The Rundown
SUVs are popular. While potential owners contemplate a new SUV, there are plenty of used SUVs out on the market. The good news is that there is a whole market of used Escapes out on the market, and plenty of generations and trims to choose from. Today we are going to cover which generation has what features, and what Escape might be the best for you.
First Generation 2001-2012
The first iterations of the Escape featured a much larger and boxier version of the Escape than we have grown accustomed to in recent years. The 90s bleed into the 2000s in much of the styling of this SUV, and it's perfect for those looking for an off-roading SUV with 90s flair. This Escape is roomy and perfect for mid sized families who want more cargo space than the current model year can offer. Looking for a hybrid engine? This generation features a hybrid available after 2005. Gas mileage does increase from 2008-2012 and the performance is better on these model years as well. The reported reliability for the first generation is average, and there are not any years in particular that you should avoid.
Second Generation 2013-2019
The middling years is where many cars went through a shrinking ray. The Ford Escape became more of a compact SUV and has remained a similar size since. The styling is more modern, with curving lines and almost a hatchback. The interior also is more modern, the design of the dash and drivers cluster has more screens and fewer dials. This Escape may not be as large as the first generation, but it has a marked improvement on gas mileage, getting more than 30 mpg on the highway. Ford focused on interior capability and added loads of features to create a driver focused capability. Unfortunately, Ford did away with the hybrid engine for this generation, but makes up for it with an increased gas mileage across the lineup. The engine also went through a shrinkage during this time, with only a 4-cylinder engine being offered.
Third Generation 2020-2022
This generation of the Escape focused on refined road capability as it has the incumbent Ford Bronco Sport taking its place off the road. The Escape gets lower to the ground but grows in length and width. The engine also went through another shrinkage, and now has a standard three cylinder engine with an upgraded turbocharged four cylinder available on higher trims. Hybrid and plug in hybrid powertrains are also available. These cars are the most recent and highest priced years of the Escape, but feature more modern creature comforts such as a large infotainment screen, calmer console and upscale Ford design.
Summary
No matter what generation you choose, the Escape makes a great SUV, and will be Ford reliable.