2020 Ford Escape Pros and Cons: What To Know When Weighing Your Decision
2020 Ford Escape by SsmIntrigue - CC-BY-SA-4.0
Ford has shifted its focus from making sedans to producing more SUVs like the Ford Escape. This change is because SUVs and electric vehicles are becoming more popular. The Ford Escape is getting more attention and improvements due to this new focus on SUVs.
In the highly competitive SUV market, the Ford Escape shines as a “people pleaser” SUV with its healthy combination of comfort, versatility, and technology. It appeals to a wide range of drivers by offering user-friendly tech features, a comfortable and adaptable interior, and efficient performance. This SUV balances everyday practicality with an enjoyable driving experience, making it a popular choice for families and individuals alike.
For today’s post, we examine the 2020 Ford Escape pros and cons. What are the strengths and weaknesses of this crossover? Is this vehicle right for you? Let’s find out.
What We Love: 2020 Ford Escape Pros
Below are the things we enjoy about the 2020 Escape:
Fully Redesigned
There’s plenty to be excited about the 2020 Escape, including its exterior design refresh. The 2020 Ford Escape has undergone a significant transformation in its styling. Ford has shifted from the traditional, truck-based SUV appearance to a more streamlined, car-like design featuring a pointed front and a sloping roofline.
This differentiates it from competitors like the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4, which still maintain their boxier appearance. The new design aims to target sedan owners and aligns the Escape more with cars like the Mazda CX-5 and Kia Sportage. This change isn’t just cosmetic, as Ford managed to reduce the weight of the Escape by an average of 200 lbs compared to its predecessor.
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Good Range of Engine Options
The 2020 Ford Escape boasts an impressive range of powertrain options, catering to a variety of driving preferences and needs:
- 1.5-Liter EcoBoost Engine: This three-cylinder turbocharged engine delivers an impressive combination of fuel efficiency and power, making it an ideal choice if you’re looking for a daily driver.
- 2.0-Liter EcoBoost Engine: The 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine is an excellent choice for buyers seeking more power. It produces 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque.
- Hybrid Powertrain: Returning after a hiatus, The 2020 Escape lineup offers a hybrid option that provides an eco-friendly choice. It combines a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle engine with an electric motor.
Each of these powertrain options is designed to offer a great mix of performance and efficiency, ensuring that there’s an Escape model to suit various driving styles and requirements.
Excellent Safety Ratings and Features
Safety-wise, the 2020 Escape continues to impress by earning top ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA. It was awarded the IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK, achieving “Good” in all six crash testing categories, including driver-side small overlap front, side, and roof strength. This represents a significant improvement over its predecessors. Meanwhile, the NHTSA gave Escape a 5-star overall safety rating, with five stars for the front passenger side, front driver side, and combined side barrier and pole ratings for both front and rear seats.
Additionally, the Ford Co-Pilot360 safety technology standard across all models includes features like Automatic Emergency Braking and Blind Spot Information System.
Sedan-Like Driving Dynamics
The 2020 Escape boasts responsive handling, a comfortable ride, and a variety of engines to fit different driving styles. The 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine is suitable for daily commuting. In contrast, the optional 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine provides a more dynamic performance, making the Escape faster and more exciting to drive.
The 2020 Ford Escape is known for its smooth and easy drive, feeling more like a car than a bulky SUV. This makes the ride comfortable and steady. Its steering is also sharp and responsive, adding to an enjoyable driving experience. Plus, the Escape is easy to maneuver, which is excellent for both city streets and long drives on the highway.
Lots of Infotainment Goodies
The infotainment system of the Escape is centered around a user-friendly interface called Sync 3, featuring an 8.0-inch touchscreen. This feature is standard across most trims and includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless smartphone integration. The system also has a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot that can support up to 10 devices, ensuring connectivity while on the go. For an even better audio experience, an optional 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system is available.
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What We Don’t Love: 2020 Ford Escape Cons
Can’t have a guide about the 2020 Ford Escape pros and cons without its drawbacks:
Cargo Capacity is Limited
If you’re looking to stuff a lot of things into your vehicle, the 2020 Escape might not be your best choice. The 2020 Ford Escape offers cargo space that ranges between 34.4 to 37.5 cu-ft with the rear seats up, and when the rear seats are folded down, this increases to between 60.8 and 65.4 cu-ft.
In comparison, the Honda CR-V provides around 39.2 cu-ft with rear seats up and about 75.8 cu-ft with folded seats. The Toyota RAV4 offers approximately 37.6 cu-ft behind the rear seats and 69.8 cu-ft with the seats folded down. Both the CR-V and RAV4 surpass the Escape in terms of maximum cargo capacity.
So-So Ride Quality
This crossover SUV was also criticized for its not-so-smooth ride quality. Although the vehicle steers with light effort and has a quick ratio, some might find the feedback too numb. Additionally, the efficiency-focused tires on most test cars allowed a fair amount of slippage through sweeping curves. The brakes also exhibit some initial softness before biting down abruptly.
Loaded with passengers, the Escape’s ride at highway speeds can be a bit busy, and road noise becomes noticeable at higher speeds. Despite the 2020 Escape’s good shock absorption and body control, these features don’t entirely make up for its overall ride quality issues.
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2020 Ford Escape Pros and Cons: Is This Crossover SUV for You?
That concludes our guide for the 2020 Ford Escape pros and cons. As you can see, the Escape certainly deserves its “people pleaser” moniker, thanks to its many positive qualities. However, if cargo utility and ride quality are important to you, you’ll want to think twice before buying.
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