All new for 2020, the Escape looks to do battle in the crowded and lucrative midsize crossover field by offering (so called) style, tech and safety that..honestly doesn’t stand out much. Here’s the pricing and option breakdown.
There are 5 trim levels (S,SE, SE Sport Hybrid, SEL, Titanium) spread across 3 engines, 2 transmissions and front or awd.
The base model, S, starts at the aforementioned price of $24,885. It comes powered by a 1.5 Ecoboost I3 (!) mated to a 8 speed auto putting the power to the front wheels. It should be noted as well that horsepower & torque figures haven’t been released yet as well. Key standout standard features on the S are:
- Co-Piolot360: Ford’s suite of driving aids come standard. Cross-Traffic Alert, Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, Auto High-Beam Headlamps, Lane-Keeping System and Rear View Camera all standard surprisingly.
- 2nd row sliding seats with 60/40 split: supposedly come with best in class rear leg room as well.
- Ford Pass connect: smart phone vehicle control connectivity.
- Sync with 4.2" display
There are 8 exterior colors to choose from: black, silver, Sedona orange,dark green, blue (called Velocity Blue, its a hue of blue similar to Ford Performance Blue the Edge ST comes in), Magnetic (brown grey), white and gold. All seem to be no cost options as well. I choose black of course.
Surprisingly on the base trim awd is an option for $1500. I didn’t choose it but its nice to see it not reserved for upper trims or requiring some pricey option package. Other than that there are very few other options. Remote start is frustratingly not standard as on many cars, and is a $495 option. Splash guards are $210. 17" wheel covers are standard but 17" aluminium wheels are $595. I choose them as wheel covers on a 2020 model year vehicle are unacceptable. Cargo mat is $90. Cargo shade is $135. Front and rear floor liners are $10 bucks more. I choose none of these. And you can have any interior color you want. As long as its black. Seriously. There are no interior seat color choices on the S trim. Just black.
With the options selected, a base Escape S will set you back a not bad $26,675. But honestly outside of the tech options, small standard display, wheel covers and lack of interior color options, this trim should be skipped as its most suited for rental duty or people looking for low payments ( disturbingly, Ford’s payment estimator defaults to 84 months. With 10% down and 6.9% apr you’re looking at $362/month.).
The next trim up is the SE. Starting at $27,095, it builds on the S by having an 8" touchscreen display, 10 way heated power drivers seat (4 way manual passenger seat) and dual zone climate control. The SE also gets the same 1.5 3 as the base model
All exterior color choices are the same on the SE save for 2. You can choose Rapid Red for $395 or Star White for $595. I still choose Black. AWD is a $1500 option on this trim as well. The SE comes with Co-Pilot360 Assist. For $695, it builds on the standard Co-Pilot suite by adding adaptive cruise control with stop & go, voice activated nav system and Sirus XM Traffic and Travel Link. I added this, but honestly I would skip this as smartphones make this whole system not really needed. All the other small options are the same. You do get actual aluminium wheels on this trim but they are still just 17’s. You also get the option of another interior color choice on the SE, gray. Not too exciting. The biggest option difference is a $1,495 pano roof which I added. Sat radio is an option as well but it conflicts with the Co-Pilot360 pack since its bundled in the package.
All in, an Escape SE will set you pack a still reasonable $28,985.
The next trim, and the one that Ford thinks wills will set it apart from the competition is the SE Sport Hybrid. With this trim, Ford is trying to change the perception of Hybrid and electric vehicles by saying “ Hey look! They aren’t boring appliances!”. Starting at $28,255, it comes with a 2.5 hybrid 4 with a 88 kw electric motor. Power gets routed through a cvt to the front wheels. This trim also gets a reverse sensing system and a 12.5" full digital instrument cluster. Sporty touches included a body color spoiler and Black accents like body side molding and wheels.
Exterior color choices are the same as the SE, as well as awd being a $1500 option. The options on this trim are where it really differentiates itself from the S and SE. Firstly, there’s a package called SE Sport Premium Package Discount. It bundles Co-Pilot360, Pano roof, power liftgate, black wheels into one package and adds on $2,895 to the price. I added this as its an attractive option package given its features. It also upgrades the wheels from 17" to 19". This trim seems different seating options as well but in the same 2 colors of black or gray. You can choose between regular cloth or something called ActiveX. I couldn’t find any information on it but I assume its some kind of easy to clean material.
All in, an Escape SE Sport Hybrid is $32,345.
The next trim is the SEL. Starting at $29,255, it comes standard with the ActiveX seating material, hands free foot activated lift gate and reverse sensing system. The SEL gets powered by the 1.5 Ecoboost 4 with start/stop.
Exterior color choices are exactly the same as the Sport Hybrid so no change of selection there. One of the main differences on this trim is the availability of the 2.0 Ecoboost 4. For $2,285 it gets paired with an 8 speed auto and paddle shifters. Also choosing the tow package gives it a 3500 lb tow rating. I selected this engine increasing the price by $3,385 due to this engine requiring awd. Interior color choices are still just black or grey. With the same options selected as the pano roof, 19" wheels and Co-Pilot360 , an Escape SEL is a not cheap $36,420.
Lastly, the top of the Escape hill is the Titanium trim. Starting at $33,400, it comes standard with leather trimmed (finally!) heated power driver and passenger seats Co-Pilot360 Assist and a 10 speak Bang & Olufsen audio system.
This trim stands out from the rest of the lineup due to its engine choices. The Titanium trim comes standard with the 2.5 hyrbid I4. The 2.0 Ecoboost is a $2,885 option. I added this engine. Also keep in mind the 2.0 can only be had with awd. Exterior color choices are all the same. As are interior colors, just this time you can get grey or black in leather. All other options are the same as well save for one. The Titanium trim gets the option of $1,995 Titanium Package. Honestly its a bit of a rip as it only includes the pano roof and a HUD display. With the options selected as well as the ones shared with the other trims, an Escape Titanium $39,475.
The Escape seems to be lacking in a diverse array of options. Its good it comes standard with some popular features, but its severely lacking in its interior color and material choices, as well as wheel choices. It should sell well, but competitors will give it a run for its money.
