How soon are you looking to buy a Ford Escape?

Within a week

Within a month

Within 90 days

*This will help us personalize your experience.

Great News: We found some top-ranked Ford Escapes near you

Ford Escape Pros and Cons: What To Know When Weighing Your Decision


in Reliability
Rear view of a black Ford Escape

Source: Pixabay

The Ford Escape is a competitive compact crossover SUV, offering its most reliable ride in the hybrid powertrain option. It brings sufficient power, though it isn’t without its errors. If you’re interested in the vehicle, it’s critical to have a well-rounded idea of what you will get. What are the Ford Escape pros and cons?

No car is perfect, but no vehicle is without its benefits. If you want to learn more about the best and worst aspects of the iconic Ford Escape, you’re in the right place. The more you know about the legacy of this vehicle, the easier it will be to determine if it’s practical for your life. Let’s dive into each side of the Ford Escape. 

What We Love: Ford Escape Pros

Comfortable seating and a gorgeous design are some top contenders in the Ford Escape pros and cons. Let’s talk about some other beneficial features. 

Comfortable, Spacious Seating

One thing you can expect in the Ford Escape is comfortable seating. Not only is there enough room for the driver to be comfortable, but there is also plenty of room for passengers - which can be a rarity in many vehicles. 

The front seats of the Escape are cushioned well and formed to fit the driver with care. The rear seats also provide ample cushioning and support for a typical adult thigh. You can go on long road trips without feeling like your rear is falling asleep in the Ford Escape interior design.

There is also plenty of room for everyone inside, thanks to the deeply sculpted seats. Tall riders might struggle with headroom, but otherwise, everyone gets room to move around and should have no issue hopping in or out of the modern design.


NOT JUST FOR CAR SHOPPING

The CoPilot app isn’t just for buying a car - our new CoPilot for Owning tool will help you keep track of recalls and gives you advice on which scheduled maintenance tasks are most important.


Available Hybrid Powertrain

One of the biggest highlights of the Ford Escape is the available powertrain. This edition provides two options - plug-in and traditional hybrid, each with benefits. 

These hybrid powertrains come with a 2.5-cylinder four-liter engine and two electric motors for a maximum of 210 horsepower. You can also expect to hit 60 mph in 7.7 seconds, which is in the middle of the pack for a car the size of the Escape.

The hybrid selections also use a continuously variable transmission, while the gas-powered selections use an eight-speed automatic transmission. Overall, the hybrids offer better power and higher mileage, making them a more practical choice for those who want longevity and value from their investment. 

Good-Looking Design

Not only does the Ford Escape have some fun driving options, but it also looks good. There’s no denying the appearance of the Ford Escape - the precise lines and curves are made to make it a head-turner when cruising to a dinner date in the city.

Not only is the exterior pleasant to look at but the interior is also laid out in a manner that is very appealing to the eyes. A few plastic components scattered throughout the car make it look tacky. However, a good chunk comes from high-quality materials that make the Escape seem like a luxury. The Escape has some effort put into it.

Physical Button Additions

Finally, we love the choice to add physical buttons to the Ford Escape to provide easier use and access for drivers. These control functions are simple to find and don’t come in frustrating turn-knob styles or touchscreen functions like many competitors. The physical buttons are a small touch but make a difference on the market.

In the modern car world, it’s becoming more and more apparent that developers are opting for touchscreen functions instead of physical buttons. While this choice might look cool, it can prove inconvenient for the driver - and the Ford Escape manages to successfully stay away from that with its choice to add physical buttons.


HOW LONG DO FORD ESCAPES LAST?

If you’re interested in purchasing a Ford Escape, you might be curious about the lifespan. You might wonder - how long do Ford Escapes last in a typical lifespan?


What We Dislike: Ford Escape Cons

Unfortunately, a firm ride experience and excessive use of plastic drag the Ford Escape down. Let’s peek at the negatives of the Ford Escape pros and cons to see what you might want to avoid.

Excessive Plastic in Lower Trims

While the Ford Escape interior looks nice, there are far too many plastic components that lower the quality exponentially. These are mostly available in the lower trims. The more money you spend on upgrading your vehicle, the less plastic you will find in the system. It can seem like a bit of a rip-off for those who want a nice car.

The plastic will also clash in the lower models even when nicer materials are used, as placing a nice material next to plastic can cheapen them both. It’s an unfortunate way to save money on the design and can impact the overall appearance of the Ford Escape.


AI-ASSISTED CAR SHOPPING

Never miss out on the best car, never overpay, and never get taken advantage of. Download the CoPilot app to see the magic of AI-assisted car shopping.


Firm Ride Experience

Finally, drivers and passengers will find a shockingly firm ride experience with the Ford Escape. It can struggle with being dynamic, which will make turning and other sharp movements a little harder for the Escape than for competitors. The seats help with the comfort, but the car’s movement can hinder the overall experience for riders. 

The Ford Escape is a solid choice, but it falls behind its competitors on the market. It’s lackluster compared to competitors with the ability to go off-roading, as the drivability of the Ford Escape can sometimes fall flat on its face. 

Final Thoughts

There are many serious Ford Escape pros and cons to consider before buying it for yourself. The Escape offers comfortable and spacious seating, an available hybrid powertrain, a good-looking design, and the addition of physical buttons. However, there’s excessive plastic in lower trims and an overall firm and uncomfortable ride experience. 

We hope this information was helpful! There are pros and cons to an investment in any car. While some issues are severe, some can be overlooked depending on the contrasting benefits. Many drivers will avoid the Escape for its issues, but many others will purchase it for its blessings on the road. The choice is yours.



Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You

The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.

Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.

The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.

trade-in