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My 2020 Escape SE First Impression


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While my explorer is at the dealership getting fixed, I was given a 2020 Ford Escape SE as a loaner vehicle. Today was my first day with the vehicle. 
 

Exterior - nothing stands out about the exterior. This vehicle seems to blend in more than most vehicles, especially in the magnetic color. The front still hasn’t grown on me. It looks dated, like it should have come out in 2013 with the fusion redesign. My biggest complaint is the wheels. It came with the 17” wheels which look very basic, almost to the detriment of the vehicle. Better wheels would definitely make this vehicle look better. Also they look really small and don’t fill the wheel wells very well.
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Interior - just like the exterior, there is nothing special about the interior. It’s the details that make or break an interior, and for the escape, the details were lacking. The first thing I noticed was how cheap the gauge cluster looked (it came with the analog gauges, not the digital screen). its just one piece of flat plastic for all the gauges.theres nothing separating the different gauges from each other.

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I think the previous gen gauge cluster looks more upscale with each gauge having its own section and chrome trim. 

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Many people don’t like the tablet style screen but I don’t mind it and I actually like it’s implementation here. It’s higher up so it’s easier to see and it’s much closer to the driver than the previous escape so it’s easier to reach. everything below the screen needs some work though. The design just doesn’t flow very well. Where the center console and dash meet seems especially cheap.

 

I was excited to test out the rear seat legroom since such a big deal was made about it. I adjusted the front seat to where I would sit, and then got in the back seat to see how much room I had. I’m 6’1”, and with the back seat all the way back, my knees were still touching the front seat. The back of the front seats are concave so there is extra room for your knees. If my knees were touching each other, they would fit in that area without touching the front seat, but that’s just not a comfortable way to sit. I’m not sure how they fit all those basketball players back there when they first showed the escape. They must have had some really short people sitting in the front. It is more legroom than the previous model. If I had to guess, I’d say it had slightly more room in the back than a fusion.


Drive and Handling - this escape came with the 1.5L 3 cylinder engine. The first thing I noticed when I started driving  the car was how loud it was, and not in a good way. The engine sound fills the cabin under normal acceleration and gets really loud if you step on it. It feels like there is zero sound deadening material on this car.
 

I was actually surprised by the performance of the engine though. I expected it’d be a dog, but the acceleration was decent. I never got it over 55 so I can’t say how it doesn’t at highway speeds. 
 

ride height is pretty low. It feels much lower than the previous gen escape, but still slightly higher than a car. If I had to guess, maybe it’s about the same as a Subaru? The lower ride height does seem to help handling though. It felt more nimble than my current escape.

 

Final Verdict - I didn’t like the exterior design beforehand, but I had hoped the rest of the package would redeem the escape. While I liked a few things, unfortunately the negatives outweighed the positives. The MSRP for this vehicle was around 29k. I wouldn’t even consider it at that price (who pays MSRP though) Honestly, it feels like ford kinda cheapened out on this car. $23-24k seems like where this vehicle should be priced in the SE trim.

 

 

 

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Forgot to add a few things. The transmission did not like to downshift. Maybe it does this to get the best gas mileage as possible, maybe it’s still learning (the car on gas 800 miles on it). Regardless, staying in a low gear caused lots of vibration in the car. 
 

When I picked the car up, it said it’s been averaging 26.9 mpg. I’ll try to remember to reset it and see what kind of mpg I get.

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The Escape is a little low on appeal with its anonymous car-like styling and conspicuously inexpensive interior.  But I kinda like the simplicity and utility of the Escape, it's well designed and engineered to maximize utility and economy.  But it's hard to escape that this is the appliance car, the one car to fill a ton of customers as cheaply as possible.  The SE is obviously not a great exemplar.  

 

I don't love what I'm hearing about the 1.5L from most reviewers, those Ford 3-Cylinder have never really won over many American customers.  The 2.0L however is dynamite, coupled with that platform which is more dynamic than most.  And then there is the Hybrid with AWD which is pretty stellar.

 

The Escape does have a nicer instrument panel available, along with the only Ford NA vehicle to get a HUD.  

 

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I do think it's a shame the Escape has essentially turned into something that is clearly not the SUV-imaged car it began life as. I can't help but think the Escape's brand equity is on thin ice.  

 

Edited by Assimilator
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1 hour ago, fuzzymoomoo said:

Christ, that gauge cluster looks like something straight out of the '98 Escort I used to have. That's not a good thing for a $29k vehicle. 


I think the SE cluster being flat is a sacrificial lamb for the full LED screen cluster on the higher trims (like the one pictured in Assimilator’s post above). Having complex shapes for the traditional gauges would make the need for a different binnacle for the LED screen. 

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11 minutes ago, Anthony said:


I think the SE cluster being flat is a sacrificial lamb for the full LED screen cluster on the higher trims (like the one pictured in Assimilator’s post above). Having complex shapes for the traditional gauges would make the need for a different binnacle for the LED screen. 

 

Not saying it needs to be like the old one but that whole thing is installed as one assembly, just like the LED screen. It's really not too much to ask for there to at least be some textures behind the plastic screen. 

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10 minutes ago, Anthony said:


I think the SE cluster being flat is a sacrificial lamb for the full LED screen cluster on the higher trims (like the one pictured in Assimilator’s post above). Having complex shapes for the traditional gauges would make the need for a different binnacle for the LED screen. 

Makes sense.  But then again, the SE cluster still looks cheap and as Fuzzy described.  It looks like it belongs in an entry level Nissan Versa.  Although without looking, I’m sure the Versa cluster looks more premium.  

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1 minute ago, fuzzymoomoo said:

 

Not saying it needs to be like the old one but that whole thing is installed as one assembly, just like the LED screen. It's really not too much to ask for there to at least be some textures behind the plastic screen. 


Or just put the digital screen in all models and call it a day lol.

Edited by T-dubz
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Speaking of digital screens.  Ford has never been a leader in this space.  Seems they have been using the same center stack displays since what, 2010?  The center display and display frame (trim) looks and feels cheap on most new Fords (excluding the redesigned tablet styles in the new Explorer, etc).  

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5 hours ago, probowler said:

Good review, the wheels are fine though. Go too big and you kill ride quality, no Bueno. 

 

I'm amazed by the devolution of the Guage cluster however! That is a little shocking honestly 

Agreed...that looks pathetic...i actually think exterior styling looks better than previous gen....interiors are crushing ford on the lower end models across the board....ford looks to have tossed in the towel on the entire affordable car/suv range.....it appears current thought is to cut corners on anything and everything under 35k..i am still of opinion ford needs to put lariet buckets in a single cab f150xl -f350 and call it a poor mans sport package with a little bling..i would buy one...dont need all that extra crap 

Edited by snooter
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On 12/27/2019 at 5:54 PM, Anthony said:


I think the SE cluster being flat is a sacrificial lamb for the full LED screen cluster on the higher trims (like the one pictured in Assimilator’s post above). Having complex shapes for the traditional gauges would make the need for a different binnacle for the LED screen. 

They could have just used a similar design to what comes on the Ranger XLT. It’s all one level but has a little added design and chrome. It looks much nicer. The Escape’s cluster looks like something they might put in a school bus. Probably shouldn’t complain though, by next year they’ll probably “decontent it down” to just a speedo and fuel gauge. ?

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Edited by 2005Explorer
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I haven't had time to drive the new 2020 Escape but find the new model to be a welcome update and change to the recent model. The exterior smacks of Porsche influence which isn't bad and gives the new Escape an obvious new look compared to the previous generation. While others may discount the look and/or quality of the interior changes, it's a fresh and new approach. I expect that the new model will be well received once the 2019MY inventory is sold down and incentives on the 2020MY Escapes are improved. 

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That could be something to save money that Hacket can cut costs on.  No need for a plebian 80's poverty level instrument gauge, just get the high grade one and install it across the board. Imagine the time saved on not having to design that cheapo version. How many instrument gauge clusters does the F150 have at this point? 4-5 ?

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1 hour ago, ANTAUS said:

That could be something to save money that Hacket can cut costs on.  No need for a plebian 80's poverty level instrument gauge, just get the high grade one and install it across the board. Imagine the time saved on not having to design that cheapo version. How many instrument gauge clusters does the F150 have at this point? 4-5 ?

 

Not to mention you don't go cheap on something that the customer is looking at all the time.  

 

This is what happens when you split a program into two vehicles rather than just building one to do everything.  

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30 minutes ago, sho94_2000 said:

This is what happens when you split a program into two vehicles rather than just building one to do everything.  

 

Not at all. It's purely the result of cost cutting everything to death. 

 

Also, no program was ever "split" into two vehicles. They’re just trying to cover a broader spectrum of the segment with 2 different vehicles that happen to share a platform, something that is very common across the entire industry. 

Edited by fuzzymoomoo
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2 hours ago, ANTAUS said:

That could be something to save money that Hacket can cut costs on.  No need for a plebian 80's poverty level instrument gauge, just get the high grade one and install it across the board. Imagine the time saved on not having to design that cheapo version. How many instrument gauge clusters does the F150 have at this point? 4-5 ?

I’m guessing that cheapo version is quite a few bucks cheaper per vehicle then the full LCD panel. It’s still no excuse for not adding a few design elements to the analog gauges to make them look nice. In the case of the Ranger I actually like the XLT dual dial with center screen more then the dual LCD display one in the Lariat. I understand trying to make stuff look horrible in hopes customers will move up to the next trim level, but when other companies are giving customers nicer looking things at lower priced trim levels who’s to say you won’t just lose them to the competition. I know there are some on this board that think Ford is a luxury brand that can command much higher prices then mainstream brands, but it’s not. It’s just becoming an overpriced mainstream brand with noticeable cost cutting like these cheapo analog gauges showing up. The new Escape is ok, but the details are missing for the premium price they are asking.

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I don't know how common this is, but one of the things that has always perplexed me was the cheapness of the interior door handles of Ford's cheaper cars, especially the Escape.  The 2013-2019 Escape wasn't particularly budget looking at all, especially compared to the tupper-ware interior of the old Escape, but the interior door handles are terrible.  Small, thin, with a crunchy feel to the way they operate.  Every time I got into one of those cars, it was always that terrible door handle that reminded me I was in a budget car.  I don't know why this important touch-point is handled soo consistently badly. The new Escape is slightly better.

 

What I would be looking for in the new 2020 Escape is a more settled ride and something less twitchy and course.  The Escape handles beautifully and it's a nice riding car on perfect pavement.  But around uneven pavement, it always felt way too thin and fragile, especially for the price.  I would much rather have a cheaper Edge over a loaded Escape, the quality is night and day.

 

The 2020 Escape overall definitely looks like the least expensive vehicle in its segment, the design is so minimal. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by Assimilator
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57 minutes ago, fuzzymoomoo said:

 

Not at all. It's purely the result of cost cutting everything to death. 

 

Also, no program was ever "split" into two vehicles. They’re just trying to cover a broader spectrum of the segment with 2 different vehicles that happen to share a platform, something that is very common across the entire industry. 

 

Perhaps my comment was a little uncharitable but I don't see how fracturing the Escape market is beneficial at all.  Ford is fully capable of building one vehicle that would cover the same spectrum of buyers as the two.  This is the same company that justified dumping the Ranger back in 2012 by saying that people will just buy the Focus and Fiesta.  Yes there may be people on either end of the bell curve that may purchase something else but the end result (sales/profitability) would be nearly the same.  

 

Jeep does this very well with the Cherokee.  You can get fairly pedestrian Cherokees that have good road manners and ride quality while some models (Trailhawk) have very good off road ability and fit that "lifestyle" niche that Ford is after with the Bronco.  

 

The cost cutting thing is very disappointing though.  Coming off the numerous recalls over the past couple years, and the complete mismanagement of the DPS6 , and now the major Explorer and Aviator quality issues, the last thing Ford should be doing is cost cutting.  Maintaining a profitable program is imperative but sacrificing quality to maintain a profit margin percentage is silly.  

 

Idk it's just frustrating.  I don't have an MBA but in my experience, those that do have no business running a company.

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I'm glad to finally see a fairly thorough review of the 3-cylinder.  Ironically, my February issue of Consumer Reports arrived yesterday with a test of the SE in it.  It did not fare well.  Ranked just above dead last in the compact CUV category.  Didn't like the 3-cylinder at all.  Ford's website now has the '20 Escape brochure for download and, no shock to me at all, it doesn't mention "3 cylinder" anywhere in it.  Trying to pull a fast one, eh, Ford?  Must be embarrassed.

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