The Ford Escape may not be one of Ford’s most well-known vehicles, but it has had more than its fair share of recalls. This may have prompted Ford to go back to the drawing board and completely redesign it in an effort to draw in new consumers who were scared off. 

As part of its fourth-generation redesign, Ford is offering new standard features that might redeem it.

Drive

If you’re interested in getting a Ford Escape, one of the most important questions is ‘how does it drive?’ That depends on which mode you choose to use.

According to Edmunds, there are five drive modes, meaning you can change up how your Escape handles depending on your terrain. There are Normal, Eco, Sand, Slippery, Snow, and Sport modes. 

So how does each mode affect how the Focus drives? Edmunds reports, “The different modes change the throttle response, transmission shift points, cylinder deactivation timing and, in the case of Sport, steering feel. Cycling through the modes changes the graphic display on the optional all-digital instrument cluster and provides noticeable differences in driving feel.”

If you are driving in conditions that are icy, you would choose the Slippery mode rather than Snow. You should also use the Sport mode for mountain roads with lots of twists and turns.

Technology

According to Ford, the Focus comes standard with the 360 Co-Pilot Technology suite. This is a safety feature designed to help drivers stay safe while driving the city streets, parking, or cruising down the highway.

Some of the features available on the 360 Co-Pilot Suite include: a cross-traffic alert, a rearview camera, auto high-beam headlamps, an automatic emergency braking system, pre-collision assist, and a lane-keeping system.

Also offered on the Ford Escape is the Ford Pass Connect. According to Ford, you can “access complementary remote features like start/stop, lock/unlock, schedule a start, locate vehicle and vehicle status check on your FordPass Connect-equipped vehicle.” 

The standard infotainment system is easy to use, according to U.S. News, but isn’t exactly that big. In the S model, the display screen is a mere 4.2-inches. That’s not very big, considering that the largest screens on the market are 12.3-inches now. Still, you can always upgrade to the SE model, which offers an 8-inch display screen.

All Escape models have a six-speaker system and a USB port. Considering that many consumers now rely heavily on USB ports for their multiple electronics, only adding one may not go over well with some owners. 

Seating

This is one area where the Escape stands out from the competition. U.S. News reports that adults can ride in the back without having to assume the fetal position. For families who have teenagers that have hit a growth spurt, this could save on a lot of arguments since anyone can sit in the back and still be comfortable.

The Escape can sit up to five people, so if you’ve got a growing family, you may need to look for a larger SUV. For families who need multiple car seats, there are two full sets of LATCH car-seat connectors.

Each model has standard cloth seating, but there is always the option to upgrade to leather. 

Engine and gas mileage

Like many vehicles nowadays, the Escape comes with multiple engine options, but the standard engine offered is a 180-horsepower three-cylinder EcoBoost turbocharged engine. You can upgrade to the four-cylinder EcoBoost engine if you want more power.

U.S. News reports that the standard engine offers plenty of power, and has decent acceleration.

The Escape also has better gas mileage than any of its competitors. With the standard EcoBoost engine, you can get 27 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. This makes it a great choice for anyone who is concerned about saving money at the pump.