If you’re after a safe SUV that won’t break the bank, don’t ignore the 2021 Ford Escape. With a starting price of just under $25,000, this year’s new Ford Escape is the kind of SUV that doesn’t make any compromises when it comes to safety. It’s not only standard with a long list of safety features, but it’s also earned some pretty impressive safety ratings. Don’t just take our word for it, though.

2021 Ford Escape standard safety features

The 2021 Ford Escape comes standard with plenty of safety features. It comes standardly equipped with all of the usual safety suspects, a full range of airbags included. But it also comes standard with Ford Co-Pilot360 Technology, a comprehensive suite of safety features that aims to inspire confidence with a long list of standard driver-assist technologies.

Included in Ford Co-Pilot360 are safety features such as a blind spot information system with cross-traffic alerts, pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, auto high-beam headlamps, a lane-keeping system, and a rearview camera. It’s also available with Active Park Assist 2.0, adaptive cruise control, and evasive steering assist.

The 2021 Ford Escape is an IIHS Top Safety Pick

But, you may be asking, how did the 2021 Ford Escape fare in crashworthiness tests? Fortunately, it fared pretty well, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It earned a ‘Good’ rating in each of the IIHS’ crashworthiness tests, including its small overlap front: driver-side, small overlap front: passenger-side, and moderate overlap front crashworthiness tests. The Ford Escape’s crash avoidance and mitigation systems earned similarly high ratings from the IIHS. 

Unfortunately, the IIHS did take issue with the 2021 Ford Escape’s headlights. Its LED reflector headlights, which are available on the Titanium trim, were cited for creating some glare and, overall, scored an ‘Average’ rating with the IIHS. Its halogen headlights, on the other hand, earned a ‘Marginal’ rating. According to the IIHS, its low beam halogen headlights provided inadequate visibility in road tests. But even still, the IIHS tapped this year’s model as a Top Safety Pick. 

How it fared in NHTSA crashworthiness tests

As for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)? Much like the IIHS, it gave the 2021 Ford Escape some pretty high safety ratings. This year’s new model earned a five-star rating in both front driver side and front passenger side crashworthiness tests. It also earned a five-star rating in the NHTSA’s side barrier and pole tests. It did, however, earn a four-star rollover rating. Overall, though, the new Escape earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

Is the 2021 Ford Escape a safe SUV?

All in all, the Ford Escape makes for a pretty safe SUV. It comes pretty well stocked with all of the standard safety features you need to feel secure behind the wheel. It’s also proven itself when it comes to crash test results, so you know those safety features aren’t all talk. They can actually keep you safe. So, if you’re after a safe SUV? You really can’t go wrong with the new Ford Escape.