With crossovers being all the rage in the automotive industry, it’s only natural that manufacturers have numerous crossover options in their lineup. While this gives crossover buyers plenty of options, it can be a bit overwhelming narrowing down a choice. Thankfully the 2018 Ford Escape checks a lot of boxes and if it doesn’t top your list, it can at least act as a baseline to compare all others on your shortlist.
CHARMING EXTERIOR
The 2018 Ford Escape foregoes the current trend of flamboyance and over design and instead puts forward a charming exterior design that will stay current for many years to come. The secret they used is keeping the overall look simple, strong and refined.
The strong presence of the sculpted front end shines through with nice large headlights, a few hood accent lines, a thick grille and a pleasing lower front fascia design complete with fog lights. The side accent lines flow almost the entire length of the 2018 Escape, while the sloped roofline adds an understated sleekness. The rear end appears a bit clunky but does a decent job of tying together the entire design with some bold horizontal lines, solid tail lights and a dual exhaust.
Overall, the exterior shows no unnecessary excess, which is a good indicator that most of the effort went into the development of the performance and interior. The captivating exterior doesn’t show much flash but instead exudes an understated elegance.
MODERN INTERIOR
Since the majority of a driver or passenger’s time is spent inside the vehicle while driving, it goes without saying that one of the more important deciding factors should be the interior. The 2018 Ford Escape delivers a modern, clean and comfortable interior that’s both functional and beautiful. The clean and clutter-free environment that greets passengers as they enter is both welcoming and stimulating.
The dash of the 2018 Escape is really the centerpiece of the entire vehicle. It stands out in a unique and inspired way, showcasing a modern, almost futuristic look. 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 may be a bit monotonous with the various shades and textures of black, that’s really the thing with which we can fault the interior. However, with the bold shaping of the dash you hardly realize this anyway!
The infotainment system in the 2018 Ford Escape is top of the line and perhaps best in class. The huge 8 inch touch screen display helps clear away some often annoying button clutter, while the SYNC 3 interface makes for easily navigating the numerous features. Add the ambient lighting feature for complete control of the interior mood lighting, and you have one of the best in class interiors that will keep passengers quite content.
The seats are plush yet firm and offer great support for longer drives, while the whole interior in general is much roomier than the exterior size would have you believe. Plenty of head and leg room, plus a cargo area that expands with the split folding rear seats, ensure a variation fit for any combination of passengers and cargo.
PERFORMANCE AND DRIVEABILITY
Depending on what drivers will be using the 2018 Ford Escape for, there are three different engines to select 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. The two smaller engines are rated for a towing capacity of 2,000lbs, while the more powerful 2.0L engine can tow 3,500lbs.
The design and weight distribution helps the 2018 Escape handle precisely and responsively. While it packs plenty of power to propel it superbly on a straightaway, it also has great drivability characteristics 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 2018 Ford Escape, thanks to the automatic engine stop-start feature and the keeping the engine to only four cylinders. The midrange 1.5L turbo charged engine offer the best fuel consumption at 10.2 L/100km in the city and 7.8 L/100km on the highway, while the top of the line 245hp engine is slightly higher at 11.5 L/100km in the city and 8.8 L/100km on the highway.
LEADING SAFETY FEATURES
The 2018 Ford Escape Titanium also happens to be one of the safest crossovers you can buy right now. The halogen projector-beam headlights are exceptionally bright and make sure that you have a clear view ahead. The plethora of airbags will protect passengers from impacts in pretty much every direction. There are sensors that detect obstructions both in the front and the rear, while reversing is improved even further with the rearview camera. Other features like the aforementioned Curve Control system helps make cornering a breeze and if you want to take safety to the next level then you can opt for a host of features including smart cruise control, a lane keeping system, forward collision detection and emergency braking.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Choosing a car in the crossover segment can become very harrowing and confusing, but with a starting price of $25,199, the 2018 Ford Escape is a worthy contender. The 2018 Escape’s refined exterior, beautiful modern interior, selection of engines and host of safety features should help to make your choice just a little easier and overall is a thumbs-up from us.
