With numerous SUV options in the Ford lineup, the 2019 Ford Escape fits in just below the 2019 Ford Edge and just above the Ford Ecosport in size. This compact crossover SUV offers a great blend of technology, convenience and comfort in a maneuverable yet roomy size. With so many options in the compact crossover SUV category, the 2019 Escape checks a lot of boxes and if it doesn’t fit on the top of your list, it is a great example to use as a baseline to compare all the others.
REFINED EXTERIOR
The 2019 Ford Escape skips the current trend of flamboyance and over design, while instead focusing on a simple yet charming exterior design that will stay timeless for many years to come. The secret recipe for their charming exterior comes down to a simple, strong and refined design.
The 2019 Escape’s design presents much road presence with its sculpted front end complete with boxy headlights, some hood accent lines, a thick grille and a pleasing lower front fascia design complete with fog lights. The side view presents the sleek sloping roofline along with full length accent lines to add another element of refinement. The rear end could use a bit of simplification as it currently has a slightly clunky appearance, but overall it ties the front and side design in nicely with some bold full width horizontal lines, beefy tail lights and dual exhaust.
The 2019 Ford Escape’s exterior shows no unnecessary excess, which helps convince the viewer that the majority of Ford’s efforts have gone into the interior and the drivability. While overall the refined exterior doesn’t show much flash, instead it exudes an understated elegance.
SLEEK INTERIOR
One of the more important factors when considering a vehicle to purchase should be the interior, since the majority of a driver or passenger’s time is spent inside the vehicle while driving. The 2019 Escape delivers a modern, clean and comfortable interior that’s both functional and handsome. The clean and clutter-free environment that greets passengers as they enter is bright and welcoming.
The dash of the 2019 Ford Escape stands out in a unique and inspired way, showcasing a modern, almost futuristic look with a huge touchscreen display which helps to reduce button clutter. Various tiers of high quality materials, different storage areas, a clean layout and huge 3D vents help to complete the look. While the colour scheme can be a bit monotonous with black on black on black materials, that’s really the only thing that can fault the interior. The bold multi-tier design of the dash distracts the eyes from everything else.
The plush yet firm double stitched leather seats and comfortable and offer great support for longer drives. The whole interior in general is much roomier than the exterior size would have you believe, with plenty of head and leg room and a cargo area that expands with the split folding rear seats, to ensure a variation to fit any combination of passengers and cargo.
PERFORMANCE AND DRIVEABILITY
The 2019 Ford Escape offers 4 models with varying degrees of luxury and technology, along with three different engines to choose from. The base model S comes equipped with a pretty straightforward 2.5L four cylinder engine outputting 165hp, while the next step up is the balanced 1.5L turbo charged four cylinder engine outputting 179hp and the top of the line engine comes in the form of a responsive 2.0L turbo charged four cylinder engine outputting a more hefty 245hp. All engines are paired to a six speed automatic transmission with SelectShift.
The design and weight distribution helps the 2019 Escape Titanium to handle precisely and responsively. With plenty of power for fast accelerations on a straightaway, it also has great handling allowing drivers to corner with confidence and style. If you go into a corner a little too quickly, the Escape uses its Curve Control System to automatically slow you down to make sure you stay on the road.
Fuel efficiency is also top notch in the 2019 Ford Escape Titanium, thanks to the automatic engine stop-start feature and also using a turbo to keep the engine to only four cylinders. The top of the line 245hp engine on the Titanium model outputs a 11.5 L/100km fuel consumption in the city and 8.8 L/100km fuel consumption on the highway.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Choosing a car in the compact crossover segment can become daunting since there are so many options that deliver very similar features. With a starting price of $26,399, the 2019 Ford Escape is a worthy contender that delivers great value for money. The simple yet refined exterior, elegant modern interior, selection of engines and host of safety features should help to make your choice just a little easier, while overall the 2019 Ford Escape gets a thumbs-up from us.
