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2020 Ford Escape

Rating7.4

Ranked #6 in

Compact SUV

Write Review

$24,885 - $36,835

Starting Price

Year

Body Style

SUV Hybrid SUV

M. Hannigan

Content Writer,

Updated on November 3, 2023

Pros	Cons	What's New
Powerful and efficient engine options	Interior materials aren't impressive but not poor.	Completely Redesigned for 2020MY.
Lots of standard advanced driver assistance features (Ford Co-Pilot360).
Sliding 2nd row with ample passenger and cargo room.
Good Handling and comfortable ride quality.
User-friendly optional infotainment system

Specs & Features

$24,885

price

181 hp @ 6000 rpm

horsepower

177 lb.-ft.

torque

8-Speed Automatic

transmission

1.5L 3cyl FWD 8A

engine

basic warranty

Overview

With a complete redesign, the 2020 Ford Escape is lighter by almost 200 pounds and more spacious inside with best-in-class ratings in the compact SUV segment. Ford revamped the suspension, giving the Escape a more comfortable ride while Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assistance features now comes standard across all trims. Pricing for the 2020 Escape starts from $24,885, which is just a $780 increase for all these improvements, a great bargain indeed.

The 2020 Escape lineup also features a hybrid and plug-in hybrid, making up to four powertrain choices for you. Some of you might not recognize the new Escape as the exterior design language takes a more athletic stance with a sloping roofline and reimagined front fascia. The latest Escape gives a tough rivalry to the class-leaders like Honda CR-V, VW Tiguan, and Mazda CX-5.

Buying Advice

The SE trim adds a lot of creature comforts with a potent engine that does not sacrifice on performance. For people who want a more powerful engine and a feature-loaded SUV, the Titanium trim should be their choice.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The improvements in the 2020 Ford Escape aren't confined to a total redesign. The fourth-generation adds a slew of features to Ford's America lineup that was previously only available on European versions. The base variant is only available in the FWD configuration while the other 3 Trims can be had in either an FWD or an AWD setup. Three Engines on offer are -a 2.5L Naturally Aspirated Inline-4 unit on the base S trim, a 1.5L turbocharged Inline-4 unit on the SE and SEL trims, and a powerful 2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4 unit on the Titanium trim.

The MSRP for the basic Escape is $24,885. The Escape Titanium, the top-of-the-line model, begins at about $33,400. You also have the option of combining your Escape with the other alternatives accessible to you.

Buying Advice

Most buyers should start with the SE trim as it adds more infotainment technology and creature comforts than the base trim. You can also avail optional all-wheel-drive configuration for better grip and all-weather capability on the 2020 Escape SE. For people who want a more powerful engine and a luxurious SUV, the Escape Titanium should suffice their desires.

Features
7.0/10

"Ford's redesigned compact SUV is reasonably priced considering its added features and new hybrid model." - Car and Driver

The 2020 Ford Escape comes in four trims: S, SE, SEL, and Titanium. The base Escape S model starts at an MSRP of $24,885 while the top-of-the-line Escape Titanium starts at $33,400. The prices of the 2020 Escape see an increase of only $780 over the previous model year but gains plenty of driver assistance technology as a part of standard Ford Co-Pilot360. There are selectable drive modes not offered in 2019.

Ford offers the new Escape with 3 engine options. All trims except the base S get the option of an AWD drive train. The entry-level Escape S comes standard with a 180-horsepower turbo-three engine, replacing the 2019 Escape's 168-horsepower four-cylinder. The 2019 Escape offered 179 hp and 245-horsepower turbo-fours as upgrades, but the 2020 model replaces those with an available 250-horsepower turbo-four.

Trims	S	SE	SEL	Titanium
MSRP (FWD)	$24,885	$27,105	$29,265	-
MSRP (AWD)	$26,385	$28,605	$32,640	$36,435
Key Features	Emergency braking assist	Adds/Upgrades to S -	Adds/Upgrades to SE Sport -	Adds/Upgrades to SEL -
	Post-collision safety system	Electronic automatic temperature control	6-speaker stereo system	10 speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio
	Cloth bucket seats	Ford Co-Pilot 360 Assist	ActiveX seating material	Leather upholstery
	Cruise control	Hands-free entry	Autolamp headlamp	Adaptive cruise control
	6-way driver and 4-way passenger manual front seats	10-way power driver's seat w/front-row heat	Panoramic Vista Roof	10-way power drivers and 6-way power passengers seat
	17 in. Shadow Silver-Painted Aluminum Wheels	Ford Pass Connect	18 in. wheels	19 in. wheels

Fuel Economy
6.0/10

"With its base engine, the Escape gets better gas mileage than most of its peers." - U. S. News

The 2020 Escape with the base engine gets an EPA estimated 27 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, which is a better gas mileage than most of its rivals. By comparison, the rivals like the Honda CR-V get 26/32 mpg city/highway. With AWD, the fuel economy drops to 26/31 mpg. If you buy the 2.0-liter turbo-four model, you will get 23/31 mpg (AWD).

Models	2020 Ford Escape	2020 Mazda CX-5	2020 Volkswagen Tiguan	2020 Honda CR-V
MPG (city)	27	26	25	26
MPG (highway)	33	32	31	32
MPG (combined)	30	28	28	29
Range (city/highway/comb.)	396/485/441 miles	387/477 miles	370/459 miles	337/444 miles
Tank Capacity	14.7 gal	14.9 gal	14.8 gal	15.3 gal

In terms of range though, the 14.7-gallon gas tank standard across the lineup delivers around 441 miles of mixed driving range. If you want to save more on fuel, look for the Escape Hybrid or Escape plug-in hybrid models. The hybrid versions with front-wheel drive deliver 44/37/41 mpg. while the plug-in hybrid Escape is rated at 41 mpg combined.

Interior
7.0/10

"With easy entry and exit and a high driving perch, the Escape feels and drives smaller than it looks. That's a good thing" – Edmunds

2020 Ford Escape Seating and Comfort

The all-new Ford Escape gets both longer and wider dimensions than the previous-gen model, thus offering more cargo and passenger space inside. This five-seater compact SUV offers enough room even for tall adults in the back seat. The 2020 Escape standouts for its class-leading passenger space. As for the cargo, you get more cargo space than many of its peers, rated at 33.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 65.4 cubes with the rear seats folded down.

Talking of Escape's interior design, the center-stack looks simple but intuitive. Ford includes a touchscreen and physical buttons for easy access. With the SE and above trim levels, an 8-inch touch screen with SYNC 3 infotainment system plays the starring role here. All modern infotainment features such as navigation, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hot spot are available. The base Escape S features the SYNC system with a 4.2-inch display, a six-speaker audio system, and a USB port.

Models	2020 Ford Escape	2020 Mazda CX-5	2020 Volkswagen Tiguan	2020 Honda CR-V
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	7
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	40.0/57.6/42.4	40.0/57.2/40.9	39.7/57.1/41.0	39.6/57.0/40.2
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.3/56.0/40.7	38.5/55.5/39.7	39.0/54.8/39.6	39.1/55.9/36.5
Cargo Volume	37.5 ft.³	29.9 ft.³	30.9 ft.³	37.6 ft.³

The Spacious Interiors of the Ford Escape has a good set of features inside. Though there are ample soft-touch materials the interior materials are on the cheap side. Even on the higher trim levels, there is a lot of hard plastic and questionable-looking faux-wood grains. The outward visibility is excellent for the driver.

These are some of the features offered in the Interiors of the Ford

Adaptive Cruise Control
Blind Spot Monitoring System
Auto-Dimming Rear-View Mirror
Ambient Lighting
Automatic Start-Stop System
Power Adjustable Front Seats
Keyless Access with Push Button Start
Dual Zone Climate Control
Leather Seats and Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel

This is the list of Features available from the infotainment system of the 2020 Ford Escape

Android Auto and Apple Car Play Compatibility
8” Touchscreen Infotainment System with Navigation
SiriusXM Radio Subscription
10 Speaker SONY Audio System
FM/AM Radio connectivity
Dual Zone Climate Control System
Bluetooth Telephony and Connectivity to Multiple devices
HD Radio

Exterior
7.0/10

"Still taut and sleek from the outside, the Escape drops all SUV pretense with its fast roofline and lower ride height" – The Car Connection

For 2020 the Ford Escape has been completely redesigned, almost looks like a new SUV in the market. Upfront the styling reflects some European design and is more aerodynamic than before. The 2020 Escape's exterior screams sportiness from the moment you first see it. The exterior shell flaunts an Aston Martin-like front grille (signature of modern fords) and numerous tight lines visible from the side profile the makes the SUV feel like it has been carefully made and tested in an aerodynamic tunnel.

The Rear End looks similar to other SUVs of the segment while the Skid plates on the Rear Bumper adds to the “Tough” feel of the SUV. The latest Escape grows in dimensions as well, measuring 180.5 inches in length, and rides on a wheelbase of 106.7 inches. This makes it about two inches longer than the outgoing model.

Models	2020 Ford Escape	2020 Mazda CX-5	2020 Volkswagen Tiguan	2020 Honda CR-V
Curb weight	3299 lbs.	3541 lbs.	3721 lbs.	3307 lbs.
Length	180.5"	179.1"	185.1"	180.6"
Width	74.1"	72.5"	72.4"	73.0"
Height	66.1"	66.2"	66.3"	66.1"
Ground clearance	7.8"	7.5"	7.9"	7.8"
Wheelbase	106.7"	106.2"	109.8"	104.7"

The 2020 Ford Escape looks big in the Flesh but in terms of sheer numbers, it’s compact yet spacious than some of its rivals. The new Escape’s wheelbase is similar to the rest of the competition and so is the width and height. But it is an efficient design that offers more space inside than most competitors.

Ford has decked the exteriors of the 2020 Escape with some decent features. Some of those features include

Outside Powered and Heated Mirrors
19” Alloy Wheels
Foot Activated Powered Tailgate
Fog Lamps
Rear Parking Sensors
Autonomous Parallel Parking
LED Accents on Bi-Xenon Headlamps

Safety
9.0/10

The 2020 Ford Escape performed well crash tests conducted by the NHTSA and earned a 5-star overall safety rating. The IIHS named the 2020 Escape a Top Safety Pick, thanks to the highest rating of Good in six crash tests.

Every 2020 Escape comes with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, curve control, lane keep assist, driver drowsiness monitoring, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and a rearview camera. Many of these features are part of Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite of technology. Some of those features include:

Rear View Camera
Adaptive Cruise Control
Rear Parking Sensors
Active Lane Control
Blind Spot Monitors
Seatbelts with Pre Tensioners and Load Limiters

Competition
9.0/10

2020 Ford Escape vs 2020 Honda CR-V

There is no denying the fact that the Honda CR-V is one of the best SUVs in the segment. It flaunts an easy to understand infotainment system and best in class cargo space. The CR-V additionally has a rich lodge that offers two lines of seating and has enough space to oblige grown-ups. The Ford, however, offers a lot of technology on board and is the better handling and fun to drive SUV among the two.

2020 Ford Escape vs 2020 Mazda CX-5

The Mazda CX-5 is one of the sportiest SUVs in the segment. The Mazda offers one of the Best 2nd-row seating arrangements in the class. When it comes to the off-road ability, both the SUV’s are nearly matched and have potent 4WD systems. The Escape, however, offers a slightly better handling package and has a roomier cabin as compared to the Mazda.

2020 Ford Escape vs 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

The Volkswagen Tiguan has to be one of the best-built SUVs in the segment. The car has been solidly put together and exudes presence in flesh. It also has a potent AWD system in the form of the 4Motion technology on offer. The Ford Escape though offers a much sportier ride and an engaging drive experience.

Final Verdict

The 2020 Ford Escape has been targeted towards the consumers as a fun-to-drive SUV with a hint of sportiness. This is a great daily driver, and should you opt for one of the turbocharged engines, the highway drives will be fun too. The interiors are spacious as well and the cargo space is capable of fulfilling the demands of most consumers. What makes the Ford Escape an irresistible proposition is its 2.0L EcoBoost motor that totally blows the competition. Overall, if you are in the market to buy an SUV that can take you off roads and also give you immense pleasure of driving, the Ford Escape is an SUV you can’t go wrong with.

Trims

S
$24,885 onwards

4.2-Inch central display
Onboard Wi-Fi hotspot
Six-Speaker sound system
Two USB ports

SE
$27,105 onwards

8-Inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Heated Front Seats
Keyless ignition and entry
Power-Adjustable driver's seat
Single-zone automatic climate control system

SEL
$29,265 onwards

Driver-Seat memory settings
Hands-Free liftgate
Heated steering wheel
Rear parking sensors
Remote start

Titanium
$36,835 onwards

Adaptive cruise control
Dual-zone climate control system
Lane keeping system
Led headlights
Power-Adjustable front passenger seat

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2020 Ford Escape vs competitor's 0-60

Car Name	0-60 MPH	Quarter Mile	Top Speed	Source
2020 Ford Escape Ranked #2	7.7 sec	16 sec	110 mph
2020 Honda CR-V Ranked #1	7.4 sec	15.7 sec	124 mph	reddit
2020 Toyota RAV4 Ranked #3	8.1 sec	15.4 sec	114 mph
2020 Volkswagen Tiguan Ranked #4	8.2 sec	16.3 sec	-
2020 Kia Sportage Ranked #5	8.3 sec	16.5 sec	122 mph
2020 GMC Terrain Ranked #6	8.4 sec	-	-

Car Name	MPG City	MPG Highway	MPG Combined	Fuel Tank Capacity	Range (C/H)
2020 Ford Escape Ranked #2	27 mpg	33 mpg	30 mpg	14.8 gal.	399.60/488.40 mi.
2020 Kia Niro Ranked #1	51 mpg	46 mpg	49 mpg	11.9 gal.	606.90/547.40 mi.
2020 Honda HR-V Ranked #2	28 mpg	34 mpg	30 mpg	13.2 gal.	369.6/448.8 mi.
2020 Honda CR-V Ranked #2	28 mpg	34 mpg	30 mpg	14 gal.	392/476 mi.
2020 Toyota RAV4 Ranked #2	26 mpg	35 mpg	30 mpg	14.5 gal.	391.5/507.5 mi.
2020 Subaru Forester Ranked #3	26 mpg	33 mpg	29 mpg	16.6 gal.	431.6/547.8 mi.

2020 Ford Escape vs competitor's dimensions

Car Name	Length	Width	Height	Ground Clearance	Wheelbase
2020 Ford Escape Ranked #12	180.5 in.	74.1 in.	66.1 in.	7.3 in.	106.7 in.
2020 Kia Sorento Ranked #1	189 in.	74.4 in.	66.3 in.	7.3 in.	109.4 in.
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Ranked #2	187.8 in.	74.4 in.	66.1 in.	7.3 in.	108.9 in.
2020 Volkswagen Tiguan Ranked #3	185.1 in.	72.4 in.	66.3 in.	7.9 in.	109.8 in.
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Ranked #4	184.8 in.	71.3 in.	67.3 in.	8.5 in.	105.1 in.
2020 Nissan Rogue Ranked #5	184.5 in.	72.4 in.	68 in.	7.8 in.	106.5 in.

2020 Ford Escape vs competitor's trunk space

Car Name	Trunk Capacity	Passenger Volume	Max Trunk Volume
2020 Ford Escape Ranked #2	33.5 cu.ft.	104 cu.ft.	65.4 cu.ft.
2020 Buick Encore Ranked #1	18.8 cu.ft.	92.8 cu.ft.	48.4 cu.ft.
2020 Hyundai Tucson Ranked #3	31 cu.ft.	102.2 cu.ft.	61.9 cu.ft.
2020 Kia Sorento Ranked #4	11.3 cu.ft.	154.2 cu.ft.	73 cu.ft.
2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Ranked #5	22.6 cu.ft.	94.6 cu.ft.	48.9 cu.ft.
2020 Subaru Forester Ranked #6	35.4 cu.ft.	111.9 cu.ft.	76.1 cu.ft.

2020 Ford Escape vs competitor's cargo space

Car Name	Cargo Volume	Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area	Max Cargo Volume	Bed Length	Source
2020 Ford Escape Ranked #1	83.1 cu.ft.	33.5 cu.ft.	65.4 cu.ft.	-
2020 GMC Terrain Ranked #2	63.3 cu.ft.	29.6 cu.ft.	63.3 cu.ft.	-
2020 Buick Encore Ranked #3	89.7 cu.ft.	18.8 cu.ft.	48.4 cu.ft.	74 ft.
2020 Jeep Compass Ranked #4	-	-	59.8 cu.ft.	-	Jeep USA
2020 Kia Sportage Ranked #5	60.1 cu.ft.	30.7 cu.ft.	60.1 cu.ft.	-
2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Ranked #6	78 cu.ft.	22.6 cu.ft.	48.9 cu.ft.	-

2020 Ford Escape vs competitor's towing capacity

Car Name	Towing Capacity	Payload Capacity	Weight	Source
2020 Ford Escape Ranked #4	2000 lbs.	-	3298 lbs.
2020 Jeep Cherokee Ranked #1	4500 lbs.	1000 lbs.	3590 lbs.	Jeep USA
2020 Honda HR-V Ranked #2	2959 lbs.	1095 lbs.	2906 lbs.
2020 Kia Niro Ranked #3	2800 lbs.	849 lbs.	3100 lbs.
2020 Mazda CX-5 Ranked #4	2000 lbs.	1034 lbs.	3541 lbs.
2020 Kia Sorento Ranked #4	2000 lbs.	1525 lbs.	3810 lbs.

2020 Ford Escape SUV Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

Recalls

Investigations

1386

Complaints

Overall Safety Rating

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2020 Ford Escape Hybrid SUV

Horsepower : 198 hp

MPG Combined : 41 mpg

0-60 : 9.8 sec

#10

2020 Ford Escape User Reviews

0.0

[1 Reviews]

[0.0%] [0 Reviews]

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Christina Frady

2020 Ford Escape

S 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A)

Not Rated

User Overall Rating

Posted On: August 21, 2024

2020 Ford Escape Hybrid

Pros - ["great Gas mileage", "Quiet Engine", "leather interior"]

Cons - ["back seat doesn't fold flat for storage", "the chrome accent around window popped off", "back of seat material makes hard to slide things into trunk"]

Offers great gas mileage. The vehicle offers an overall smooth ride. I would change the back seat to be flat and smoother material to allow for things to slide when hauling cargo inside. The foot sensor to open back door doesn't work well with back up camera.

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News

Car Comparison

Specs & Features

Overview

Buying Advice

Comparative Analysis against Competition

Buying Advice

Features7.0/10

Fuel Economy6.0/10

Interior7.0/10

2020 Ford Escape Seating and Comfort

Exterior7.0/10

Safety9.0/10

Competition9.0/10

2020 Ford Escape vs 2020 Honda CR-V

2020 Ford Escape vs 2020 Mazda CX-5

2020 Ford Escape vs 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

Final Verdict

Trims

Compare to similar cars

2020 Ford Escape vs competitor's 0-60

2020 Ford Escape vs competitor's MPG

2020 Ford Escape vs competitor's dimensions

2020 Ford Escape vs competitor's trunk space

2020 Ford Escape vs competitor's cargo space

2020 Ford Escape vs competitor's towing capacity

2020 Ford Escape SUV Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

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2020 Ford Escape User Reviews

0.0

2020 Ford Escape Hybrid

Pros - ["great Gas mileage", "Quiet Engine", "leather interior"]

Cons - ["back seat doesn't fold flat for storage", "the chrome accent around window popped off", "back of seat material makes hard to slide things into trunk"]

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