2018 Ford Escape Pros vs Cons

Choosing a small crossover or SUV can be a daunting task. Competition is stiff and there are many excellent vehicles in this class. One good choice to consider is the 2018 Ford Escape. The Escape offers more cargo space than most vehicles in this class. It also has a nice, voice-command interface and a number of trims to choose from.

What's New For 2018

There aren't too many major changes for the 2018 Ford Escape. The vehicle got a bit of an overhaul just last year, so no major changes were really to be expected. Ford has added a new trim level this year called SEL. This trim seems to have been designed to fit in between the base, budget model and the top luxury version of the Escape.

Ten Reasons You May Like the 2018 Ford Escape – The Pros

1. Good Performance and Sporty Handling

For this type of vehicle, the 2018 Ford Escape feels downright lively when steering around turns. Steering is responsive and provides decent feedback to the driver. Braking feels strong and consistent. All-wheel drive is optional and makes the vehicle excellent in all weather situations.

The Ford Escape comes with a choice of three different engines. These are the 2.5-liter I-4, 1.5-liter EcoBoost I-4 and the 2.0-liter EcoBoost I-4. These engines produce 168 hp, 170 hp and 245 hp respectively. The most powerful engine produces 275 lb-ft of torque. All models comes standard with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Shifting seems smooth and accurate.

2. Lots of High-Tech, User Friendly Features

All of the high-tech features in most Fords are intuitive and user friendly. Top trim levels feature push-button start as long as you have the key close by. Automatic climate control regulates the temperature within two different zones. Many of the features can be controlled via voice commands.

3. Excellent Cargo Space

The 2018 Ford Escape has some of the most cargo space in its class. With the rear seats down, you can get an impressive 68 cu. ft. of space for whatever you need to haul around. If you are carrying passengers and cargo, you still have 34 cu. ft. of space with those seats up.

The cargo floor is low, making it easy to get your goods in and out of the vehicle. The lift-gate can be opened hands-free for even more convenience. The interior is filled with storage areas for small items.

4. Premium, Luxury Interior

The interior of the 2018 Ford Escape seems more luxurious than other vehicles at this price range in the same class. The materials all seem high quality and the fit and finish is top notch. The seats are extremely comfortable with the cloth or leather trim options.

5. Comfortable Ride Quality

The 2018 Ford Escape has a soft suspension that soaks up any bumps you may encounter. The ride quality is very smooth and fairly quiet. This is a very nice vehicle for travel and long commutes.

6. Good Towing Capacity

The 2018 Ford Escape offers good towing capacity for a vehicle in its class. The base model can tow up to 1,500 pounds and the 2.0-liter EcoBoost I-4 can handle twice that much. 3,000 pounds of towing capacity should cover most needs.

7. Lots of Interior Space For Passengers

The interior head and leg room is spacious. This is true of the front seats as well as the rear passenger seats. Getting in and out of the rear seats is also easy and convenient. This makes the 2018 Ford Escape good for any long trips.

8. Nice Infotainment System with Ford's SYNC 3 Software

Ford has been doing a great job with its infotainment systems over the last few years. the SYNC 3 system features a large, attractive touchscreen and voice-command technology. It now also features connectivity with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The standard system features six speakers, but up to ten can be had as optional.

9. Good Safety Rating and Features

All models come with a tire-pressure monitoring system and brake assisting. Ford's Personal Safety System features duel-stage airbags. These are designed to keep the driver and passenger from accidentally being injured by the airbags themselves. Knee airbags are also included for the driver. Side airbags protect the front-seat occupants from a crash from any angle.

While there are no tests for the 2018 model, the previous years have shown the Ford Escape to be a safe vehicle. In crash tests by J.D. Power and Associates, the Escape rates near the top of the list in every crash scenario. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave it five stars as well.

10. Optional All-Wheel Drive

Optional all-wheel drive makes the Escape good for any season, climate or weather anomalies you may run into. It makes for excellent traction and even for some light off-road duties.

Reasons You May Not Like the 2018 Ford Escape – The Cons

1. An Overly Busy, Cluttered Dashboard

While it is easy to figure out and reach the controls, the dash design looks a bit cluttered. It is very functional, but feels like the design could have been better thought out.

2. Seats Are a Bit Firm

The seats may be a bit firm for the taste of some consumers.

3. Less Seats Than Many SUVs

The Ford Escape comfortably seats five. This isn't bad, but there are SUVs with more passenger seats. If you have a huge family, then you might be better off choosing something larger.

How it Stacks up to the Competition

Some of the top competitors to the 2018 Ford Escape are the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Kia Sportage. The Ford beats the Honda in price, safety and performance, while the Honda wins fuel efficiency and comfort.

The Ford is cheaper than the Toyota as well. It beats the Rav4 in safety, performance, comfort and performance. The Rav4 has more cargo space, but it's close. The Kia Sportage is cheaper than the Ford, but loses out in storage space, performance, safety and handling.

Conclusion

There are a lot of really good choices a consumer could make in the crossover vehicle market. The Ford leads the pack in a number of crucial areas. The price is great for the quality, luxury and high-tech features the Escape offers. Performance is excellent and the driveability makes it fun to take on long commutes. If you are in the market for a five-seat crossover vehicle, be sure to check out this year's new Ford Escape model.