2020 Ford Escape

Whether you want a gasoline engine, a hybrid, or a plug-in hybrid model, you'll have plenty of options to choose from. The Escape offers four trims — S, SE, SEL, and Titanium. A hybrid version is available in the SE Sport and Titanium trims, and the SEL and Titanium are also available as a plug-in hybrid. The sleek lines and aggressive front grille give the Escape an eye-catching, contemporary look.

Standard across all gasoline trims is a 1.5-liter, three-cylinder EcoBoost engine that produces 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. This is enough power to buzz around town, when accelerating onto the freeway, or driving up mountain roads. When you want a bit more gusto from your engine, you can get an optional 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine with an output of 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque available on the SEL and Titanium. Paired with these two engines is an eight-speed automatic transmission. If you decide you want the hybrid version of the Escape, you get a 2.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson engine with a liquid-cooled 1.1 kW-hour battery pack. Mated to the hybrid engine is a continuously variable transmission.

Front-wheel drive comes standard across the Escape lineup. The optional all-wheel drive is a good choice if you plan on driving your SUV on slippery or uneven terrain. When driving in changing weather conditions, using the terrain management system is a breeze. Simply turn the knob and the system adjusts the speed and steering as needed. You can even tow a small boat or trailer with your Escape. When properly equipped, this compact SUV can tow up to 3,500 pounds.

The inside of the Escape is roomy and well-appointed. Two rows of seats fit five people comfortably with plenty of legroom and headroom. The upper trims feature power-adjustable, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, and a dual-zone climate control system. The Sync 3 infotainment system features an 8-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Listen to your audio through the six-speaker or the optional 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system found standard on the Titanium. Let more light into the interior of the Escape with the available power sunroof, and enjoy the freedom of the hands-free lift gate found on the SEL and Titanium. Depending on the seat configuration, you'll get up to 65.4 cubic feet of storage space.

When your teenager or college student is driving the Escape, it's nice to know that it comes equipped with several safety features. All trims come standard with Ford's Co-Pilot360 driver-assist features and include blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a forward-collision mitigation system with automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Standard on the Titanium and optional on the other trims are adaptive cruise control, an automated parking system, and lane-keep assist.