It probably has the best steering and handling in the class, but is way down on power compared to this Ford. The Mazda CX-5, which is one of my faves in the class, starts at $26K and goes up to about $35K. The Escape S starts at $24K and this Titanium starts at about $33K. It may not be as pretty as some, but it works.

Tuning still requires a bunch of button presses, but the Sony radio sounds great and the central touchscreen with Apple CarPlay works well. There’s a lot of hard plastics, but it does have knobs for volume and climate control. The interior styling is fine for this class of vehicle. The Escape is a smaller vehicle, therefore big bumps and potholes will never be completely muted, but it’s quieter inside than expected, and they don’t really upset the balance or direction of the vehicle. The ratio seems quick enough and there’s a solid, planted on-center feel. There’s a little bit of weight to work against, but it’s never a choir. The engine is a little raspy, but that’s what happens when you push a four banger that far.įord’s steering setup always feels on the happy side to me. Shifts from the aging six-speed are fine and if you really want to have fun, start playing with the paddle shifters in sport mode. Every time I step on the pedal, I think, “damn, this thing’s fast!” The throttle is sensitive, which is good for fast starts, not great for smooth starts. This turbo four is way stronger than any Escape buyer needs it to be. The Titanium trim also comes with leather seats, which are much easier to clean than cloth. The cargo area measures 34 cubic feet, which is enough for a giant double stroller and a winter tire, in case you're checking. In a pinch, another small child can squeeze between the child seats in back, to keep your progeny occupied. I put two child seats in the back and not only are they easy to attach, they don’t really infringe on the front seat area, at least with my 5-10 frame. Our Opinion: My wife has one of these, a 2017 model, and like the Jeep Grand Cherokee in the midsize segment, the Escape is my go-to comparison for the compact segment.įor starters, it’s good for kids.

2019 ford crossover