2020 Ford Escape Makes Its Debut With A Complete Redesign, a 3-cylinder Engine, a Hybrid AND a PHEV

Today, Ford Took The Wraps Off Its (Finally) Re-Designed Compact Crossover

You can’t get a Focus anymore in North America, but the All-New Escape looks like a better replacement vehicle for those not wanting or needing a large vehicle. Riding on the company’s new global platform that debuted on the redesigned European 2019 Ford Focus, this will be the first vehicle sold in North America using this platform.

The engine choices are: (base) 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder, a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, a hybrid, and most intriguing for us – a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). AWD will be available on all versions of the Escape except the PHEV L

Hybrid

Having dropped the Hybrid on the previous generation, its good see its return
Both the Escape Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid will use a refreshed 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine that runs on the Atkinson cycle
The Hybrid powertrain produces 198 hp and 153 lb/ft of torque

PHEV

The official “target” for the PHEV in electric mode is at least 48 kilometres (30+miles)
The PHEV uses a 14.4 kWh battery pack that sits under the rear seats
The Plug-In Hybrid improves on the Hybrid’s horsepower numbers with a system-combined 209 but with the same 153 torque rating
Towing is rated for a maximum of 1,500 pounds

Battery

Ford says the battery will reach a full charge on a Level 2 charger in about 3.5 hours
Unlike some plug-ins that force you to use the EV power immediately, Ford has four modes you can select from:
“Auto EV” – lets the car decide.
“EV Now” – forces the powertrain to use electric power exclusively
“EV Later” – switches it to full gas power motoring
“EV Charge” – allows you to charge the battery while driving
Towing is rated for a maximum of 1,500 pounds

Regular Engines

Ford updated both of its gas-only EcoBoost engine options for the Escape

If you have a need-for-speed, the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder is the one that’ll interest you.
Rated at 250 hp and 275 lb/ft of torque (using premium fuel), it’s mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission that Ford says is similar to the one found in the Edge
Towing is rated for a maximum of 3,500 pounds
The 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder features cylinder deactivation, which allows the engine to shut down one of the cylinders when it isn’t necessary. Ford claims a 6% boost in efficiency from this. The three-cylinder is also mated to the same eight-speed automatic transmission that’s in the 2.0L
Towing is rated for a maximum of 2,000 pounds

Interior

In addition to the All-New design, the 2020 Escape is lower, wider and longer than the outgoing model. Like the platform it rides on, the Escape has essentially the same interior as the 2019 Euro-spec Focus

A nice feature is the sliding (fore and aft 6 inches) and reclining second-row seat that lets you choose between maximizing legroom or cargo room.
Switching to a rotary gear shifter frees up a lot of wasted space and gives you lots of storage compartments for the driver and front passenger
Beside the shifter is a new ‘mode’ selector button that allows you to toggle the transmission between Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery and Snow/Sand configurations
The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster from the Explorer will be available optionally
The 8-inch infotainment screen gets a re-skinned Sync 3 for SE models and up, enabling Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Ford also plans to offer its first HUD in the Escape on the Titanium trim level

Safety

The Ford Co-Pilot 360 suite of safety features is made standard for every trim level
It includes some features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist
Adaptive cruise control and actual lane-centering are available as extra-cost options