2016 Ford Escape

header-image
Rating8.0

Ranked #5 in 

Compact SUV
Write Review
$23,590 - $31,745
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on January 31, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Lively base Engine.

Mediocre Cargo Space.

SYNC 3 now Available.

Great Infotainment Tech.

Limited Cabin Comfort.

Impressive Safety Features.

Overpriced Titanium Trim.

Specs & Features

$23,590

price

168 hp @ 6000 rpm

horsepower

170 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

torque

6-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

2.5L 4cyl FWD 6A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2016 Ford Escape starts at $23,590, and feels the sportiest amogn its rivals. The Escape also sacrifices some comfort to chase the sportiness, without compromising infotainment needs. The Escape still looks like more of a SUV rather than a crossover, which for some, is a good thing as not everyone is a fan of the domesticated looks of a typical crossover.

Buying Advice

If you’re considering bringing home the 2016 Ford Edge, we recommend sticking with the SE trim. The SE trim has the more efficient 1.6L turbocharged engine along with many better features over the base S trim like power adjustable seats, upgraded cloth upholstery, optional dual-zone climate control and much more. The price for the SE trim is also quite affordable for what it has to offer.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The Ford Escape faces competition from key rivals such as the Mitsubishi Outlander, the Honda CR-V, and the Nissan Rogue, but manages to offer value in places where the others lag behind. In this review of the 2016 Ford Escape, we talk about the good and the bad, and help you decide if you should get one for your garage. 

Features
8.0/10

The 2016 Ford Escape is offered in three trims, the S is the base trim that starts at $23,590. The S trim can only be bought in FWD configuration, stepping up from which is the SE trim which starts at $25,790 and can be configured with AWD with a premium of $1,750. The SE also comes with a 1.6L turbocharged engine which is a strong performer. The Titanium is the top trim which starts at $29,995 with FWD and $31,745 with AWD configuration.

Trims

S

SE

Titanium

MSRP

$23,590 (2WD)

$25,790 (2WD) - $27,540 (4WD)

$29,995 (2WD) - $31,745 (4WD)

Key Features

17-inch steel wheels

17-inch alloy wheels (optional on S)

All standard features of the SE

 

Integrated blind-spot mirror

1.6-liter turbocharged engine

Exclusive foot sensor for the power lift-gate

 

Full power accessories

Automatic headlights

Keyless entry and ignition

 

Keyless entry

Keyless entry keypad

Ambient interior lighting

 

Cruise control

Rear privacy glass

Eight-way power-adjustable passenger seat (with power lumbar)

 

Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel

Eight-way power-adjustable driver seat (with power lumbar)

Driver memory settings

 

Height-adjustable driver seat

Upgraded cloth upholstery

Auto-dimming rearview mirror

 

60/40-split folding and reclining rear seat

Rear center armrest

10-speaker Sony audio system with HD radio

 

4.2-inch central display

Satellite radio

 

 

Rearview camera

 

 

We Recommend

If you’re considering bringing home the 2016 Ford Edge, we recommend sticking with the SE trim. The SE trim has the more efficient 1.6L turbocharged engine along with many better features over the base S trim like power adjustable seats, upgraded cloth upholstery, optional dual-zone climate control and much more. The price for the SE trim is also quite affordable for what it has to offer.

Engine and Performance
8.0/10

The 2016 Ford Escape is offered with a 2.5L inline-4 engine as standard. The power unit generates 168 horsepower along with 170 lb-ft of torque through a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The 2016 model year Escape sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 9.2 seconds. The 1.6L turbocharged inline 4 in the SE trim puts out 178 horsepower along with 184-foot pounds of torque and it performs just as good if not better than the base engine while providing significantly better fuel efficiency.

Models

Ford Escape

Mitsubishi Outlander

Honda CR-V

Nissan Rogue

MSRP

$23,590

$22,995

$23,845

$23,330

Engine

2.5L inline-4

2.4L inline-4

2.4L inline-4

2.5L inline-4

Transmission

6-speed shiftable automatic

CVT

CVT

CVT

Horsepower

168 hp @ 6000 rpm

166 hp @ 6000 rpm

185 hp @ 6400 rpm

170 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque (lb-ft)

170 ft-lbs @ 4500 rpm

162 ft-lbs @4200 rpm

181 ft-lbs @ 3900 rpm

175 ft-lbs @ 4400 rpm

0-60 MPH

9.2 sec

9.2 sec

8.3 sec

9.1 sec

Quarter mile

16.9 sec

17.2 sec

16.6

17.0 sec

60-0 (ft.)

125

119

121

117

The top of the range optional 2.0L engine which is optional in the SE and Titanium trims puts out 240 horsepower and 270 foot-pounds of torque which pushes the Escape to 60 miles per hour in just 7.0 seconds while providing commendable fuel efficiency. Comparing the competition, the 2016 Honda CR-V makes the most power, and delivers the highest torque output. 

Fuel Economy
8.0/10

The EPA has rated the Ford Escape 2.5L inline-4 base engine at 22 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway and 25 mpg combined. The 1.6L turbocharged inline-4 is rated at 23 mpg in the city, 32 mpg in the highway and 26 mpg combined. Upgrading to AWD results in a drop in these figures, which further tarnishes the Escape’s reputation as an inefficient vehicle. The Ford Escape also comes with a smaller 15.1 gallon fuel tank, which also hinders its driving range. 

Models

Ford Escape

Mitsubishi Outlander

Honda CR-V

Nissan Rogue

MPG (city)

22

25

26

26

MPG (hwy)

31

31

33

33

MPG (combined)

25

27

29

28

Fuel tank capacity (gal.)

15.1

16.6

15.3

14.5

Among the competition, the Honda CR-V stands as the most fuel efficient vehicle, returning the highest combined fuel economy. The Nissan Rogue comes close, but lags behind a very small margin. On the other end of the spectrum, the Ford Escape disappoints with lower fuel economy standards than what has been set by the segment. Additionally, the Mitsubishi Outlander comes with the largest fuel tank among the rivals, which results in impressive driving range figures. 

Interior
8.0/10

The cabin of the 2016 Ford Escape isn't as spacious as some of the competitors like the class leading Honda CR-V but it still is a nice place to be in with ample room on both the rows however, the dash is designed awkwardly and it eats up front knee room for taller individuals. The cabin ergonomics are spot-on, and all the controls feel well within the reach of the driver. 

About the cargo capacity, behind the rear seats, it has 34.3 cubic feet of cargo volume and while the rear seats are folded it offers 67.8 cubic feet of cargo volume which isn't the best in class but is enough to carry whatever is needed. All in all, the 2016 Ford Escape doesn’t exactly impress with its cabin space, but still offers decent interior ambience to keep you relaxed for most trips. 

Models

Ford Escape

Mitsubishi Outlander

Honda CR-V

Nissan Rogue

Passenger capacity

5

7

5

5

Front (head/shoulder/leg) (in.)

39.9/56.0/43.1

40.6/56.6/40.9

39.9/58.6/41.3

41.6/56.6/43.0

Second (head/shoulder/leg) (in.)

39.0/55.3/36.8

38.4/56.1/37.3

38.6/56.4/38.3

38.5/55.9/37.9

Cargo Capacity with rear seats up (cu.ft.)

34.3

10.3

37.2

39.3

Cargo Capacity with rear seats folded (cu-ft)

67.8

34.2

70.9

70.0

Comparing the competition, the Nissan Rogue offers the most headroom in the front row, with the Honda CR-V and the Ford Escape offering the most shoulder space and legroom at the front, respectively. In the second row, the Ford offers the most headroom, while the Honda CR-V has the most shoulder space and legroom on offer. The 2016 Honda CR-V also offers the most cargo space with and without having to fold the second row of seats down. Some highlight interior features offered with the 2016 Ford Escape include:

  • Tilt and Telescopic Steering. 
  • Heated Steering Wheel.
  • Driver Seat Memory.
  • Power Adjustable Seats. 
  • Heated Front Seats.
  • Dual Zone Climate Control.
  • Leather Steering Wheel. 
  • Armrest Storage. 

2016 Ford Escape Infotainment

The 2016 Ford Escape is offered with a fairly standard infotainment unit, offering you all the basics you need to stay entertained and gagged during routine trips. The Ford Escape comes with a 4.0 inch infotainment screen, which features basic apps and settings to fiddle around with. There’s an in-built navigation system for added convenience, and an FM Stereo is offered as standard. You can stream music via bluetooth, but Aux and USB ports are also supported. Some key infotainment features offered with the 2016 Ford Escape include:

  • 4.0-inch LCD Display.
  • USB and Aux Support. 
  • AM/FM Stereo System.
  • Speed-Sensitive Volume Control.
  • In-Built Navigation.
  • Bluetooth Audio Streaming. 
  • 4-Speaker Sound System.

Exterior
8.0/10

If the 2016 model year Ford Escape was to be described in a few words in terms of its exterior design, calling it a beefed-up Ford Focus wouldn't be wrong. The Boxy shape of the original Escape has disappeared and the Escape now looks sporty, sleek and to be accurate, the Escape looks modern without losing the traditional SUV charm. Overall, the design is more interesting and exciting than some of its competitors. The Escape looks aggressive and draws attention with a good deal of road presence.

Models

Ford Escape

Mitsubishi Outlander

Honda CR-V

Nissan Rogue

Curb Weight (lbs.)

3598

3318

3358

3408

Length (in.)

178.1

184.8

179.4

182.3

Width (in.)

72.4

71.3

71.6

72.4

Height (in.)

66.3

66.1

64.7

66.3

Ground clearance (in.)

7.9

8.5

6.3

7.4

Wheelbase (in)

105.9

105.1

103.1

106.5

Among the competition, the Ford Escape measures to be the heaviest vehicle in this comparison. Additionally, the Mitsubishi Outlander stands as the longest SUV in the lot, while the Escape and the Nissa Rogue measure the widest. The Ford Escape also stands the tallest, while the Mitsubishi Outlander offers the greatest ground clearance. The Nissan Rogue comes with the longest wheelbase as well. Some highlight exterior features offered with the 2016 Ford Escape include:

  • Foot-Operated Liftgate.
  • Splash Guards.
  • LED Tail Lights.
  • Heated Side Mirrors.
  • HID Headlights. 
  • Chrome Grille Surrounds. 
  • Panoramic Sunroof
  • 18-inch Alloy Wheels. 

Safety
7.0/10

The 2016 model year Ford Escape stands as a vehicle with high safety standards. The Ford Escape boasts impressive frontal crash scores and impressive side-impact rigidity. The NHTSA has awarded the 2016 Ford Escape with an impressive 4-Star Safety Rating. Furthermore, the IIHS has also acknowledged the Escape’s safety merit with a respectable “Good” score under most categories. Some key safety features offered with the 2016 Ford Escape include:

  • Blind Spot Monitoring. 
  • ESP and Traction Control. 
  • Dual-Stage Airbags.
  • Roll Stability Control and Curve Control
  • LATCH Anchors. 
  • Post-Crash Alert System
  • Passive Anti-Theft System
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring System.

Final Verdict

The 2016 Ford Escape is more focused on delivering a fun and joyful driving experience rather than the day to day usability of a typical crossover like the CR-V. The harsh truth is that buyers in this segment aren’t looking for what the Escape has to offer, which is ‘performance’, instead buyers want practicality and fuel efficiency which some of its competitors offer. Overall, the Escape is a great vehicle if you can ignore the awkward position of the dash that eats up knee room and if you’re looking for a somewhat practical vehicle that can also perform when needed.

Trims

    S
    $23,590 onwards
    • 1St row LCD monitor
    • AM/FM stereo
    • Cloth Seat trim
    • Manual front air conditioning
    • Pre-Collision system w/ pedestrian detection
    SE
    $25,790 onwards
    • 17-inch silver painted aluminum wheels
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Siriusxm AM/FM/Satellite
    Titanium
    $29,995 onwards
    • 18-inch painted aluminum Wheels
    • Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning
    • Parking assist

Compare to similar cars

Price

$23,590- $31,745

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8.04

Horsepower

240 hp @ 5500 rpm

Torque

270 lb.-ft. @ 3000 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$42,070- $44,710

Gasoline

8.49

252 hp @ 5500 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm

5

Read Review

$24,065- $31,285

Gasoline

7.47

138 hp @ 4900 rpm

148 lb.-ft. @ 1850 rpm

5

Read Review

$20,300- $26,730

Gasoline

7.78

138 hp @ 4900 rpm

148 lb.-ft. @ 1850 rpm

5

Read Review

$22,600- $31,490

Gasoline

7.89

182 hp @ 6700 rpm

172 lb.-ft. @ 4900 rpm

5

Read Review

$20,995- $33,695

Gasoline

7.05

173 hp @ 6000 rpm

166 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

$31,050- $52,970

Gasoline

8.32

290 hp @ 6400 rpm

255 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

7

Read Review

$23,975- $35,725

Gasoline

7.92

182 hp @ 6700 rpm

172 lb.-ft. @ 4900 rpm

5

Read Review

$19,215- $25,990

Gasoline

7.73

141 hp @ 6500 rpm

127 lb.-ft. @ 4300 rpm

5

Read Review

$23,745- $33,395

Gasoline

8.1

185 hp @ 6400 rpm

181 lb.-ft. @ 3900 rpm

5

Read Review

2016 Ford Escape vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    9.2 sec16.9 sec112 mph
    6.9 sec--
    7 sec--
    7 sec15.6 sec133 mph
    7.2 sec15.4 sec-
    7.5 sec15.7 sec139 mph

    2016 Ford Escape vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      22 mpg31 mpg25 mpg15.1 gal.341/480.5 mi.
      26 mpg34 mpg29 mpg14 gal.364/476 mi.
      26 mpg33 mpg29 mpg15.3 gal.397.8/504.9 mi.
      26 mpg33 mpg28 mpg14.5 gal.377/478.5 mi.
      25 mpg34 mpg28 mpg13.2 gal.330/448.8 mi.
      28 mpg33 mpg28 mpg14 gal.350/462 mi.

      2016 Ford Escape vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        178.1 in.72.4 in.66.3 in.7.9 in.105.9 in.
        198.3 in.78.9 in.70 in.7.8 in.112.8 in.
        192.4 in.72.2 in.66.6 in.7.2 in.113.8 in.
        191.1 in.75.8 in.68.1 in.8 in.109.8 in.
        189.8 in.76.5 in.69.3 in.8.6 in.114.8 in.Jeep USA
        189.6 in.72.4 in.66.1 in.8.7 in.108.1 in.

        2016 Ford Escape vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          34.3 cu.ft.98.1 cu.ft.67.8 cu.ft.
          10.3 cu.ft.128.2 cu.ft.63.3 cu.ft.
          23 cu.ft.104.4 cu.ft.63.4 cu.ft.Jeep USA
          26.9 cu.ft.100.6 cu.ft.57.3 cu.ft.
          13.8 cu.ft.144.9 cu.ft.83.7 cu.ft.
          21 cu.ft.151.7 cu.ft.81.7 cu.ft.

          2016 Ford Escape vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            83.1 cu.ft.34.3 cu.ft.67.8 cu.ft.-
            68.3 cu.ft.36.3 cu.ft.68.3 cu.ft.-Jeep USA
            68.4 cu.ft.31.5 cu.ft.63.7 cu.ft.-
            5.1 cu.ft.37.2 cu.ft.70.9 cu.ft.-
            73.3 cu.ft.35.5 cu.ft.73.3 cu.ft.-
            56.1 cu.ft.23.8 cu.ft.56.1 cu.ft.-

            2016 Ford Escape vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              1500 lbs.1105 lbs.3515 lbs.
              6200 lbs.1180 lbs.4545 lbs.Jeep USA
              5200 lbs.-2805 lbs.
              5000 lbs.1703 lbs.4443 lbs.
              4500 lbs.1000 lbs.3655 lbs.Jeep USA
              3500 lbs.1018 lbs.3237 lbs.

              2016 Ford Escape SUV Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              2

              Recalls

              0

              Investigations

              854

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

              Top Ford Cars

              2016 Ford Expedition

              Horsepower : 365 hp @ 5000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 18 mpg

              0-60 : 6.2 sec

              #1

              2016 Ford F-150

              Horsepower : 325 hp @ 5750 rpm

              MPG Combined : 20 mpg

              0-60 : 6.2 sec

              #2

              2016 Ford Mustang

              Horsepower : 300 hp @ 6500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 21 mpg

              0-60 : 5.5 sec

              #3

              2016 Ford Explorer

              Horsepower : 290 hp @ 6400 rpm

              MPG Combined : 20 mpg

              0-60 : 7 sec

              #4

              2016 Ford Taurus

              Horsepower : 288 hp @ 6500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 21 mpg

              0-60 : 6.5 sec

              #5

              2016 Ford Flex

              Horsepower : 287 hp @ 6500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 19 mpg

              0-60 : 7.3 sec

              #6

              2016 Ford Transit

              Horsepower : 275 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 17 mpg

              0-60 : 7.9 sec

              #7

              2016 Ford Edge

              Horsepower : 245 hp @ 5500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 24 mpg

              0-60 : 7.3 sec

              #8

              2016 Ford Fusion Hybrid Sedan

              Horsepower : 188 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 42 mpg

              0-60 : 8.6 sec

              #9

              2016 Ford C-Max Hybrid

              Horsepower : 188 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 40 mpg

              0-60 : 8.9 sec

              #10

              2016 Ford Escape User Reviews

              0.0

              [1 Reviews]

              1

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              2

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              3

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              4

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              5

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              POPULAR TAGS

              SL

              Samantha Laskero

              2015 Ford Escape

              S 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: July 1, 2024

              FORD ESCAPE

              Pros - ["The smooth ride", "The radio's bass"]

              Cons - ["Tinted windows", "No sunroof"]

              The ford escapes have always driven very smooth and doesn't jerk when accelerated like other cars do. The 2015 does not have a sunroof like the 2010 I use to have did. The car is really great on gas as well

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review