2018 Ford Escape review

1. Plenty of cargo room

Whether you're hauling big items for work or just making a huge grocery run, the 2018 Ford Escape has the space you need for all your tasks. Seating five adults comfortably, the Escape offers 34.3 cu-ft of room behind the second row for everyone's bags. Set the rear seats down and that figure jumps to 67.8 cu-ft. That's enough space for moving a friend's furniture or hauling camping gear on an adventure weekend.

2. Comfortable ride

The 2018 Ford Escape is a compact SUV that drives like a car, with nimble handling for navigating tight streets and parking spots. The highway feel is equally impressive, as bumps and cracks in the road are absorbed and the cabin stays quiet and composed. The plush seats deliver all-day driving comfort for the longest road trips and feature available heating. Despite the soft and easygoing ride, the handling is responsive, making cruising backcountry roads or commuting on urban highways a breeze.

3. Powerful engine options

The 2018 Ford Escape delivers surprising acceleration around town or on the highway, thanks to a range of powerful engine options. The base S trim has a 168-hp 2.5L four-cylinder engine, while higher trims have a turbocharged 1.5L engine with 179 hp and much more torque at lower engine RPM. Look for the turbocharged 2.0L EcoBoost^® four-cylinder engine for 245 hp and sports-car-like acceleration. All engine options are paired with a quick-shifting six-speed automatic transmission for maximum passing power.

4. Luxurious Titanium trim

If you appreciate the finer touches, you'll love the 2018 Ford Escape Titanium trim. The exterior boasts additional chrome trim details and larger 18-inch wheels, but it's the inside that really counts. Check out the leather seats and shifter, push-button start, heated mirrors with blind-spot detection, and heated 10-way power driver's and passenger's seats. The power liftgate has foot activation, the leather steering wheel is heated, and you can use voice activation to control the 10-speaker Sony^® audio system.

5. AWD confidence

When you have to drive in inclement weather, an intelligent all-wheel-drive (AWD) system can make a world of difference. The 2018 Ford Escape is available in FWD or AWD with either the 1.5L or 2.0L EcoBoost engines (AWD is not available on the S trim). The always-ready electronic AWD system sends power to the wheels with grip, powering through slush, snow, sand, and gravel, or even just enhancing cornering on dry streets. All of this makes the 2018 Ford Escape a great do-everything vehicle.