2013 Ford Escape SE SUV

The Escape has been extensively redesigned. In place of the previous V-6 and hybrid powertrains are fuel-efficient EcoBoost four-cylinders. New features include a hands-free power liftgate, a panoramic sunroof, and a new four-wheel-drive system. The Escape is quieter, thanks to foam baffles in the pillars and front fenders, upgraded chassis components, and improved seals for the doors and windows.

Since it was introduced more than a decade ago, the Escape has been one of Ford’s best-selling vehicles. In fact, in 2011 the Escape was the best-selling sport-utility/crossover vehicle in the United States. More Escapes were sold that year than all BMWs combined, and the Escape also outsold the popular Honda Accord and Civic. So when Ford decided to build an all-new Escape, it knew that it had to be good. The all-new 2013 Escape went on sale last spring, and it delivers in pretty much every respect. The clean-sheet design leaves the boxy old Escape behind, with a more streamlined look, a wider grille, and narrower headlights. The base engine is a normally aspirated 168-hp, 2.5-liter four. Two EcoBoost four-cylinders are optional: the 173-hp 1.6-liter unit sounds great at high revs and delivers strong linear power, and the 231-hp 2.0-liter provides instantaneous thrust. All three engines are paired with a six-speed automatic that has a manual mode but no paddle shifters. The Escape’s power steering is quick and responsive, and the ride is taut but not rough. The interior is filled with nicely designed soft-touch materials, but the center stack intrudes on the driver’s leg space. All in all, the new Escape, awash with clever technologies and attractive new packaging, promises to build on the previous model’s success.