2019 Ford Escape Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

Those looking for an SUV with a sedan-like ride quality and user-friendly technology need look no further than the new 2019 Ford Escape. While the Escape does not have the utmost in fuel economy and has an interior design that is in need of a contemporary overhaul, this SUV offers a generous amount of cargo space and features one of the best infotainment systems on the market today.

What's New for 2019?

Although this latest addition to the third generation of Escapes has some new features, many things carry over from the 2018 line-up. The most noteworthy changes that have been made are the additions of standard keyless entry and a push-button ignition on both the SE and SEL trims, the Sync 3 infotainment system coming standard on the SE trim, and revamped upholstery on the SEL.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2019 Ford Escape – The Pros

1. Plenty of Cargo Space

One of the most attractive selling points on the 2019 Ford Escape is its abundance of cargo space and how cleverly crafted the cargo area happens to be. While the Escape does not have the best-in-class amount of cargo space, it provides plenty with a total of 68 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down. Quite a lot of cargo can easily be stored in the back, and it feels as though Ford has thought out the design of the cargo space rather thoroughly.

2. A Sedan-like Ride

Although the Ford Escape is a solid midsize SUV, its ride has a distinctly sedan-like feel to it. If you opt for the 2.0-L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine, the ride quality especially takes on a sedan vibe with its smooth and speedy performance. This is only enhanced by the Escape's 6-speed automatic transmission (which provides seamless shifting capabilities) and a well-tuned suspension that makes taking turns feel as effortless as it does on smaller vehicles.

3. The 2.0-L Turbocharged Engine's Swift Acceleration

If you want to get the most out of your engine, the 2.0-L turbocharged 4-cylinder packs quite the powerful punch. This engine is able to get 245 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque, which is certainly enough to get the 2019 Ford Escape up to speed on any roadway. In fact, the Escape models equipped with the 2.0-L turbo engine have been clocked getting from 0 to 60 mph in just 7.1 seconds, which is an impressive acceleration speed for an SUV in this class.

4. User-friendly Technology Via Sync 3

Quite a few auto manufacturers are still struggling to refine multiple elements of their infotainment systems. Ford, on the other hand, seems to know what they are doing with their Sync system. The Sync 3 is quite possibly the most user-friendly infotainment system that you can find in a vehicle right now. Its menus are simple in terms of their navigation, and the touchscreen display is easy to read. There is no noticeable lag, and the commands do not seem overly-sensitive to mere, unintentional hand gestures. Sync's voice recognition system seems to respond appropriately and is not difficult to configure.

5. A Long List of Driver Aids

Drivers are demanding more helpful driver aids, and Ford is responding to this demand. The 2019 Ford Escape is loaded with a long list of standard driver aid features, including a rear-view camera and blind-spot mirrors. Optional driver aids include the blind-spot monitoring system and lane departure warning. On the line-topping Titanium trim, you can get front and rear parking sensors to aid with parking the Escape in tight spots.

6. An Abundance of Small Item Storage Areas

Small item storage is found in abundance throughout the Ford Escape's spacious cabin. The electronic brake button frees up a lot of space on the center console where the brake handle used to be, and the console is now deep enough to accommodate larger items like purses and tablets. There are also sizable seat-back pockets on the front seats so that rear seat passengers have convenient places to store things like their tech gear and books. Cup and bottle holders are plentiful and can hold larger-sized drinks.

7. Child Safety Seats Are Easy to Install

The 2019 Ford Escape takes a bit of a burden off of parents who have to buckle their children into child safety seats. The vehicle's LATCH anchors are conveniently located along the surface of the seat-backs, eliminating the need to dig around inside the seat cushions to try to find them. The rear seat-backs house the reinforcement LATCH anchors, also making them easy to access and use. With wide enough door openings and sufficient interior space, loading and unloading child safety seats is a lot less of a hassle.

8. A Decent Towing Capacity

Most consumers are not going to want to buy the Ford Escape for its towing capacity, but if you need it, it is there. The Escape is rated for towing 1,500 pounds on the base S trim, and it maxes this number out with the optional Class II Trailer Tow Package, which allows for 3,500 pounds of towing capacity. While you won't be lugging anything massive behind the Escape, having a decent towing capacity will come in handy for some drivers.

9. Easy to Enter and Exit

Getting in and out of the 2019 Ford Escape is quite simple thanks to the height of the seats and the small step up. Those who struggle with mobility issues will likely appreciate this aspect of the vehicle since other SUVs can be more difficult to enter and exit due to their size and construction. Getting into the Escape feels more like getting into a mini-van than an SUV.

10. A Quiet Ride Inside the Cabin

The Ford Escape's cabin offers a quiet and relaxing ride, especially with the 2.0-L turbo engine equipped. The turbo can go up to full throttle on the highway without making much noise, and you certainly will not have to worry about it interfering at slower speeds. There are relatively no vibrations that make their way into the vehicle either; bumps in the road are nicely absorbed.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2019 Ford Escape – The Cons

1. A Poor Fuel Economy

One of the biggest downsides to driving the 2019 Ford Escape is the fact that its fuel economy does not keep pace with some of its competitors. At best, it can only get up to about 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, which pales in comparison to the numbers the Honda CR-V manages to pull. Those looking for a strong fuel economy might end up overlooking the Escape.

2. A Lackluster 2.5-L Base Engine

The Ford Escape's base engine is not very thrilling. It gets 168 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque, which just makes this SUV feel sluggish. The 1.5-L turbocharged engine on the SE trim does not do much better, garnering just 179 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. If you want something exciting, you will have to spend more money to get the 2.0-L turbocharged engine on the line-topping Titanium trim.

3. An Outdated Interior

The 2019 Ford Escape lacks some of the decorative finesse of its competitors. While there is no doubt that the materials used throughout the cabin are durable, they are not particularly eye-catching. The vehicle's interior just looks dowdy and outdated, even for a vehicle in its price bracket. A few new design elements could vastly improve the overall look of the cabin.

4. Steering Does Not Feel Natural

This complaint is one that can be made regarding many SUVs being manufactured today, and it certainly holds true for the Ford Escape. Steering on the Escape has an artificial sensation to it despite the fact that it provides enough feedback for the driver. Drivers might feel disengaged from the steering and the drive performance overall.

How it stacks up to the competition:

2019 Ford Escape vs. 2019 Honda CR-V

The 2019 Ford Escape has a huge competitor in the form of the 2019 Honda CR-V. Not only does the CR-V get superb gas mileage, but it looks way more upscale on the interior. The turbocharged engine that you can opt for on the Honda is also quite engaging. The biggest drawback on the CR-V is that its infotainment system is not quite as refined as the Sync 3.

2019 Ford Escape vs. 2019 Nissan Rogue

This year, the 2019 Nissan Rogue is another big competitor for the 2019 Ford Escape. The Rogue offers third-row seating that is fit for smaller passengers. It also has an abundance of cargo space. What the Rogue lacks is a smooth transmission and a zippy acceleration from its powertrain, which makes the Rogue a bit boring to drive.

Conclusion

There is little doubt to be had that the 2019 Ford Escape offers a lot in the way of comfort and user-friendly technology. Although the Ford Escape does not stack up to some of its competitors in terms of having the best fuel economy or a super chic interior for its class, the Escape does come with a lot of helpful safety features and a zippy performance from the optional 2.0-L turbocharged engine. By all accounts, the Escape seems to have been designed with safety and family-friendliness in mind, even though a few contemporary touches to the interior could make the vehicle even more attractive of a purchase.