2018 Ford Escape Pros and Cons: What To Know When Weighing Your Decision
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The Ford Escape was a vehicle that redefined crossovers, and anyone shopping around for a used Escape has probably come across used 2018s and may be wondering if it was a good year or one known for having a lot of issues. Today we’re going to dig specifically into the 2018 Ford Escape pros and cons, giving it an honest look at what the most common praises are, as well as some of the most commonly cited negatives of owning or maintaining one.
Having all the information possible before making a big decision like a vehicle purchase, even for a used vehicle, can make the difference between a solid purchase and a regrettable decision. If you’re thinking about buying a Ford Escape, this collection of the 2018 Ford Escape pros and cons is going to be a critical asset in your search. There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get to it.
What We Love: 2018 Ford Escape Pros
We’ll start our list of 2018 Ford Escape pros and cons with the pros. Here are the leading reasons why the 2018 Ford Escape is a great vehicle.
Interior Quality
The interior of the 2018 Escape is appointed in high-quality, durable materials, and trim packages include both cloth and leather options, so you’re likely to see both in your search. While the interior has a luxurious appearance and feel, and the attention to detail is apparent, there are one or two aspects of the interior that tend to get some complaints, but we’ll get to that later.
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Cargo Space
Crossovers like the 2018 Ford Escape can often be deceiving in the amount of cargo space they have available when needed. For potential owners who know they’ll need ample space, this can be one of the critical, make-or-break features. The 2018 Escape can provide up to a surprisingly spacious 68 cu. ft. once the back row of seats is folded down. With the seats up, the space is halved to 34 cubic feet, which is still much more than most folks need daily.
Safety & Reliability Ratings
Since crossovers like the 2018 Ford Escape are essentially smaller SUVs, safety and reliability are often two of the highest priorities for any potential buyers. The 2018 Escape has a comprehensive lineup of safety features, including brake assist and Ford’s Personal Safety System, which provides next-generation airbag technology. In NHTSA testing, the 2018 Escape earned a 5-star rating and has had just three recalls. RepairPal also gives it a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, with an estimated average annual maintenance cost of $600.
High-Tech Features
Ford is known for making sure their vehicles come with a lot of high-tech bells and whistles, and the 2018 Escape is no exception. Some of the most advanced and intuitive features include an infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, so there is seamless smartphone integration. Some trim and option packages also boast features like automatic cabin climate management, upgraded voice-command features, push-button start, and more.
Performance and Handling
The 2018 Escape has great handling and offers a dynamic, sporty driving experience. While there were originally three engine options offered, the most common was the 2L EcoBoost, which gives buyers a notable blend of performance and fuel economy. Additionally, some models were equipped with an optional all-wheel drive, which made it even more reliable and agile in challenging weather. This makes the 2018 Ford Escape great for stop-and-go urban driving, or longer commutes and adventures.
What We Don’t Like: 2018 Ford Escape Cons
We would be doing you a disservice if we only talked about the good and not the bad. With that in mind, here are a few things that are commonly reported to be downsides to owning the 2018 Ford Escape.
Dashboard Layout
The dashboard is perfectly functional, and it offers a lot of information, but the problem is that may be offering too much. A common complaint about the 2018 Escape is that the dash feels cluttered or cramped. The layout is user-friendly and accessible enough, but there’s not a lot of cohesion to the design, and the clutter can actually be somewhat of a distraction. Competitors like the 2018 Kia Sportage are a good example of how Ford dropped the ball on the Escapes dash layout.
ARE FORD ESCAPES GOOD CARS?
Are Ford Escapes good cars? We will highlight various vital aspects of the Ford Escape to help you make an informed decision, including engine, performance, interior and tech features, safety, and long-term reliability.
Hard Seats
There have been a lot of complaints about the firmness of the seats, particularly in the base model. If you find one with a basic trim package and you get the opportunity to sit in it, you’ll know immediately what people mean. The firmness can actually become uncomfortable for some larger owners on longer drives. More expensive trim options upgrade the seats, but even the base models should be comfortable.
Passenger Seating
While technically the 2018 Ford Escape is designed to fit five people comfortably, there are some caveats to that. First of all, fitting three adults in the back seats is only comfortable if they’re all relatively skinny and not overly tall. The lack of legroom in the back can make anything longer than a quick errand uncomfortable for taller passengers. Larger families will also likely need to find another option, like the 2018 VW Tiguan.
Aging Body Styling
Normally how a vehicle looks isn’t something you can really penalize it for, but when it comes down to innovation laziness, exceptions can be made. By 2018, Ford had used the same body style for several years, and while there were little updates here and there, the general design of the model was starting to be eclipsed by more modern market offerings. It has the more ‘blocky’ appearance that many buyers don’t like, but that many others seek out on purpose.
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Should You Buy a 2018 Ford Escape?
We hope you’ve gained some insight into your potential vehicle options from our list of 2018 Ford Escape pros and cons. The 2018 Escape is a great option for anyone looking for a reliable, safe, and well-performing crossover SUV. It stands up well against others in its category and beats many of them.
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