2022 Ford Escape

2022 Ford Escape smooth highway drivability and car-like ride and handling can still serve road-oriented drivers. Unlike the Bronco Sport, the Escape is available with hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, although the base Turbo 3 and upgraded Turbo 4 engines are still offered here. The Escape offers plenty of passenger and cargo space inside, but its cabin isn't as refined as rivals like the Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-5, and Volkswagen Tiguan.

Engine

The 2022 Escape offers a wide choice of powertrains, starting with a 181hp 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, available with front- or all-wheel drive. The Turbo Three, while somewhat dour and unrefined, offers reasonable acceleration and managed to motivate an all-wheel-drive Escape SE to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds on our test track; the plug-in hybrid model matched this result. Upgrading to the 2.0-litre, 250hp, turbocharged four-cylinder engine is the compelling choice, and it was powerful enough to post a 5.7-second finish in the same 0-60 test. Both petrol engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Battery

The plug-in hybrid model has an 11.2-kWh battery that's good enough for an EPA-estimated 37-mile electric-only trip. During our freeway fuel economy test, we managed 25 freeway miles before the battery died and the Escape switched to petrol.

Comfort

While elegantly designed and spacious for both front and rear seat occupants, the Escape's cabin has several inexpensive plastic trims, including those on the doors and lower center console. Heavily textured cloth seat bolsters are standard, while higher trim levels get convincing leatherette seating surfaces or real leather on the premium titanium. Behind the Escape's rear seat is a roomy cargo area that can fit up to eight carry-on bags, to match its city rival, the Chevrolet Equinox. We fit 21 bags with the Escape's rear seats folded, but the Equinox had two more.