2021 Ford Escape Hybrid SUV

The 2021 Hybrid model of the Escape is offered in 3 trims: the SE, SEL, and Titanium priced at $28,030, $30,500, and $33,600 respectively for the FWD models. You can also choose the AWD model, which will cost you an additional 1.5-2 grand. All the trims come powered by a 2.5L Atkinson Cycle inline-4 hybrid engine mated to CVT. However, as you move towards the upper models, the existing features either improve or additional features get fitted.

Which trim should you buy?

The maker offers 3 trims of the 2021 Escape Hybrid. All come powered by the same engine, but you can choose between FWD and AWD. Based on the features and comforts that come fitted in all the trims, we recommend buying the Titanium model which is priced at $33,600 and $35,100 for the FWD and AWD model respectively. The Titanium brings important features like Ford Co-Pilot 360 Assist as standard, Parking, and Reverse Sensing System and other important safety systems, LED headlights and Fog Lamps, Power adjusted seats, 12.3” digital instrument cluster, B&O Premium Audio, and support for essential additional packages.

Atkinson Cycle engines are well known for their fuel efficiency, and the Escape being fitted to a 2.5L Atkinson Cycle inline-4 engine impresses us with the mileage it offers. In general, the 2.5L engine readily offers 44,37,41 MPG in the city, highways, and combined respectively. The fuel tank comprises a 14.3-gallon tank, which helps it have a fuel range of 629,529 and 586 miles respectively.

The Kia Niro comes with a 1.6L inline-4 engine which offers the least power and performance numbers that we have seen in the performance comparison. However, the lesser power and its lighter curb weight help it attain an exemplary fuel economy. The Escape quickly follows it, with admirable numbers and a larger fuel tank, which helps it with a laudable fuel range. Comparing the fuel economy of the regular versions of the SUVs with the Hybrid ones, we see how the Hybrids offer a better economy and give us enough reasons to buy one.

Ford offers a big list of standard features and comforts that are fitted in the SE, however as you move towards the SEL and Titanium, the feature list increases, or the existing ones gain an upgrade. The cabin of the Escape has an impressive passenger volume of 102.2 cubic feet and accommodates 5 individuals. The amount of head, shoulder, and legroom offered both in the front and rear feels adequate. The seats can be manually adjusted, come cloth wrapped as standard, and are wide, comfortable, and well padded. The front seats are positioned well, which presents the driver and front passenger with a wide and commanding view of the road ahead. All the buttons and knobs are well within the driver’s reach and the interior is well lit.

Standard features include 6 and 4-way manual front passenger seats for driver and passenger, 60/40 split rear seats, manual tilt-telescopic steering wheel with cruise and audio control buttons, 2 12V power points, power windows, 6.5” LCD driver display, dual-zone automatic climate control, USB charging ports and a 6-speaker audio system with 8” touch LCD. The SEL and Titanium offer better and added features like a heated 10/6-way power adjusted driver and passenger seat, steering and side-view mirrors, invisible keypad, all power windows, 12.3” configurable driver’s display, electronic automatic temperature control, and 10-speaker premium audio by B&O.

At the back lies a trunk with 37.5 cubic feet of capacity, which is awesome compared to what the rivals have to offer. The spacious trunk can be well used to store a good amount of bags and luggage, and small-sized items. As the rear seats can be further folded into a 60/40 split, additional space of 65.4 cubic feet can be availed of, which can come as an essential in a vast number of situations.

All the SUVs offer a 5 person seating arrangement. The Escape and RAV4 offer the best passenger head, shoulder, and leg space. Furthermore, both offer the same size of standard trunk space. Kia Niro lies at the bottom holding the smallest trunk among its rivals. 

Some of the standout interior features are as follows:

• 12.3" configurable LCD digital instrument cluster
• Electronic automatic temperature control
• Heated and 10/6-way power adjusted driver/passenger seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Smart-charging USB ports for the rear seat
• Hands-free, foot-activated liftgate
• Power panoramic sunroof

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The 2021 Escape Hybrid comes with a capable Infotainment Unit (IU) that is user-friendly and comes with a generous amount of features. As standard, the IU comes fitted with a 6-speaker audio system that is programmed with an AM/FM/MP3 player. An 8” touch LCD is fitted at the center of the dashboard, which is loaded with Ford’s SYNC 3 software and has in-built Android Auto, Apple SUVPlay, 911 Assist and Voice Recognition, and Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming.

All the models of the Escape Hybrid have a complimentary 3-month trial of SiriusXM, and a 10-speaker premium audio system by B&O comes optional in the SE and SEL but is standard in the Titanium. Some of the highlights of the infotainment system are as follows:

• 6-speaker audio with AM/FM/MP3 player
• 8” high-resolution SYNC 3 touch LCD
• Android Auto and Apple SUVPlay
• 911 Assist and AppLink
• SiriusXM 3-month trial
• 10-speaker premium audio by B&O (O)

In terms of appeal, the Ford Escape Hybrid sits between a premium and practical-looking SUV. The exterior design language isn’t bland, but not too sleek either. It looks friendly, seasoned, and pleasant. The dimension is on the regular side, while the curb weight is significantly lower than its most rivals. The lower weight merits responsive steering and minimal body rolls while treading through curves and corners. Standard features include halogen headlamps which look sharp in design with a grille with chrome surround and LED tail lamps at the back. A 17” shadow silver-painted aluminum wheel comes fitted to all the wheels and privacy glass comes standard on all the hybrid models.

However, the SEL comes fitted with halogen projector headlamps, fog lamps, and LED signature lighting comes standard. Additionally, a panoramic vista sunroof comes along as standard in the SEL, but optional in the SE. The Titanium comes with a few essential exterior features, such as LED fog lamps, Chrome beltline moldings, and LED Headlamps with DRL. Additionally, an 18” Machined-Face Aluminum wheel comes fitted, and it spices up the appeal significantly.

Among all the SUVs, the Kia Niro is the lightest and also happens to be the smallest. Following it, the Escape is significantly lighter compared to its mid-sized body. The smaller dimensions and lower weight offer responsive handling and lesser body roll in corners and curves. Smaller dimensions offer easy city maneuver and easy parking in tight places. The RAV4 and CR-V have the best ground clearances which make them great for terrains and challenging conditions. Some of the standout exterior features are as follows:

• 18” Machined-Face Aluminum wheels
• Halogen projector-beam headlamps
• LED signature lights
• LED fog lights
• LED headlamps
• Rear Privacy glass

Ford is a household name when it comes to SUVs in the US, and the maker has lived up to the reputation for the past few decades now. The Ford Escape Hybrid comes with a generous amount of safety and driver-assist features. The Escape is based on Ford’s C2 platform and consists of a chassis made from steel and aluminum to reduce the weight. The chassis is fitted with capable suspensions that help in stability and reduce jerk and shocks in bad roads or terrain-like conditions.

All the wheels come fitted with disc brakes which are loaded with ABS, EBD, DSC, and Emergency Brake Assist. The cabin comes fitted with a well-functioning standard airbag system. Apart from all these, there are several active safety and driver-assist programs that help in the mitigation of an upcoming emergency, such as:

• Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control
• Stop-and-Go
• Lane Watch and Centering
• Speed Sign Recognition
• Evasive Steering Assist
• Voice-Activated Navigation
• Reverse Sensing System
• Active Park Assist 2.0
• Pedestrian Alert Sounder
• Perimeter alarm

2021 Ford Escape Hybrid vs 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The Toyota RAV4 is cheaper by $1000 but outperforms the Escape in performance and exterior design. Despite being cheaper by a grand, the engine of the RAV4 churns out better performance and power than the Escape. The exterior of the RAV4 looks sharp and well-within time compared to the traditional looks of the latter. But the Escape replies with exemplary fuel efficiency and fuel range. A similar interior pack’s several features with enough head and legroom. The Escape is a light SUV compared to the latter, which offers responsive and easy steering. And better standard safety features.

2021 Ford Escape Hybrid vs 2021 Kia Niro Hybrid

The Kia Niro is a good alternative to the Escape when the question arises about the budget. Apart from that, the Niro comes powered by a 1.6L inline-4 engine that offers lesser performance. compared to the higher of Ford’s. The Niro is the smallest SUV in the comparison and it is easy to handle and drive in the city. Its small body offers the driver easy parking. The Ford Escape, on the other hand, feels balanced. It offers good performance, a spacious interior, a bigger fuel tank, and an SUV trunk.

2021 Ford Escape Hybrid vs 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid

There are a few sides because of which the CR-V Hybrid offers a competitive punch to the Escape. Honda packs a smaller but more powerful engine into the CR-V which churns out a bit better power than the Escape. The exterior styling is fantastic. The interior looks premium and is feature-packed. All these make the CR-V the costliest SUV in the comparison. The Escape replies with an efficient engine that offers more mileage and combined with the large tank, it offers a very good fuel range. The Escape has a bigger trunk and a smaller body. Moreover, Ford offers the Escape in both FWD and AWD, compared to the only AWD option by Honda.

The 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid is offered in 3 trims starting from $28,030 and can go up to $35,100 for the Titanium AWD. The SUV comes powered by an Atkinson Cycle 2.5L inline-4 engine that offers impressive mileage. The power and performance churned out by the engine are enough for daily life and commutes. It can seat 5 people with adequate passenger room offered. The SUV looks simple and pleasant from the outside and brings with it a blessed amount of safety and driver-assist programs. Based on all the specifications and features the SUV has to offer, it is a good option when it comes to efficient hybrid vehicles.