2024 Ford Escape

2024 Ford Escape Highlights

The 2024 Ford Escape continues to be a versatile and popular choice in the highly competitive compact crossover SUV segment. For this year, Ford streamlined the trim choices lightly by making the base variant available only to fleet customers. The Active now serves as the Escape’s entry point for retail buyers. The Escape competes with other compact SUVs like the Chevrolet Equinox, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Mazda CX-5.

2024 Ford Escape Specs/Key Details

• Compact crossover SUV body style
• Two-row, five-passenger seating
• Four powertrain options: 1.5L EcoBoost, 2.0L EcoBoost, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid
• Standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or available all-wheel drive (AWD) on most trims
• Sync 4 infotainment system with available 13.2-inch touchscreen

Benefits

• Range of efficient powertrain options, including hybrid and plug-in hybrid
• Spacious and versatile interior with ample cargo space
• Available all-wheel drive
• Comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance features
• Competitive fuel economy across the lineup

Learn More: 2024 Ford Explorer Release Date: Everything You Need To Know

2024 Ford Escape Overview

Performance

The 2024 Ford Escape offers four powertrain options:

1.5L EcoBoost three-cylinder:

• 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque
• Eight-speed automatic transmission

2.0L EcoBoost four-cylinder:

• 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque
• Eight-speed automatic transmission

2.5L four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle hybrid:

• Combined system output of 192 horsepower
• Electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (eCVT)

2.5L four-cylinder plug-in hybrid:

• Combined system output of 210 horsepower
• Electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (eCVT)

Front-wheel drive is standard on most trims, with all-wheel drive available as an option (standard on select higher trims).

Safety

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has awarded the 2024 Ford Escape a top five-star overall safety rating.

The Ford Co-Pilot360 technology suite is standard on all 2024 Escapes and includes:

• Pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking
• Blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert
• Lane-keeping assist
• Automatic high beams

The upgraded Co-Pilot360 Assist+ system is available and adds:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Evasive steering assist
• Speed sign recognition

Driving

The 2024 Ford Escape delivers a composed driving experience with a touch of sportiness. Those looking for a more behind-the-wheel engagement will be pleasantly surprised, but what’s under the hood matters the most. The base turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine is adequate at best. It’s fine for average suburban driving but can feel underwhelming on the highway. In contrast, the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder makes the Escape come alive. Driving becomes less enthusiastic with the hybrid and plug-in hybrid editions, but the trade-off is smooth and efficient power delivery.

Interior

The 2024 Ford Escape interior is well-designed and spacious for its class. Flexibility comes from a sliding second row that lets owners prioritize backseat legroom or rear cargo space on the fly.

2024 Ford Escape interior features include:

• Available eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat
• Dual-zone automatic climate control (on select trims)
• 60/40 split-folding rear seats
• Available panoramic sunroof
• Available heated steering wheel and front seats

The Escape provides a generous amount of cargo space, with 37.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 65.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

Technology

The 2024 Ford Escape comes well-equipped with modern technologies such as:

• Sync 4 infotainment system with 8-inch touchscreen (standard)
• Available 13.2-inch touchscreen display
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
• FordPass Connect with 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capability
• Available 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• Available 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system

Fuel Economy

The 2024 Ford Escape's fuel economy varies depending on the powertrain. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Escape achieves the following fuel economy estimates:

1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder

• FWD (mpg): 28 city / 34 highway / 30 combined
• AWD (mpg): 26 city / 31 highway / 28 combined

2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder

• AWD (mpg): 23 city / 31 highway / 26 combined

2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid

• FWD (mpg): 44 city / 37 highway / 41 combined
• AWD (mpg): 43 city/ 37 highway / 40 combined

2.5-liter four-cylinder plug-in hybrid (PHEV)

• FWD: 101 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) combined, 37 miles all-electric range

2024 Ford Escape Reviews

Consumer reviews on Kelley Blue Book for the 2024 Ford Escape are generally positive, with an average rating of 4.0 out of 5. Owners give the Escape high scores for reliability, comfort, and styling, but quality dips slightly below average.

Reasons to Buy It

• Numerous powertrain options, including hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants
• Available all-wheel drive
• Comfortable first and second rows
• Generous cargo space
• Standard and available technologies

Problems

• Some competitors offer more powerful base engines
• Interior materials quality in the lower trims doesn’t match that of rivals
• Plug-in hybrid edition lacks all-wheel drive and has a lower all-electric range than some rivals

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CoPilot's Take

There’s no lack of competition in the compact crossover space—buyers have an overwhelming number of choices, including the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V sales leaders. However, the 2024 Escape holds its own thanks to a wide trim range and numerous powertrain options. In particular, the Escape is only one of four compact crossovers from mainstream brands available with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option. The RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, and Mitsubishi Outlander are the others.

The Escape also scores points for its distinctive exterior, which borrows slightly from the Porsche Macan, and its surprisingly spacious second row. Ford also deserves credit for including standard safety tech (blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert) on all Escape trims. These features cost extra or aren’t available with some rivals.

Negatives are primarily present with the lower-end trims. The base three-cylinder engine is far from exciting, and the cheap-looking interior materials are a reminder that you didn’t buy a more expensive edition.

Nonetheless, the 2024 Ford Escape is a viable option, especially for those who don’t want to join the RAV4 and CR-V crowd.

2024 Ford Escape FAQs

Why is Ford discontinuing the Escape?

Although Ford hasn’t officially announced what’s happening with the Escape, industry reports state that the automaker will discontinue this nameplate in 2025. The mechanically similar Bronco Sport is gaining momentum, and Ford may want to simplify its lineup.

What are the updates for the 2024 Ford Escape?

The 2024 Ford Escape receives minor updates, mostly centered around the Active trim becoming the base model for retail buyers. In addition, the ST-Line becomes the least expensive trim available with the hybrid powertrain.

Will the 2024 Ford Escape be redesigned?

The 2024 Ford Escape did not undergo a refresh or redesign. It continues with the current generation's design, which was introduced for the 2020 model year.

Does the 2024 Ford Escape have leather seats?

Yes, the 2024 Ford Escape offers leather seats on higher trim levels. Specifically, the Platinum trim comes standard with leather-trimmed seats.

What are the configurations for the 2024 Ford Escape?

The trim range includes:

• 2024 Ford Escape Active
• 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line
• 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line Select
• 2024 Ford Escape Platinum
• 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite

The 2024 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid comes as a separate, highly equipped trim.

Check Out: Which Years Of Used Ford Escapes Are Most Reliable?