2024 Ford Escape SE Redesign, Availability – This year’s Ford Escape is almost identical to last year’s model. This year, three new exterior color options, Atlas Blue, Iced Blue, and Fight Blue, have been added. The 2024 Ford Escape will have the same powertrain options as the 2021 Ford Escape. In addition to the standard Escape, the Escape Hybrid and Escape PHEV are both available. The S, SE, SEL, and Titanium trim levels are all available on the 2024 Ford Escape. The S trim starts at $25,555 and goes up to $35,890 for the Titanium AWD trim. The 2024 Ford Escape competes with the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Hyundai Tucson.
A few compromises must be made to achieve the goal of being the ideal daily-driver SUV with a lively personality. Getting a 2024 Ford Escape with a gas-powered engine, a hybrid, or a hybrid-electric powertrain is possible. The inline-3 and inline-4 turbocharged engines available for the gas-powered Escape are a step up from the outgoing inline-3. The three-cylinder engine that comes standard in the base model is tuned for the best possible fuel economy and performance combination. In contrast, the four-cylinder engine that comes standard in the top-of-the-line model is smoother and more powerful. The interior of the 2024 Escape has been left almost untouched, and this tacky decor is the real disappointment. Even though the interior has plenty of room, the vehicle’s modest size prevents it from having a large cargo hold. Therefore, the focus of our evaluation will be on how it compares to other compact SUVs in its class.
2024 Ford Escape SE Redesign
Except for the SE trim, the 2024 Ford Escape retains its distinctive diamond-mesh grille with chrome trim and chrome-framed upper windows. The SUV’s wide-hipped design is reminiscent of the Mazda CX-5, thanks to its concave side profile. 17-inch wheels and automatic halogen projector headlights are included as standard equipment. Higher-end models include 18- or 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, and LED fog lights on the 18- or 19-inch models. Upgrades to a power liftgate are available starting with the SEL and above. The Ford Escape’s modest size allows it to fit snugly into the market. It measures 180.5 inches in length and 106.7 inches in width. Without the roof rack, it is 66.1 inches tall. If the side mirrors are folded, the SUV can fit into a parking space 78.7 inches wide. However, despite its increased weight and dimensions, the base model S is still only 3,298 pounds. The largest gas model weighs 3,566 lbs. The heaviest plug-in hybrid weighs 3,870 lbs. with the 2.0-liter AWD engine. 7.3 inches of ground clearance.
The new Escape is content with a limited selection of cosmetic options. Most of the available options, including the standard complimentary colors, are available on the entry-level S model. Agate Black, Iconic Silver, Carbonized Gray, Atlas Blue, and Iced Blue are just a few options. Colors like Velocity Blue and Antimatter Blue will no longer be available by 2024 because they were part of the previous palette. More color options are available by skipping S and going with Flight Blue ($595), Star White ($595), or Rapid Red ($395).
Interior
Even though the interior of the Escape is well-designed and offers plenty of room for all passengers, the low-quality plastic panels on the doors and lower console are remarkably distracting. High-end trims get either plausible faux-leather seating surfaces or genuine leather in the Titanium, which is the most expensive option. The Chevrolet Equinox and the Ford Escape share a cargo area that can fit up to eight carry-on luggage in the back of the Escape. With the back seats folded, we could fit 21 cases in the Escape, but the Equinox had room for two more.
While the 4.2-inch radio display on the base S model and the AM/FM radio is the only entertainment options, the 8.0-inch touchscreen display on the SE model and higher features Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system and support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. For the most connected and high-tech Escape, the Titanium model has a B&O Play 10-speaker music system, in-dash navigation, and a 12.3-inch digital gauge display that can be accessed via a smartphone app on all models. A head-up show is not required.
Engine
Since the hybrid and plug-in electric vehicle (PHEV) models were added to the Ford Escape portfolio for the 2020 model year, no engine updates were planned for the 2024 model year. There will be a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 and a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-3 in the 2024 Escape. Regarding horsepower and torque, the former has 181, and the latter has 250. Both engines are standard with front-wheel drive (FWD) but can be ordered with all-wheel drive (AWD) as an option. The Titanium model, on the other hand, comes standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive.
It will take the 2024 Escape less than eight seconds to accelerate from 0-60 MPH and complete a quarter-mile in less than sixteen seconds. It takes 6.3 seconds for the turbo inline-4 to accelerate from zero to 60 mph. The Honda CR-V, with a 0-60 MPH time of 7.7 seconds, is neck-and-neck with the Escape as the fastest SUV. The slowest of the bunch is the Hyundai Tucson, clocking in a little less than nine seconds from 0-60 MPH. The Ford Escape rides and looks like a European car. The 2024 Ford Escape has the same soft ride quality and pliant handling as the current model. The Escape’s brakes were already impressive, but in emergency braking tests, it stopped from a speed of 60 mph in just 128 feet, a time faster than most of its competing SUVs.
2024 Ford Escape SE Release Date and Price
The price of the Escape varies widely, but it’s still within reach for most buyers thanks to a wide range of trims and powertrain options. The most basic model is available, starting at $25,555 for the S variant with the FWD motor or $27,055 for AWD. All-wheel-drive adds $1,500 to the price of the SE, which is $27,035 without it. The SEL is priced at $29,505 with the base engine and adds $3,300 for an all-wheel-drive system and a four-cylinder engine. The Titanium’s asking price of $36,055 includes the strong turbo-four-pot as standard equipment. Taxes, registration, licensing fees, and the $1,245 destination cost charged by Ford are not included in this pricing.