Small SUV Has Big Power: 2020 Ford Escape First Drive Review

The Ford Escape is a compact crossover vehicle sold by Ford since 2000 over three generations. The Escape and Tribute were updated in February 2004 for the 2005 model year with a new base engine (the 2.3 L 2261 cc, 140 cu in Duratec 23 ), which replaced the Zetec 2.0 L (1983 cc, 121 cu in) 127 hp (95 kW) 4-cylinder. The most powerful engine remained the 200 hp (150 kW) Duratec 3.0 L (2976 cc, 181 cu in) V6, with new engine mounts. Ford also added advanced airbag and seatbelt safety systems, an intelligent AWD system, and exterior changes, which included a redesigned front bumper. The 2005 model year was the first with an automatic transmission available on the base four-cylinder models. The automatic shifter was moved from the column to the console on all models equipped with automatic transmissions. Ford also deleted the recline feature on the rear seats to improve the safety of occupants in the rear seats in the case of a rear crash.

New for 2020 is a sliding adjustment, rare among compact SUVs. It grants some 6 inches of additional cargo depth, though you’d need small backseat passengers to exploit the full range. By my measurements, when the seat’s in its rearmost position, the cargo floor’s dimensions are comparable to the outgoing Escape. It’s competitive in this class, but shoppers with serious cargo needs should consider the Volkswagen Tiguan or Honda CR-V, which have substantially more space.

The 2020 Escape hybrids use a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine coupled with an electric motor fed from a liquid-cooled, lithium-ion battery pack – 1.1 kWh for the standard hybrid and 14.4 kWh for the plug-in-hybrid. Both are rated at 198 horsepower. The standard engine for the conventionally powered Escape is a 15-liter, 3-cylinder turbocharged powerplant.

The 2020 Ford Escape interior boasts comfort options you’re bound to love and infotainment features to keep you informed and excited on the road ahead. Enjoy crystal clear audio from an available B& Sound System by Bang & Olufsen, and monitor important vehicle information from the gorgeous 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. When you’re driving around Naperville and across Illinois, you deserve a new SUV that’s designed to keep you secure during every commute.

The 2020 Ford Escape brings two gas engine options to the table. The base engine on the new Escape is a 1.5L Turbocharged inline 3-cylinder that is also found in Europe’s new Ford Focus hatchback. The base engine puts out 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque while also towing up to 2000 pounds. This engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission with front-wheel or optional all-wheel drive.

The 2020 Ford Escape Release Date is the fall of 2019. So, you can expect to see the new 2020 Ford Escape on the lot here at Muzi Ford and other MA Ford Dealerships this fall, with the Plug-In hybrid model will be arriving in spring 2020. We will continue to make updates to this page as more details about the 2020 Ford Escape release date become available.