Ford’s award-winning compact crossover has earned its share of die-hard fans since it was first introduced over 20 years ago. The 2022 Ford Escape, part of the fourth generation that debuted back in 2020, is well-poised to keep that legacy going with a strong offering that’s sure to tick all the boxes for those seeking a reliable, efficient SUV. This compact crossover is nothing if not flexible. The popular model is available in four distinct trims and includes a host of accessory packages, but engine selection is where the 2022 Escape truly shines, as the Escape is offered with two gas engine options, a hybrid, and a plug-in hybrid.
The Escape actually offers the most engine options of any compact crossover currently on the market, which given the category’s popularity, is rather surprising. Ford has also taken its time with the Escape’s styling and tech features, offering a wide selection of appearance packages and some next-generation tech that only adds to the SUV’s legacy for customization. Let’s examine each of these areas a little closer and see how the 2022 Escape is making its case to be the king of the compact crossover category.
MSRP: $26,510[a]
Horsepower (hp): 181-250
Fuel Economy (MPG): 30
Cargo Space (cu.ft.): 65.4
Engines
Two Turbocharged Engine Options
The 2022 Escape comes standard with a 1.5-liter turbocharged, three-cylinder engine that still produces an impressive 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque despite its modest size. This isn’t going to win you any drag races, but given the compact crossover’s size, it’s more than enough power for everyday driving. This base engine also provides plenty of fuel efficiency, with the gas-sipping Escape able to achieve fuel economy ratings of up to 30 MPG combined. As if that’s not enough, the SUV features cylinder deactivation and can operate on only two cylinders in certain conditions. You won’t be setting any land speed records, but every time you pass a gas station, you’ll realize that it’s more than a fair trade-off.
Drivers opting for the Escape’s two upper trim levels, SEL and Titanium, will be treated to a 2.0-liter inline-four turbo that comes standard with all-wheel drive. The 2.0-liter engine offers a substantial boost in power, with 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque putting a little get-up-and-go under the hood, allowing the Escape to post a zero-to-60 time of just 5.7 seconds. Drivers who are more concerned with fuel efficiency should probably go with the standard 1.5-liter option (or splash out the extra cash for a hybrid or plug-in hybrid model), but for those seeking a little more excitement on the road, the 2.0-liter engine still offers a respectable 26 MPG combined.
Two Hybrid Options
Then there are the plug-in and hybrid options. Recently a number of automakers have introduced electrified versions of their popular crossovers, and Ford is never one to be left behind. The Escape Hybrid ditches the turbo for a naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine that, when paired with the SUV’s electric motor, can produce a total power output of 200 horsepower. The hybrid uses regenerative braking to top off the battery while the vehicle is decelerating, allowing the Escape to earn an impressive fuel economy rating of 41 MPG combined in front-wheel drive. This barely drops off when opting for the all-wheel drive configuration, with the compact crossover holding strong at 40 MPG combined.
Those seeking the ultimate in efficiency need to look no further than the Escape PHEV, which features a 14.4-kWh battery pack. The battery allows for 37 miles of electric-only driving, which means that, with a little planning, you can potentially do most of your daily driving without ever tapping into the vehicle’s gas reserves. The plug-in hybrid setup gives the Escape an impressive fuel efficiency of 105 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent), which is pretty much untouchable within the compact crossover class.
Style
Modern Styling
The Ford Escape remains largely unchanged for the 2022 model year, which is little surprise given that the latest generation of the popular crossover model only debuted back in 2020. There are a few notable additions to mention on the style side, with Ford adding three new exterior color options for 2022. These are all shades of blue, which, while a little monochromatic, pair well with the Escape’s striking exterior. New color options include Atlas Blue Metallic, Stone Blue Metallic, and Iced Blue Silver Metallic. The latter two options are available at no extra charge, while the Stone Blue Metallicāāeasily the standout of the new color optionsāāis an extra-cost option.
Those who opt for some of the upper-tier trims of the 2022 Ford Escape will be able to enjoy one of the more interesting styling features to hit Ford’s SUV lineup in recent memory, the Panoramic Vista Sunroof. Available on the SE, SEL, and Titanium trims, this immense sunroof stretches over both the front and back rows and is split into two distinct panels. The larger forward panel can either tilt up or open fully, allowing drivers to decide exactly how much they’d like to mess up their hair. The rear skylight is fixed in place but still does a great job of allowing natural light to flood the cabin. This feature, along with the rest of the Escape’s carefully crafted interior, brings a sense of airiness and space into the cabin that allows the SUV to seem far larger than its compact designation would suggest.
Sharp Appearance Options
Drivers looking to kick their style up a notch have no shortage of unique appearance packages to choose from. The SE Sport Appearance Package lends the 2022 Escape an aggressive, almost sinister look with 19-inch machined, Ebony-painted aluminum wheels, black molding on the upper window and beltline, black bumpers, and a high-gloss black grille. Those seeking a similarly blacked-out vibe on the SEL model should look into the SEL Stealth AWD Package.
This package shares many of the exterior upgrades from the SE Sport Appearance package but adds front and rear skid plates, a gloss-black upper grille, and a host of interior tweaks, from Miko suede inserts and red accent stitching to Ford’s proprietary ActiveX seating material. It might be worth the upgrade for the ActiveX seats alone, which are Ford’s innovative alternative to traditional leather seating. The synthetic material is not only easier to clean and maintain than leather but is more durable and made without any animal-based materials. It’s also a more breathable fabric, so if you’re the type of driver who tends to get uncomfortable on long drives in the warmer months, it’s definitely worth looking into.
Technology
Standard Features
Given the base-level Escape’s affordable price, the lack of standard in-cabin tech isn’t that surprising. That’s not to say the Escape in the S trim level is a slouchāāit still has remote start, SYNC Voice Recognition Communications, and Ford’s FordPass Connect. The 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot is another thoughtful standard inclusion for those who’ve got a screen-addicted family to haul around. FordPass Connect doesn’t only give you a Wi-Fi hotspot running off AT&T’s nationwide wireless network; it also includes access to a treasure trove of movies and TV series thanks to the Warner Brothers WarnerMedia RIDE app. The Wi-Fi hotspot itself can be used up to 50-feet away from the vehicle, allowing up to 10 users to connect and seamlessly stream media, music, or whatever else will keep them busy on long trips. Still, those seeking an interior laden with cutting-edge features should probably explore some of the upper trim levels where the Escape truly starts to shine.
Mid-Trim Features
The SE offers a major upgrade on the screen front, with the 4-inch color LCD screen getting an upgrade to an 8-inch touchscreen display. The larger size not only aids in navigation and readability, but the touchscreen means less fiddling around with buttons when you’re behind the wheel for a significant upgrade in terms of both convenience and safety. The display gets a software upgrade as well, with Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment systems offered on Escapes at the SE level and above. SYNC 3 includes a suite of infotainment tech, like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio, giving both drivers and passengers endless entertainment options on the go.
One other noteworthy tech feature on the Escape SEL is Ford’s SecuriCode Invisible Keypad. These sort of exterior, keyless-entry keypads are nothing new but seem to have fallen out of favor with many auto manufacturers for some reason. We have no idea why, as they’re both convenient and unobtrusive, so we appreciate the inclusion here on the 2022 Escape.
Top-Tier Features
For those who demand all the latest bells and whistles, the Escape Titanium is the perfect fit. This top-tier trim comes with all the tech features a driver could ask for, including a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen Play audio system, in-dash voice-activated navigation, and a massive 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Getting from Point A to Point B is easier and more fun than ever with SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link, which in addition to providing accurate, up-to-the-minute traffic data, can display information on everything from weather and fuel prices to movie listings, sports scores, parking and EV charging stations. The Titanium trim also offers an optional heads-up display, bringing a little slice of sci-fi futurism into the cabin.
Future Ford of Sacramento Is Your One-Stop-Shop!
In the market for a new 2022 Ford Escape? The team here at Future Ford of Sacramento is here to answer all your questions. We’ll guide you through every step of the process, helping you to pick out the options, trims, and appearance packages that will make your Escape a one-of-a-kind ride. Of course, we also offer the full lineup of brand-new Ford cars, trucks, and SUVs, so if it turns out that the Escape isn’t your perfect fit, you will still be able to leave with a car that you love. If you’re not in the market for a new Ford vehicle, we also offer a generous selection of used vehicles from some of the best brands in the business, all meeting the same stringent quality standard we apply to every vehicle on the lot. From affordably-priced new vehicles to high-quality service and parts, Future Ford of Sacramento is the region’s one-stop-shop for all things Ford and beyond.