2021 Ford Escape

The entry-level Escape S has 17-inch steel wheels, but just a step up to the SE gets you 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, and heated side door mirrors. The SE Sport is a hybrid model that comes with active noise cancellation, and the SEL adds 18-inch wheels, a hands-free liftgate, fog lights, and dual exhaust tips. At the top of the lineup, the 2021 Titanium has 19-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, acoustic glass for the windshield, and the option for a panoramic sunroof.

The standard engine for the Escape is a 1.5-liter EcoBoost three-cylinder gas engine with 181 horsepower. A 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder is an available option and will get you 250 horsepower. Both EcoBoost engines work with Ford's eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid powertrain uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine and an electric motor to generate a total of 200 horsepower. You can also choose a plug-in hybrid version on all models except the SE Sport.

Even the smallest engine has plenty of power to get the Escape efficiently up to speed. The 2.0-liter will get to 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds and provides excellent passing ability. Ford offers all-wheel drive on all of the Escape trims for better traction on slippery roads.

The 2021 Escape has two rows of seats and room for five. Both rows have comfortable seats with lots of support for long rides. The roomy cabin has a good mix of soft-touch surfaces and high-quality materials. Moving up through the trim levels adds features such as a leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel, leather seat trim, and power-adjustable front seats. The Titanium has leather upholstery, and it adds dual-zone automatic climate control. The base Escape has a 4.2-inch display screen, the SYNC infotainment system, a USB port, and a six-speaker stereo. The SE adds an 8-inch touch screen, the SYNC 3 infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa, and it has satellite radio. A 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo system is an added feature in the Titanium, which also gets a 110-volt power outlet, and the SE Sport has a 12.3-inch configurable instrument panel.

All of the 2021 Escape trims come standard with a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, curve control, rear cross-traffic alert, a drowsy driver monitor, lane-departure warning, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, and pedestrian detection. All models also have an emergency braking system. The Titanium adds adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, a lane-centering assist system, and a parallel and perpendicular parking assist system, and it also adds the option for a head-up display.