In the past, Consumer Reports (CR) hasn’t recommended the Ford Escape, opting instead to recommend its larger corporate cousin, the Ford Edge. Now, the publication has once again placed the Ford Escape on its list of two- and three-row SUVs to avoid, penalizing the 2022 model year for continued issues observed with the 2020 model.
CR cites a number of reasons for mothballing the 2022 Ford Escape on its list of cars to avoid, including the fact that it doesn’t perform quite to its standards. The publication noted that the “ride itself skews firm, which makes the Escape less comfortable” than offerings from rival automakers.
In addition, there are some complaints regarding the performance of Ford’s 1.5L EcoBoost powerplant, which features a healthy amount of power and returned a solid 26 miles-per-gallon overall, among other attributes that they liked. However, this drive force is stunted by “an annoying vibration at low engine speeds,” Consumer Reports says.
In the handling department, the 2022 Escape is stable and agile but CR finds ride quality to lean towards the subpar due to a “noticeable bump during gear changes.” CR also found the shifting to be middling, as attaining smooth gear changes represents a challenge.
CR scores the Escape with a below-average predicted reliability rating. However, the publication’s data is heavily impacted by survey results collected from subscribers driving the 2020 Escape, which was known for quality issues. By contrast, the 2021 Ford Escape improved greatly over the 2020 model in terms of CR‘s own reliability ratings. Previously named problem spots have seen improvements with the new year, receiving positive feedback for the transmission, drive system, paint/trim, body integrity, body hardware, and in-car electronics.
As such, this latest reliability survey shows that owners of 2021 Escape models experienced substantially improved reliability compared to owners of 2020 models, a potential indicator that The Blue Oval dealt with some first year gremlins, as 2020 represented the first year of production for the fourth generation Escape. Overall, CR recommends that interested shoppers wait for the upcoming 2023 model year refresh before purchasing Ford’s compact crossover utility.
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.
Telling you which states it can't be sold in.
It's a well-used example decommissioned a few years ago.
While one of its chief rivals has grown considerably.
Dropping its offerings to just six colors.
Small and mighty versus over-the-top aggressive.
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this new generation is mediocre and IMO worth $5k-$10k less than the competition, no questions asked...sales numbers show exactly that. I for one swapped my 2017 Escape for a 2022 Mazda CX-50. For me the interior & the amount of cabin vibrations in the 2020 were just too much to bear.
We've had our 2022 PLEG Escape now for a month, and love it. Ordered on January 3rd and picked up on May 5th. Excellent initial quality and very nice ride, not harsh. It's a small SUV, you don't expect or want a mushy Cadillac ride. On a recent road trip to Alabama it got better milage both on the battery and overall than I expected. We are also very pleased with how well the hands free phone connection works. Very clear sound. And the front seats were very
comfortable. The back seat is also comfortable and slides back and forth. Overall very pleased with this selection. Was disappointed with the other PLEG choices. Why does Toyota put all that HP in a small SUV? And Honda and GM don't even have one. Ford was the only one making the perfect match for our lifestyle.
Run it in sport mode
No vibration!
Should have said April 5th.
CR's complaints are focused on the 3 cylinder turbo. They actually rate the Escape hybrid (which is a 4 cylinder with a different transmission) as a much better and smoother automobile. Too bad they lump two very different products together for one final recommendation.
I leased both a 2015 and 2018 SE Sport AWD with Nav. The 19 inch rims rode very nicely. They never went into the shop for anything other than oil changes.
Great quiet highway driver, and it fit mountain bike inside for day trips. I could not accept the new styling, too wimpy looking. Ended up in an F150 Lariat Crew.
Not my favorite Ford, but I don't completely trust CR. They only survey their subscribers. Not exactly scientific.
We ordered a '22 AWD Hybrid Escape Titanium in October, and picked it up in February. As of May it has 5K miles. We have not experienced any of the CR complaints. Mileage is above EPA estimates. 1000 mile trip from sea level to 7,500' netted 37MPG. In-town varies so much it's hard to quantify - 25 to 110MPG, but VERY EASY to achieve mid-30s.
Ford does have the wind noise figured out. No wind noise on any of our 3 Ford vehicles we own, including a '19 Ranger.
Ride and handling is acceptable for what it is and we've owned 2 Porsche 911s and currently own an '18 Focus RS. We don't expect it to handle like those.
If there is a complaint we wish there was a bit more power from the NA engine. We traded a '17 Escape 2.0L AWD and spoiled us somewhat. Also, it takes awhile for the electronics to get their act together when the car is cold (<-10). They are sluggish and slow to respond. Once warmed up they are fine. That doesn't seem right for electrical things.
I was wishing for a larger fuel tank at 14 gallons, but that fear was unfounded. I do wish the hybrid battery was larger however.
The AWD system works as advertised just like our '17 and surprisingly so given the low rolling resistance tires which lack for meaningful traction. Here in the wilds of WY we need it.
Overall the complaints CR notes we have not experienced and are very happy with the purchase.
We absolutely love our ‘22 PHEV Titanium. It’s my favorite car I’ve ever owned. A pleasure to drive and phenomenal gas mileage. We’ve owned two CMaxes, including one plug-in, and it is far superior to those. Better gas mileage than both of those as well, with longer range, and a bigger car. It handles great. Really good car for the price.
Own a 2021 SEL, 2.0L turbo, AWD. Overall avg. mpg is 28! And it will hit 60 mph in 6 secs if in Sport Mode. Have owned it 9 mos. without any issues... big or small. Very fun to drive and IMO rides just fine. Enjoy it as much as the 2017 Escape I traded in on the 21... just a great vehicle!