cabin is the weak point of this Escape generation. Yes, you can get a sizable digital instrument cluster display, and yes, Ford introduced a large infotainment screen available last year, but once passengers look past the flashy screens, they’ll find trim and upholstery that looks and feels cheap. Thankfully, the cabin feels surprisingly spacious compared to its Escape counterparts.

Last year’s more mature styling and improved technology make the current-generation Escape Hybrid even more appealing than it was just a few years ago when it was launched. Excellent fuel economy will also attract some buyers. However, in its class, we find well-rounded competitors more worthy of our recommendation.

Performance and Efficiency

Ford adapted the Escape Hybrid to a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter I-4 that worked in tandem with an electric motor. Combined output amounts to 200 hp, and while FWD is standard, compact crossovers can be had with AWD. All trim levels combine their powertrain with a CVT. Efficiency figures are impressive at 42/36 mpg city/highway, and we’ve tested the AWD variant which reaches 60 mph in 8.7 seconds.

Safety Ratings and Features

The Escape earned the 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick but has only managed a Marginal rating in the institute’s updated and complicated side-hit test, it won’t qualify for the same award in 2023 or 2024. However, Ford’s small SUV earns a five rating. stellar overall safety from NHTSA.

Blue Oval isn’t quite as generous with Co-Pilot360 driver-assistance features as the Japanese brand’s competitors and standard safety features are limited to automatic emergency braking, automatic high beam, and blind-spot monitoring. That said, the relatively affordable Technology Package adds adaptive cruise control and lane centering. The taller trim adds a 360-degree camera system.

Interior

On paper, the 2024 Escape competes with the mid-range package in passenger space compared to the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Honda CR-V Hybrid, although we did feel that the cabin feels more spacious than it actually is. Cargo volume is the lowest of the bunch.

Technology

Ford includes an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard. All but the base model offer an optional 13.2-inch display with improved navigation; that system is standard on the Escape Hybrid Platinum and ST-Line Elite. Standard trims get a 6.5-inch instrument cluster display and higher trims upgrade to a fully digital 12.3-inch gauge display. Those more expensive Escape Hybrids also upgraded from six to 10-speaker audio.

2024 Ford Escape EV

Ford isn’t making an electric version of the Escape to compete with the Chevrolet Equinox EV, at least not yet. If you want an electric driving experience in a Ford SUV, you should look towards the Mustang Mach-E EV or the Escape Plug-in Hybrid. The Escape PHEV provides an electric range of up to 37 miles and a petrol engine to extend the range, or you can go all-electric with the Mach-E.

Ford hasn’t built a fully electric version of the Escape yet, but it’s getting close. It’s pricey, but buyers can upgrade to the Escape Plug-in Hybrid. With a more powerful electric motor and a larger lithium-ion battery, the PHEV has an electric range of 37 miles.

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Next-Gen Ford Escape Color

Some of the new Ford Escape 2024 colors expected are:

Exterior Colors

Agate Black Metallic.
Atlas Blue Metallic.
Carbonized Gray Metallic.
Iced Blue Silver Metallic.
Iconic Silver Metallic.
Oxford White.

Interior Colors

Sandstone.
Ebony.
Ebony/Sandstone.

2024 Ford Escape Trim

Ford offers many variants of the Escape; trim walk reads Base, Active, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite. We recommend choosing the ST-Line Select with the Tech #1 package. That way you get the added power and refinement of the 2.0-liter turbo-four, a larger infotainment screen, and all the safety features on.

Between ST-Line, ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite, our money will go towards the entry-level ST-Line in addition to $995 Tech Pack #1. That way you get a bigger infotainment screen and better driver assistance, plus the ST-Line comes standard with synthetic leather seats.

2024 Ford Escape Price

The SUV should still be close to the current model in terms of price. The current price of Escape starts at $28,995 (with destination) and goes up to $39,995.

2024 Ford Escape Release Date

With the 2023 Ford Escape arriving in dealerships in early 2023, we expect the 2024 model to hit dealerships in early 2024.

Verdict

Overall, the 2024 Ford Escape looks like it will be excellent with some significant improvements over the current model. With its new refreshing and modern design it will give a perfect impression to the users.

Equipped with an upgraded interior that is more spacious and loaded with advanced technology. Powertrain options offer a good balance between performance and fuel efficiency, and the variety of colors and options will allow buyers to customize the vehicle to their liking.

With a starting price of around $28,000, we believe the 2024 Ford Escape is a great choice for anyone in the compact SUV market. We’ll be back soon with more on the 2024 Ford Escape, so make sure you bookmark our website to stay up to date with the latest Ford F-Series news, Escape news, and information on other Ford models on the road.

2024 Ford Escape: New Generation Escape SUV Review

2024 Ford Escape Review