2019 Ford Escape Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

The Ford Escape has been one of the most popular small SUVs for several years now. This crossover SUV comes in the form of a four-door vehicle with a rear hatch for easy access to your cargo. You can comfortably transport up to five passengers in the Escape. You also get an impressive 34 cubic-feet of storage space for whatever else you need to haul around. This can be greatly expanded to 68 cubic feet with the rear seats properly configured.

The Escape comes equipped with one of three different power trains. The base engine is a 2.5L, I-4. This engine produces 168 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. It's an efficient motor that also offers great fuel economy. The next step up is Ford's 1.5L EcoBoost engine. This upgraded 4-cylinder cranks out 179 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. It has a fuel-economy rating of 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg during highway driving.

If speed and performance are your top priorities, you can also have an Escape equipped with a premium 2.0L EcoBoost. This 4-cylinder has a drop in fuel efficiency, but it makes up for it with more power and the best acceleration available from a Ford Escape. It produces an impressive 245 hp with 275 lb-ft of torque. All three engines provide plenty of power and peppy acceleration.

This compact SUV offers surprising performance and driving dynamics. It feels more like a car than an SUV. Handling is great, and the ride quality is smooth and stable. It's also quiet inside of this vehicle. Ford has done a great job of mitigating road and engine noise. Equipped with the 2.0-liter engine, the Escape can feel downright sporty.

Ford's 2019 Escape comes in four different trim levels. The base model is simply called the Ford Escape S. This is followed by the SE and the SEL models. Last of all, the Titanium trim level is at the top of the pack with the most features and options. Every trim level offers great quality and affordability. To find out which trim is right for you, please read on to see how each stacks up against the next level. 

Compare the 2019 Ford Escape S vs SE Trims. What is the difference?

The S model of the Ford Escape is your entry-level trim package. This SUV comes equipped with the standard 2.5L engine. The SE upgrades this to the 1.5L EcoBoost that comes with more horsepower and torque. The S model has great performance, but there is a noticeable difference when you move up to the SE trim package. Both trims come with a 6-speed auto transmission system with overdrive.

The S model has seven exterior colors to choose from while the SE gives you two more options. You can get the SE in a 4X4 configuration which makes it a better driver on slick pavement or in rough weather conditions. It also gives the SE some light off-road capabilities. The S model is only available with front-wheel drive. Both vehicles come with traction control, power-assisted steering, and four-wheel disc ABS brakes.

The SE gives you the option for a few more driver assists such as a Forward Sensor and Cross-Traffic Alert. You can also get 19 inch, painted, aluminum wheels while the S comes with stock 17-inch wheels. The interior materials, design and features are mostly the same between these two trims. The SE gives you a few more options, but it comes stock the same way the S model does.

One of the notable interior options only available on the SE is Ford's Intelligent Access with Push-Button Start. You can also get a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear-shift knob. The SE naturally comes with a few more cup holders and small-storage spaces, but the S version isn't lacking in this area. With the SE you also get one-touch power windows, illuminated vanity mirrors and chrome door handles.

The driver's seat in the SE gets upgraded to a 10-way power adjustable model. You can also opt for leather trim on the upholstery in the SE. On the outside, the grille is chrome and silver painted on the SE. You also get additional features on this trim such as fog lamps and dual chrome exhaust tips. The second row and tailgate windows get privacy glass on the SE. The SE features better soundproofing overall too.

Both the S and SE trims come with the same safety equipment. The SE adds in a perimeter alarm. Some notable safety features found on both models include head restraints, airbags, brake assist and a tire-pressure monitor. Both come with Ford's SOS Post-Crash Alert System.

These two trim levels both come packed with some nice features. The price difference between the two is almost negligible. You get more than your money's worth by upgrading to the SE. The biggest difference between the two is the engine. The EcoBoost on the SE gets you better fuel efficiency, more power and better all-around performance. For most buyers, this will be well worth the small price increase. 

Compare the 2019 Escape SE vs SEL Trims. What is the difference?

The SEL trim level keeps the 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine and gets you the same performance of the SE model. Both vehicles share the same great steering and handling dynamics. The SEL gives you the option to select 18-inch, silver-painted aluminum wheels or 19-inch wheels with black-painted pockets. The SE comes stock with 17-inch wheels but you can also upgrade those to ebony 19-inch ones.

There isn't much of a difference in appearance between these two trims. The SEL adds in a power lift gate. The interior changes are minimal here as well. Both come with dual-zone climate control. You can add in a panoramic vista roof on the SEL model. The leather-trimmed seats and leather gearshift cover come standard on the SEL instead of just being options like they were on previous trim levels.

You get the same FM/Am stereo with six speakers on both trim packages. Ford also includes its Sync3 system for the infotainment center. You can order Sirius Satellite Radio and Sirius XM Traffic for any of the systems that come in a Ford Escape. Both vehicles come with the exact same safety and security features. Everything previously listed for the SE version is included with the SEL.

The differences are minimal this time around but so is the overall price difference. Choosing between a Ford Escape SE or SEL is just a matter of how much you love certain features and creature comforts. If those bells and whistles are important to you, it won't cost a lot more to upgrade to the SEL. 

Compare the Escape SEL vs Titanium Trims. What is the difference?

The Titanium represents the top of the chain when it comes to the Ford Escape trim packages. You get all of the features and options from the previous trim levels. The only exception is when you get an upgraded feature or component. Also, the Titanium model gives you another upgrade to the power train. This version of the Escape comes with Ford's 2.0L, Twin Scroll EcoBoost engine. This motor offers the highest horsepower and torque available for this SUV.

Like the previous trims with other engines, the Titanium has a 6-speed auto transmission system. This time around it also offers Ford's SelectShift capabilities. With this system you can choose the regular automatic shifting or a semi-automatic configuration. This gives you more control over the gear shifts. The Titanium also has a sport mode where you can further select from automatic sport shifts or outright manual shifting.

Steering and handling are a bit tighter and more sporty feeling in the Titanium. Ford throws on a set of 19-inch, machined-aluminum wheels for this model. The pockets and spokes come painted in a luster-nickel color. On the inside of the Titanium, you get a heated steering wheel and ambient lighting.

The Titanium infotainment system gets an upgrade over the one that comes in the SEL. A navigation system and voice-activated commands are added in. The audio system gets upgraded as well. For this trim level you get a Sony system that comes with ten speakers. Your front passenger seat will now have the same 10-way power adjustments that the driver seat does in both the SEL and Titanium. You also get a new memory function that saves your seat-position settings.

On the outside of the Titanium, you get roof rails that are painted silver. The power lift gate can now be activated by a foot switch for easy opening. You also get Bi-Xenon HID headlamps on the Titanium as opposed to the Halogen Reflector headlamps found on the SEL. Both models of the 2019 Ford Escape feature the exact same safety and security features. Ford makes sure that you get the best in every Escape model when it comes to your safety. 

Final Thoughts

Each trim level for the 2019 Ford Escape comes loaded with features and good value. Each level up never really costs much more than the previous model. This makes the idea of upgrading to the next trim an enticing one. Only by moving from the base model to the Titanium does it feel like there's a significant price increase.

For most drivers, the SE will be the best option. It gets an upgraded engine over the S model. The raise in power, performance and fuel economy is significant. The next level up is the SEL which has the exact same power train. You don't really gain better performance from the move from SE to SEL. This makes the SE a good value at its price point.

There aren't a ton of extra features in the SEL to make much of a difference. You can add most of them as an option to the SE if there's one or two things you really like. Unless you decide to go all out for the Titanium, the SE is a great choice. While the price jump between each trim is little, it does start adding up if you jump up through multiple trim levels.

If you have the money and love the extras on the Titanium, you won't be sorry after purchasing one. Keep in mind that it also has the sportiest engine of any trim package. It's a fun SUV to travel about in. For some, this will be well worth the added cost. For everyone else, the SE is an excellent choice and an amazing value.