2020 Ford Escape starts at $24,885

"LJ909" (lj909)
08/21/2019 at 10:10 • Filed to: Ford, Ford Escape, New Cars, Crossovers

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.

DISCUSSION (52)

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > LJ909
08/21/2019 at 10:30

Looks like it’s getting a surprise finger up the tailpipe

Cash Rewards > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
08/21/2019 at 10:34

Surprised, but not upset

fintail > LJ909
08/21/2019 at 10:34

40 grand huh. I guess inflation is more than stated, shocking.

After being hit by one of these in Milwaukee last year, and observing how many of them drive, they are vehicles I avoid on the road along with most modern Nissans, CRAV4s etc.

Future next gen S2000 owner > LJ909
08/21/2019 at 10:35

It kinda has a Macan-esque shape to it. It’ll sell a bunch.

facw > LJ909
08/21/2019 at 10:36

Seems ok to me.

Also this might be a bit dickish, but:

“ means inches

‘ means feet

So unless this thing has been seriously scaled up, I think you’ve got a lot of incorrect figures.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Cash Rewards
08/21/2019 at 10:37

It didn’t say, “stop.”

412GTI > LJ909
08/21/2019 at 10:44

I think I have to see one in person, but I’m conflicted on the new design. I really liked the previous gen when it came out, however I’m not feeling much with this new look.

Also, I believe the base engine is now a 3 cylinder not a 4..which is an interesting move.

LJ909 > fintail
08/21/2019 at 10:51

No way in hell i’d ever pay 40k for an Escape.

Most of the vehicles in this class are driven by seniors so that may have something to do with it. CR-V’s for instance are like the king of senior crossovers. So much so that I’m not surprised if there’s a special Honda AARP discount on them.

LJ909 > facw
08/21/2019 at 10:53

I know. Its my stupid auto correct and editing. I’ m going back through it as we speak fixing them.

fintail > LJ909
08/21/2019 at 10:56

Yeah, CRV is a grandparents car now, even more than the RAV4, which is still for the active late boomer I guess. Also popular with those who don’t like cars and don’t like driving, but think it is “safe” and “peppy” and like the ride hei ght.

ranwhenparked > LJ909
08/21/2019 at 10:56

Will it still feel like you're driving across a washboard when on a glass smooth road, and like it's going to tip over if you take curves within 10mph of the speed limit?

ShrimpHappens, née WJalopy > LJ909
08/21/2019 at 10:58

Midsize? I thought Escapes were considered compact?

And that top-level interior makes our ‘19 Forester Limited look like a joke, but we sure as heck didn’t pay $40k, though.

M.T. Blake > LJ909
08/21/2019 at 10:59

It ends at 39k and in 5 years it will be worth 3k more than the base model.

LJ909 > 412GTI
08/21/2019 at 11:09

This one is way more car like which isnt necessarily a good thing design wise. The previous gen at least tried to look the crossover part. This thing resembles a raised Focus.

And you are correct. Should have mentioned that its a base I3. Not sure how thats going to go over with almost 3500 lbs to move.

Tapas > LJ909
08/21/2019 at 11:09

Neat!

Cross over apocalypse is upon us. At least this is not repulsive.

Someone should stab one of these with an epipen to see if it become s t he Fiesta.

Tapas > LJ909
08/21/2019 at 11:10

Oh....that makes sense. I thought AARP was for Navy Seals only and the “aarp!” was a humorous name for their organization.

LJ909 > fintail
08/21/2019 at 11:12

Yea people that buy into nonsensical terms and get sold over on them. The Rav4, especially with the new gen, seems more of a middle class go to for moms which has probably helped bring down its average buyer age. The CR-V meanwhile, I’ ve seem some of the oldest people I’ve seen driving in those things.

LJ909 > ranwhenparked
08/21/2019 at 11:13

Was that how the previous gen Escape felt?

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > LJ909
08/21/2019 at 11:15

Good summary. My wife and I checked it out at the NY Auto show earlier this year and it’s much improved vs the previous version. We will be looking into the RAV4 Hybrid (Which I think is better long term ) and the SE Escape Hybrid as next options for her.

ranwhenparked > LJ909
08/21/2019 at 11:15

Yep, after 100,000 miles in two of them over 2.5 years, that’s exactly it. Also, no lower back support and lots of road noise.

LJ909 > ShrimpHappens, née WJalopy
08/21/2019 at 11:15

Nah that’s Ecosport territory now. Escape competes with Rav4, CR-V, CX-5, Equinox etc.

But yea 40k is way too much. I doubt we will actually see any that high. Incentives should come quick.

LJ909 > M.T. Blake
08/21/2019 at 11:16

And even then it depends on how much you drive. I give it 2 years at that to be worth under 20 grand with 30k miles.

412GTI > LJ909
08/21/2019 at 11:17

Agree. If anything that Jeep, Subaru and now Toyota has shown us, it’s that faux off-road sells. Now I get that Mini-Bronco will fill that spot, but I’m curious if it will be more Renegade or Escape sized.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > LJ909
08/21/2019 at 11:18

Its funny, the previous generation Escape’s interior was horribly dated and generic, but its exterior styling was sharp and distinctive. This flips that equation, the interior updates were much needed, and it looks modern and classy inside now, but the exterior looks like some one left a 2012 Cayenne in the dryer too long.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > ranwhenparked
08/21/2019 at 11:19

Having had one as a rental for a week, I can also confirm. We talk about BMWs and other cars being soulless, not even close.

Arrivederci > LJ909
08/21/2019 at 11:19

It looks so derpy.

Arrivederci > LJ909
08/21/2019 at 11:21

My septuagenarian neighbors just bought a new CRV last year. Their other car? Toyota Sienna.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > LJ909
08/21/2019 at 11:21

My tl;dr is that you have to pay almost $38k to get the 2.0L Ecoboost. You have to pay $38k to get 250hp.

Ford has made the Jeep Cherokee more appealing to me if I ever wanted an SUV that size. Then again, they did turn the Escape into a Millenn ial iMobile, so it never was for me in the first place.

LJ909 > Tapas
08/21/2019 at 11:22

It needs to end. I dont know how its going to though. Maybe if automakers started being honest about them? Crossovers are the ultimate con game. Think about it. Only in the auto industry could you take a small vehicle, tack on some crap for an appearance of height, have sales people sell that as a safety /driving enhancement, while having the vehicle perform the same or worse as the vehicle its based on in every measurable category . And then have the interior be maybe only slightly bigger but in most case smaller than that very vehicle its based on? And make a profit by selling a shit ton. Its insane that they’ve pretty much stopped trying.

LJ909 > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
08/21/2019 at 11:32

Thanks. But yea resale as well as reliability wise, the Rav4 should be the better choice.

LJ909 > 412GTI
08/21/2019 at 11:34

Im curious as to where this mini Bronco will fit in the lineup as well. It wont make sense if its smaller than the Ecosport. So I’m assuming it will sit between the Ecosport but below the Escape as thats the only place something like that makes sense.

LJ909 > ranwhenparked
08/21/2019 at 11:37

So crap pretty much. And thats what buyers want I guess. It also seems that for the most part, Ford only gets the Mustang and F-150 variants right.

jimz > LJ909
08/21/2019 at 11:39

maybe, just maybe, admit that the mass-market vehicle buyer actually prefers the CUV form factor, and aren’t really a bunch of idiots too stupid to understand what they really want?

the things that enthusiasts care about mean nothing to the average person.

LJ909 > Arrivederci
08/21/2019 at 11:40

They like comfy generic and boring. I hope I’m not like that when I get older.

LJ909 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
08/21/2019 at 11:41

Pretty sick if you think about it. I think its weird as well the base engine is an I3. Especially in something this size.

The Cherokee is appealing , especially with that powerful V6. Its just the quality problems suck.

Tapas > jimz
08/21/2019 at 11:45

They do prefer it.

It’s just not cool.

Kinda like how wagons and minivans were popular but uncool years ago........

FUCK! When I grow older, the future generations will romanticize CUVs! :(

Arrivederci > LJ909
08/21/2019 at 11:46

Same.

*Looks into driveway, sees Lexus GS*

Dammit.

LJ909 > jimz
08/21/2019 at 11:47

I cant admit that because that’ s not the case. People (for the most part not all but a good majority) really are too stupid to understand what they really want. Its why sales people, markups and all the other bullshit exists.

I used to sell cars. And its all a psychological game to play into that stupidity. Its also why crossovers exist and are dominating . They’ve become less an evolution of the station wagon and more of generic a-b mobiles that if people actually researched and looked into properly wouldn’t buy as many of them are worse vehicles than the ones they are based on like I said.

Of course the things we care about here don’ t matter to the average buyer. That goes without saying . And t here are people that just want something to get them around, and for them there are many soul-less choices. Im just saying that for the most part this whole crossover craze is playing into how dumb people are and its been working.

LJ909 > Arrivederci
08/21/2019 at 11:49

Hey. Its ok. Its rwd. Its not an ES.

fintail > LJ909
08/21/2019 at 11:51

Come to think of it, my 75 year old aunt has a prior gen CRV. And the one before seems to be the senior citizen special. At least they usually stay in the ri ght lane.

Gerry197 > LJ909
08/21/2019 at 12:00

That’s not true, the crossover popularity is because people want them. Even small ones, in comparison to a small sedan.

People aren’t stupid, they just aren’t enthusiast. That’s what “enthusiast” fail to see. They want taller, higher, bigger or the impression of bigger. Not just to see easier, but to get in and out of easier.

Then there is talk about practicality. But it seems to be biased by enthusiast you complain about crossovers being less practical than the sedans they are based on but don’t say a word about sports cars that only fit 2 people that are hard to drive in city conditions, curbing rims and front bumpers.

Having a taller vehicle allows ease of entry and exit. It allows more headroom, it allow larger tires that are easier on pot hole roads. They are tuned for smoother operation which is better for commuting, etc.

People are voting with their dollars, so unless more people suddenly want sedans, which they don’t, don’t expect a change anytime soon.

ranwhenparked > LJ909
08/21/2019 at 12:01

And they have expensive to fix quality control issues on the Mustang that they still won't address.

LJ909 > Gerry197
08/21/2019 at 12:11

Again, I’ m not coming from it as an enthusiast, I’ m coming from it from the perspective of using sense in buying. And crossovers for the most part don’ t make sense and its gotten worse. Especially with models in between models that didn’ t exit before. Look at the New Trailblazer from Chevy.

This doesn’t make sense because for one, no one is expecting a sports car to do anything other than what its intended to do, be a sports car. You go looking for a sports car to be practical you’re just as dumb as a person looking for a crossovers to be a sports car.

I do agree ease of entry and exit are big selling points. its why seniors love crossovers. But that raised ride height also makes maneuverability worse, increases rollover risk especially in emergency situations, and those bigger tires affect fuel economy. Many also offer a negligible increase in interior volume and sometimes are smaller than the car they are based on. People are voting with their dollars like you said, and that’s a dumb move.

jimz > LJ909
08/21/2019 at 12:22

I cant admit that because that’s not th e case.

You may be entitled to your own opinion, but you don’t get to have your own facts. The rapid decline of sales of sedans and minivans combined with the rapid climb of CUVs and trucks means your opinion is simply wrong. Ratcheting up the “I’m smarter than everyone else” bluster doesn’t alter reality.

if people actually researched and looked into properly wouldn’t buy as many of them are worse vehicles th an the ones they are based on like I said.

“Worse” in what way? Anyone who says this invariably starts talking about shit that only matters to enthusiasts. The average person doesn’t give a shit about handling. so long as the thing steers where it’s pointed and the ride doesn’t make them seasick or rattle their kidneys loose. As long as the vehicle has enough performance to get out of its own way, they’re happy. Nobody cares whether the one they’re looking at is 0.5 sec faster to 60 mph. Fuel economy? the “hit” from going to a CUV is ~1-2 mpg at best, and gas is far, far too cheap in this country for anyone to give a shit. Yes, I said cheap. Current gas prices in my region are barely above the rate of inflation (adjusted for today’s dollar, gas in 1994 was $2.02/gal, right now in my area it’s ~$ 2.49.) That’s damn cheap, especially compared to the rest of the world. And even when it’s spiked, it still was pretty cheap especially compared to the rest of the world. People just panicked at how rapidly the price climbed.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > LJ909
08/21/2019 at 12:43

It looks like a Kia Sportage and a guppy got intimate. And $40k to get the 2.0L turbo is insane, the Sportage is fully loaded at $36k.

MrSnrub > ranwhenparked
08/21/2019 at 12:57

Was that in the outgoing gen or one of the earlier ones? The 2013+ is way different from the earlier models.

ranwhenparked > MrSnrub
08/21/2019 at 13:02

One was a 2016, the other was a 2019.

Maxima Speed > jimz
08/21/2019 at 13:04

Not sure where you’re living. I live in a rural area with traditionally cheap gas prices that are now way up $3 a gallon. Yesterday I bought fuel for $3.31 a gallon with my rewards card discount. If this keeps up I think the crossovers are a bubble that will burst. Leaving domestic car makers to scramble to build more economy cars. Also I completely agree with LJ909 on this. People aren’t really doing the research. Why do you think so many people are buying AWD? Because it’s “safer” even though if they were actually doing research and using their brain they would put winter tires on the car in the winter instead of “oh dear, why is my AWD vehicle sliding all I’ve the road”. Hey also are too dense to listen when you try to help them out with such tid bits.

MrSnrub > LJ909
08/21/2019 at 13:17

I like that they’ve gone in a more car-like direction with the new one, and if the new Focus it’s based on is any indication it should be quite nice to drive. I was pretty impressed with my sister’s 2018. I’m not completely sure how I feel about the front end, but I like that it comes in green.

Kinja'd!!!

As far as crossovers go I don’t know what I would rather choose other than the CX-5. But the cheapest CX-5 turbo is already $2k more than the cheapest 2.0T Escape, and the gap will likely be bigger after the typical Ferd discounts. And I doubt the Mazda will be much better to drive unless Ford mucks up the chassis tuning for the US.

Spanfeller is a twat > LJ909
08/21/2019 at 13:28

I saw one in the street being tested (Who knew Ford has an engineering division in Mexico City) the other day... I like the exterior, and I wouldn’t kick the hybrid out of bed.

Spanfeller is a twat > Tapas
08/21/2019 at 13:29

I already romanticize some

Tapas > Spanfeller is a twat
08/21/2019 at 13:57

Well darn