Ford Escape 2021 review

00:00 Intro
01:04 Design
02:15 Price & Features
04:14 Practicality
05:06 Safety
06:16 Engine specs
06:45 Fuel use
07:10 Ownership
07:34 Driving
12:03 Verdict

The Escape is one of the best-looking medium SUVs on the market and more practical than its sleek lines would suggest. The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine makes it one of the most powerful among its rivals, although not the best to drive due to overly sharp steering and unsettled body control at times. While the standard features list is hardly missing anything even in the entry grade, the Escape range could do with a lower priced grade to make the model more accessible.

The sweet spot in the range is the entry grade Escape. Yes you miss out on the digital instrument cluster and heated seats but you're getting most of the upper grades' equipment at a lower price.

CarsGuide - Go beyond the test drive

[auPython]

I have ordered my Vignale FWD, as it demolishes the similarly priced Mazda CX-5 GT Turbo for on board tech and features. Also the CX-5 requires servicing every 10, 000kms, the Escape is every 15, 000kms.

[analysethis]

Fantastic review, Richard. After seeing your review, I test drove the car and was surprised with what was on offer. The Vignale looks beautiful, the engine is more powerful than any mid size suv in the segment, paired with 8 speed automatic transmission its more fuel efficient and more spacious than a Cx5 and Skoda Karoq. Now thats value for money. Our test car showed 7.1 ltr in eco mode thats for fuel efficiency . The car is not that tall which makes it easier to get in and get out. I have shortlisted the car in the top 3 cars as I am looking to buy a mid size Suv. One more thing which is most appealing is the cost of ownership which is $299 per service at 15000 km whichis simply superb. What a welcome surprise! Keep up the good work Richard.

[RallyLife]

When you consider that the CX5 only has rear air vents when you get a Maxx Sport. At 41k driveaway it makes entry level Escape seem quite fine. Everyone knows the base model Mazda is like 38k and has steel wheels, 40kw less power, less torque, no rear air vents and has a smaller boot. Now it all comes into focus (no pun intended). Direct steering is a win in my books. At least it doesn't feel like your driving a bus.

[alexisan]

On the vignale you can turn on the aircon from anywhere so when you get to the car the seats are cool .No need for ventilated seats .

[buddhike_wijayathilake]

Another excellent review. Not boring as most others.

[dapostusa]

My employer provides me with one of these to use, but I have found a few problems:
1. I'm 6 foot two and have to duck to avoid hitting my head on the open hatch. LOOK OUT!
2. I live in the great white north. When Its cold and icy I start the car first to get it warming, the exit it to clean snow and ice off the glass.
Come to find out it will automatically lock the drivers door while I am doing this! Make sure you unlock the other door when you exit the
car while it is running or you might get locked out.
3. Getting the seat belt latched is a major dexterity challenge when wearing a coat.
4. The sound system does not have a cd (probably an option) but neither has an aux jack and won't accept a standard usb memory stick with mp3s programmed on it! Useless to use a phone while driving to choose your music.

[robocopvn]

Always love to watch video with sense of humor at the core. And this is definitely the better one of those!

[drivingparadox]

Thanks for another fun video Richard. Great looking vehicle, particularly the back end. I had an Escape for five years back in 2006. This might be the right change point from our MC Mondeo Titanium.

[teberer]

I have been driving a wagon titanium Mondeo, great car, the Vignale is a good replacement next year, this is one of the better reviews for the Escape, thanks Richard.

[maxmaj]

Quite enjoyable video, with enough info, thanks mate.

[geokandas]

Different and excellent review!
Greetings from Greece!!

[moppet]

My parents have this - they love it! I'm getting the puma though and I'm super excited, it's such a cutie 💓

[the.vinodd]

You're like my best friend...cheeky n funny... and I come back to see you again and again

[stevekinney]

Informative, interesting and entertaining review. Many thanks.

[jimpeterson]

I purchased a new 2021 Ford Escape PHEV (plug-in Hybrid) in Oct. of 2021. It has 14000 miles on it. I now stalls in the middle of traffic while in EV mode. It's happened 3 times. Once while my wife was driving in the middle of an intersection (blocking traffic, horns honking, etc.). There is a recall for this exact failure on the same year, model, and engine as my vehicle, but they say I don't qualify. The recall code is 21S48. I believe it’s a high cost fix for them, so they're not issuing the recall as they should (e.g. have these vehicles proactively called in for testing and diagnosis before the failure happens). Anyway, I have to wait 3 weeks for a dealership mechanic to even look at it and I have a long drive I must make in less than a week. Needless to say I'm very disappointed in Ford’s quality and support. I'm an electrical engineer (for 35 years), I design high-reliability products and I'm very disappointed in the quality of Ford engineering that missed this breakdown in safe operation. Maybe they're not ready for EV yet. Maybe they need to invest in Hi-Rel design training for their engineers. All I know is I spent $45, 000 for a malfunctioning and dangerous Ford vehicle. I’ve only owned it for 18 months, it only has 14, 000 miles on it and it feels like a lemon. I should have purchased the Toyota RAV4 Plugin Hybrid! Sorry for the ranting, but I feel indignant and frustrated by this.

[rxqqskydvceib]

Thx for the video. Regarding the direct steering I see it as a must win in any car I buy. Actually if steering was not direct it would be a turn off for me. I sold my Toyota because it’s steering is loose and it drives like a boat… tried Prado, Camry and Corrola and hated them. Yaris was the only one with better steering.

[wildpixel]

What’s the the 20” rim option when you’re on the website looking at the top of the range? How different do they look to the normal ones?

[carmellomodaffari]

thanks for this video always enjoy to watch, always make me laugh your a great review and the best .

[AdrianLParker]

@9:04 Sport mode makes the shifts quicker? Surely you have that backwards? You short shift for fuel economy, you late shift performance.

[lynnm.]

I picked up a brand new Ford Escape 2021 on 4/26/21. Two weeks after I picked it up, the check engine light came on and I could no longer drive the car in reverse. I could go forward if I wanted to, but silly me, I thought I was going to have a car that could do both. Took it to the dealership, but by the time they saw the car, the check engine light went out and it could go in reverse so they could not fix what they could not see. Today once again the check engine light came on and once again, the car would not go in reverse. Another trip to the dealer and a wasted five hours (getting a ride home took up the majority of that time) of my time before they determined that a part needed to be over-nighted. So here I sit at home waiting for an overnight part delivery. I do not have a vehicle to get to work tomorrow and who knows when I will have transportation again. I do, however, have a really nice lease payment to make, so there is that. Don't buy a Ford because getting in touch with them to file a complaint is not easy. Thank God this is a two year lease. I will find another brand the next time to lease.