Once thought of as a “Baby Explorer” when it debuted in 2001, the Ford Escape made the small SUV segment its own, and soon developed its own following, personality, utility, look and feel. The 13th top-selling vehicle in 2019, Escape is Ford’s No.2-best-selling vehicle, behind only the F-Series.

For 2020, Escape, has been redesigned for its fourth generation, and brings back a hybrid model, after a seven-year hiatus.

The 2020 Ford Escape is all-new with an aerodynamic design stemming from a sloped roofline, optimized liftgate spoiler and efficient underbody. Two hundred pounds lighter than the previous incarnation, due in part to the extensive use of high-strength, lightweight steel, Escape gains power, fuel efficiency and sportiness across all of its five trim levels. The 2020 edition offers four powertrains, including a standard hybrid and a plug-in variant, and introduces technologies ranging from drive modes and driver-assist features to electric vehicle ingenuity and on-board connectivity. Escape introduces new sliding second-row seats for 2020 that enable best-in-class second-row legroom and as much as 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space. And Ford’s smartest-ever small SUV features new selectable drive modes and Ford Co-Pilot360™ driver-assist technology. Available features include a 12.3-inch all-digital instrument cluster, a first-for-Ford in North America heads-up display and its first-in-class driver-assist features Active Park Assist 2.0 and Evasive Steering Assist.

The new Escape’s architecture goes for sportiness, borrowing its shield-shaped trapezoidal grille from a similar sixth-generation Mustang inspiration, while the lower front end pays homage to Ford GT. Compared to the previous model, the all-new Escape stands lower, wider and longer.

The 2020 Escape continues in its compact crossover footprint though this year’s generation gains 2.4 inches in length to 180.5. Escape measures 66.1 inches in height (0.2 inches lower) and 74.1 inches in width (a gain of 1.7 inches), on a 106.7-inch wheelbase – up 0.8 inches. Minimum running ground clearance is 7.9 inches and Escape has a curb weight range of 3298 lbs. to 3884 lbs. depending on trim and drive configuration.

Performance upgrades help make Escape a fun-to-drive sports-ute, with both its gas engine-powered models and the standard hybrid available with all-wheel drive. EcoBoost-equipped models get a new quick-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission for smooth, responsive shifting, while every Escape receives an all-new suspension and improved dynamics with a new isolated rear subframe.

Available in either Front-Wheel-Drive or Intelligent 4WD, Escape’s engine choices include the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter FHEV iVCT inline-4 engine that delivers 198hp and 170 lbs-ft of torque with sequential multiport electronic fuel injection and the 2.5-liter PHEV that gives you 209hp. The standard hybrid targets best-in-class EPA-estimated range of more than 550 miles and the plug-in hybrid targets a best-in-class EPA-estimated pure-electric range of 30-plus miles. For gas-engine devotees, a direct-injection 1.5-liter EcoBoost® I-4 with Auto Start-Stop returns, rated at 180hp, with 177-lbs-ft of torque and a EPA estimate of 26mpg/city, 31mpg/highway and 28mpg/combined. The other option, a turbocharged direct injection 2.0-liter Twin-Scroll EcoBoost® inline-4 with Auto Start-Stop also returns this year, supplying 250hp and 275 lbs-ft of torque on premium fuel, with EPA estimates of 22/28/24. I drove the 1.5-liter and averaged 28.6mpg in mixed-use tests. My weeklong test included some interstate trips, in-town maneuvers and one soft-road test, and I found the system to provide just enough power to pass when asked, and to conquer uphill grades sufficiently. A track test showed a steady 7.7-second zero-to-60mpg sprint and a 16-second-flat quarter-mile. My small SUV showed carlike steering, balance and an family driving and passenger experience.

Inside, the cabin is well-appointed with seating for five. Accommodations are tight for taller drivers, as headroom measures 40.0 inches in front and 39.3 in row two. Legroom can be stretched to a maximum of 42.4 inches in row one, while second-row passengers have 38.9 inches. Shoulder room is 57.6 in row one and 56.0 for row two, representing small gains in shoulder and legroom.

The 2020 Ford Escape is available in five trims. The S trim starts at $24,885 with the 1.5-liter I-4 EcoBoost® engine and Sync® with 4.2-inch LCD Screen Display; the SE that I tested, starts at $27,105 with the 1.5-liter EcoBoost® and adding SYNC® 3 with 8-inch LCD Screen Display, 10-Way Power Driver with Heated Front Row, Intelligent Access with Push Button Start and more; the SE Sport Hybrid starts at $28,265 with the 2.5L iVCT Atkinson Cycle I-4 Hybrid Engine and more; the SEL trim starts at $29,265 with the 1.5, reverse sensing and a power liftgate; and the Titanium trim started at $33,550 in FWD with the 2.5-liter Hybrid, 10-Speaker Audio System and more.

My Escape SE added Rapid Red exterior paint for $395. Upgrading from FWD to all-wheel-drive added $1500; Ford Co-Pilot Assist™ added $695 for Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go, Voice-Activated Touchscreen Navigation System with Pinch-to-Zoom Capability, and SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link®. Splash guards added $210; a Panoramic Vista Roof added $1495 and Destination Charges of $1245 plus an Acquisition fee of $645, put the sticker-as-tested at $33,390, but incentives of $1625 and other discounts are available, so check with your dealer.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

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