2021 Ford Escape

The Escape S is the entry-level trim. It comes with 17-inch steel wheels, or you can bump up to the SE for alloy wheels, keyless entry, and lots of options. The SEL is up next and adds 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, roof rails, and a hands-free liftgate, and the Titanium has 19-inch wheels, LED fog lights, and the option for a panoramic sunroof, chrome exterior trim elements, and the tow package. The hybrid SE Sport is the entry-level hybrid model, and you can also get the SEL Hybrid.

Power for the Escape starts with a 1.5-liter three-cylinder EcoBoost gas engine with 181 horsepower. An optional 2.0-liter four-cylinder will deliver 250 horsepower, and the hybrid powertrain with its electric motor and 2.5-liter gas engine puts out 200 horsepower. Ford added a new plug-in hybrid PHEV to the lineup that also gets 200 horsepower.

With so many powertrains available, you can get what you need and want from the Escape. The gas engines both use an eight-speed automatic transmission with the base 1.5-liter offering both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Choose the 2.0-liter turbo, and it comes only with all-wheel drive. The hybrid is efficient and fun to drive with lots of pep, and the gas powertrains have plenty of power.

There's room for five in the Escape with sliding rear seats that allow you to make more legroom or increase the cargo area. Cloth upholstery comes standard, along with bucket seats in the front. Step up to the SE for a power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front seats, or to the SEL for simulated leather upholstery, sport front bucket seats, and a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Titanium adds a power-adjustable passenger seat and offers the option for genuine leather upholstery. The entry-level S comes with a 4.2-inch display screen, a six-speaker stereo, and a Wi-Fi hot spot. Just one step up to the SE gets you an eight-inch touch screen, satellite radio, extra USB ports in the back seat, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Every Escape comes with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced driver aids. Some of the key systems in this group include forward collision warning, automatic braking, a blind-spot monitor, lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. The SE and SEL offer the option for Co-Pilot360 Assist + with adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist, and the SEL adds front and rear parking sensors. Bumping up to the Titanium gets you an automated parking system for parallel and perpendicular parking spots, and you can also get a head-up display.