Our Opinion - 2025 Ford Escape Review With the mechanically comparable Bronco Sport handling light off-roading responsibilities, the 2025 Escape SUV can concentrate on the more mundane everyday driving tasks that most people in compact SUVs perform. In doing so, it nails the essentials by offering two powerful engines, a roomy cabin, and user-friendly entertainment systems. However, the distinctions with the best in this huge and quite popular class are in the details. The inside materials in the entry-level cars feel cheap, and the base three-cylinder engine is adequate but might be improved. The Escape might be appealing to many buyers, but we find it could offer a more engaging driving experience. Furthermore, for something intended to bring families closer together, its overly stringent suspension needs to be corrected. This market is fiercely competitive; the Mazda CX-5 and CX-50, as well as the Honda CR-V, offer more opulent interior designs and significantly more fun driving experiences. If you’re looking for a small SUV that runs on electricity rather than gasoline, Ford offers plug-in and hybrid variations of the Escape, which we’ll look at separately. What's New? The Escape will remain the same in 2025. Pros and Cons Pros Two choices for hybrids. Unexpectedly exhilarating driving experience. Big infotainment screen. Cons Certain interior materials have a cheap appearance. A coarse foundational engine. Flat seats do not provide sufficient support. Engine, Transmission, and Performance The non-hybrid Escape has two powertrain options, beginning with a 1.5-liter, three-cylinder turbocharged engine that makes 181 horsepower and is available with front- or all-wheel drive. Although it is a touch clumsy and unrefined, the conventional turbo-three gas engine accelerates the vehicle sufficiently. Upgrading to the 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged with 250 horsepower is an appealing choice that comes standard with all-wheel drive. The automatic drive has eight speeds and works with both gasoline engines. Safety Ford’s Co-Pilot360 array of driver-aid devices is standard equipment on all Escape models. Important security aspects consist of the following: Automatic emergency braking and a standard forward collision warning. Standard lane-keeping assist and lane-departure warning. Rear cross-traffic alert and standard blind spot monitoring. Internal and External Cargo Capacity The Escape’s cabin is spacious and attractively built, both in the front and back seats. However, several cheap plastic panels in lower-end trims give the cabin a poor feel. Even if the interior treatments of the Escape’s ST-Line and Platinum variants feel and look better than those of the Mazda CX-5, Mazda CX-50, Kia Sportage, and Honda CR-V, they fall short of those of the class’s best-dressed vehicles. While the Platinum model’s seating surfaces are realistically faux-leather, textured cloth upholstery comes standard. With room for up to eight carry-on bags, the Escape’s cargo area behind the rear seat rivals that of its cross-town rival, the Chevrolet Equinox. The Escape’s back seats folded down to carry 21 cases, while the Equinox could hold two more. Fuel Economy and Actual MPG According to the EPA, the 1.5-liter, three-cylinder turbocharged model with front-wheel drive has the best-predicted fuel economy of all non-hybrid Escape vehicles. In city mode, it gets 27 mpg, on the highway it gets 33 mpg, and overall it gets 30 mpg. With all-wheel drive, it gets 26 mpg in city mode, 31 mpg on the highway, and 28 mpg overall. While driving our 75-mph interstate fuel-efficient route, we tested an all-wheel-drive vehicle with a turbo three-cylinder and achieved 35 mpg. Despite being rated for 23 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg overall, our testing revealed a highway mileage of 32 mpg for the larger turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with all-wheel drive. Infotainment and Connectivity The Active and ST-Line models, which both have an 8.0-inch infotainment system, can choose from the larger 13.2-inch touchscreen display that comes standard on the Platinum model. Ford’s most recent Sync 4 infotainment system, which includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, is available on both screens. The technology supports over-the-air upgrades, and Ford claims that the Escape will update itself, eliminating the risk of running out of software. A 12.3-inch digital gauge display, pop-up head-up display, in-dash navigation, and a B&O Play audio system with ten speakers are available as options. Range, Charging, and Battery Life On our test track, a regular three-cylinder all-wheel-drive Escape reached 60 mph in 7.7 seconds, which is a good time for this class. A turbo-four Escape accomplished the identical 60-mph test in 5.8 seconds, making it one of the fastest compact SUVs. Price and How to Choose We would go for the ST-Line model because it is the most affordable way to get the more powerful 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged powerplant, which generates 250 horsepower. To do this, you must have the Select package, which includes all-wheel drive. The ST-Line sports body-colored lower cladding, a mesh grille, a rear spoiler, and 18- or 19-inch wheels. The interior has a sporty flat-bottomed steering wheel in all-black with red contrast stitching. Choosing the Premium Technology package expands the Escape ST-Line’s digital footprint by replacing the standard 8.0-inch infotainment and digital gauge displays with 13.2-inch and 12.3-inch displays, respectively.
