In recent months, Consumer Reports has gushed over the Ford Edge, naming it one of the most reliable mid-size crossovers on the market and one of the best and most affordable used vehicles for teenagers, a top SUV available for less than $40,000, one of the best mid-size crossovers with standard safety features for under $35k, and a top 10 best SUV on sale today. However, CR members haven't shown the same appreciation for the Ford EcoSport, while the consumer organization itself recently placed the 2021 Ford Explorer on its list of two- and three-row SUVs to avoid. Now, Consumer Reports is also recommending that shoppers avoid the 2021 Ford Escape, too.
CR put the 2021 Ford Escape on its list of popular cars to avoid list as a vehicle that sells well but doesn't score near the top of the organization's own rankings. It cites a number of reasons for placing the Escape on this not so prestigious list, including the fact that it "lacks the fundamentals to compete with the best small SUVs."
Some of those complaints boil down to the performance of Ford's 1.5L EcoBoost powerplant, which has plenty of power and returned a good 26 miles-per-gallon overall but is plagued by "an annoying vibration at low engine speeds," according to Consumer Reports.
In the handling department, the 2021 Escape is "nimble and secure," but CR finds ride quality to be a bit subpar thanks to an "underlying firmness." Braking is apparently a chore, as the pedal is a bit sensitive to input, making smooth stops a challenge.
On the inside, Consumer Reports notes that the 2021 Escape's controls are easy to use and that the rear seat is roomy when it's pushed all the way back. However, it found the front seats to be a bit flat and uncomfortable. Throw in the Escape's below-average predicted reliability, and it's clear that CR isn't a fan of the popular crossover, even though quite a few consumers are.
We'll have more on the Escape soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Escape news and continuous Ford news coverage.
Leases available naitionwide on best-selling three-row crossover.
Putting The Blue Oval in serious contention for the win.
The same part present in certain models from the factory.
The elimination of the tax credit won't help.
After it was purchased in pieces.
With minor updates and a brand new powerplant.
View Comments
1.5 litre? That's comical. Probably be junk before it gets 100,000 miles on it.
You do realize that cars are far more reliable than any definition of "the good old days." A honking big block V8 from the 60s-80s can't touch a modern engine for reliability.
Turbocharged to 181 hp, and does 0-60 in just over 7 seconds.
Had mine for about a year now. It's a dang strong little motor. Super flat torque curve. I live in a fairly hilly area and it will pull along quite happily at less than 2000 rpms or just as happily run 5000 plus. If I keep my foot out of it it's no problem to get 33-35mpg. I'm impressed with it for 91 cubic inches
I have a 2020 escape with 1.5 motor. The only time it lags a little is whe u have it put in eco and then it's when you almost stop before u get up and go, as for the ride this sits and rides alot better than a hrv and alot of other same sized vehicles, I drove alot of them before I chose my escape which I love.
I have a new bronco sport. I am in love with it and 5000 miles and no issues. CR trashed it. They should of tested my badlands. CR is so critical of American cars and loves anything across the pond. I had a 18 crv and tons of issues. CR kisses and loves on Honda. That is why after 20 years with CR I am not renewing.
I haven't paid much attention to CR for about 30 years now, I always wondered who was getting paid off to print such wheel spin smoke.
We have a '21 Bronco Sport as well with 35k miles so far and love it. CR doesn't know what they are talking about.
So is it just the 3 cylinder? Cause I’ve heard the 4 cylinder is pretty good and the hybrid is one of the best in the industry
Hi, I own a 2020 Escape SE Sport Hybrid.
Have driven it about 11k miles. Wife and I love it. No problems. Fantastic mpg.
Are you familiar with the Consumer Reports video show on YouTube—Talking Cars?
The hosts of the show called the hybrid model “the Escape done right.”
I have a 2021 Hybrid Titanium, and I get great mileage efficiency AVG 43 MPG. Everything was great until last week the timing chains broke. It will cost me 1800 to fix it. I asked my mechanic, reputable, what could I have done to prevent this from happening. His words: it is a faulty design, customers are complaining. My car is like new, I take excellent care of it, dealer services, and now... it is not even 3 years old and it needs a big ticket price repair. My advise: get an extended warranty or sell it before it gets to 60k miles.
Consumer Reports has a long history of trashing Detroit while overrating everything foreign. Their "predicted reliability" ranking is not based on reliability testing, but usually marketing surveys. I spent 42 years in automotive quality.
I can agree with CR about the front seats but everything else makes my '21 Escape PHEV the most relaxing car that I have ever had.
I own a 2018ford escape with 1.5 eco boost and I love it, my family all have as well and have been excelllent
David, my brother has an escape with 100,000 miles, never have had problems, I take care of my cars and drive right, makes difference in any car
I agree to most of the replies.
In recent years. CR's car reviews have shrunk down to several paragraphs. I find their ratings to be somewhat arbitrary and confusing at times. I think their reliability rating are based on only those readers that actually return their surveys. People tend to be more inclined to return these surveys when they have a problem. When purchasing a car. I rely on other car publications that do a much more thorough job with their car reviews than CR.
I really liked my 2017, until the paint peeled on the drivers side of the windshield and starting to peel on passenger side. Of course I was past my 3/36 warranty. Ford won’t do anything except charge me to paint it. I checked on the internet for any complaints…hundreds on 2017 paint peeling on each side of windshield. So I say, something was wrong with the paint in 2017. If I trade in, I will be penalized for the peeling paint, that is Fords fault. They should be recalled.