SUMMARY
The 2022 Ford Escape is the option for those drivers who want a simple SUV that’s just fit enough for the job. It has a fuel efficiency range about on-par with new vehicles these days and has performance that just about meets up with that of the competition. Although the base S model is quite basic, things quickly change as you upgrade to higher trim levels with additional features. This 2022 Ford Escape review will look into the specs and features that make this compact SUV just about right for any urban driver.
LATEST
In terms of feature and performance, the 2022 Ford Escape is just about the same as the previous year’s model. However, we do note that the roster of 2022 Ford Escape colors has been expanded to include three new blue colors: Atlas Blue, Flight Blue, and Iced Blue.
ESTIMATED PRICE
For the traditional models, the 2022 Ford Escape price varies among the 4 available trim levels. The base S is quite stripped-down for our liking as it lacks many of the useful features available on the SE and higher. The Titanium, being the premium model of the Escape, comes with an enhanced powertrain option that’s unique to it alongside other features. Below is our table detailing the starting MSRPs of the 2022 Ford Escape. Take note we’ve excluded the Plug-in Hybrids and Hybrid versions for this review:
| Trim (Drivetrain) | MSRP* |
| 2022 Ford Escape S | $26,510* |
| 2022 Ford Escape SE | $27,845* |
| 2022 Ford Escape SEL | $30,220* |
| 2022 Ford Escape Titanium | $36,630* |
Those looking for easier ways to pay for the Escape should look into Ford’s leasing program. On their official site, the 2022 Ford Escape lease price is shown alongside other potential financing options. Make sure to check there and with your preferred car dealer for any deals you might be able to use in your local area.
MACHINE PERFORMANCE
The 2022 Ford Escape specs sheet details the two powertrain options available to the traditional models of this compact SUV. First off is the 1.5-Liter 3-Cylinder EcoBoost engine that’s available from the base S to the mid-tier SEL. It’s capable of producing 181 horsepower and a torque output of 190 pounds-feet. The next powertrain option is the 2.0-Liter 4-Cylinder EcoBoost that’s only available to the SEL and Titanium models. This produces around 250 horsepower and 280 pounds-feet of torque. The S to SEL all come with an 8-speed AT transmission and options for either an FWD setup or the Intelligent AWD setup which dynamically adapts the drivetrain according to road conditions. This AWD system comes standard to the Titanium model.
FUEL EFFICIENT & ACTUAL MPG
With the MPG ratings of the 3 different engine-drivetrain combos available to the Ford Escape released, we can look into the fuel efficiency of all these models. Already we can see that the 1.5-Liter FWD model is the most economical of the three, having an MPG/Combined rating of 30. The Titanium’s 2.0-Liter powertrain gives more performance at the cost of fuel efficiency with its lower 26 MPG/Combined rating. Either way, all models seem to be about on-par with the usual fuel costs of new vehicles these days. Below is our table detailing the MPG ratings of the 2022 Ford Escape:
| Trim Mileage Estimates | City/mpg | Highway/mpg | Combined/mpg |
| 2022 Ford Escape 1.5-Liter 3-Cylinder FWD | 28 | 34 | 30 |
| 2022 Ford Escape 1.5-Liter 3-Cylinder AWD | 26 | 31 | 28 |
| 2022 Ford Escape 2.0-Liter 4-Cylinder AWD | 22 | 31 | 26 |
INTERIOR, SOLACE & BAGGAGE
We’re impressed with how the 2022 Ford Escape interior turned out as it looks stylish yet roomy enough – A marriage between form and function. Other than some plastic panels that look a bit subpar, we feel that the materials used across the cabin are quite sufficient enough. For passenger capacity, the Ford Escape comes with 5-passenger seating and about 104 cubic feet of passenger space available. The seats come with cloth upholstery on the base S and SE while the SEL and Titanium come with seats covered with ActiveX leather material as standard. Leather-trimmed seating is only available on the Titanium model. Cargo capacity stands at 65.4 cubic feet from behind the 1st row and 37.5 cubic feet from behind the 2nd row. This is good enough for a couple of decently sized bags, cases, or anything you might need for a prolonged vacation away from the city.
TECHNOLOGY
When it comes to tech features and infotainment, the 2022 Ford Escape has some good options to work with on the higher-end models. The base model, however, is stuck with only a standard AM/FM radio and a 4.2-inch display as the one entertainment option. Starting from the SE, all models get an 8.0-inch touchscreen instead that comes with the SYNC 3 infotainment suite. Ford fans should be familiar by now with the company’s infotainment interface, SYNC 3. Over the past few reviews, we’ve given some good remarks on the system and that continues with the Ford Escape. Some connectivity options include Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, allowing for hands-free streaming of media or operation of your phone’s apps. There are also built-in integrations with Amazon’s Alexa through SYNC Applink for online shopping and other activities.
SAFETY
The 2022 Ford Escape scored a full 5-star rating from the NHTSA for overall safety which proves the effectiveness of Ford’s safety suite. As always with Ford, the CoPilot 360 safety package is present and comes standard on all models of the Escape. Some standard features include a Pre-Collision Assist, Automatic Emergency Braking Systems, an Adaptive Cruise Control feature, Lane-Keeping Assist, and even an Assistive Steering and Parking feature. There’s also Ford’s SOS Post-Crash Alert System, a feature that helps in the event of road accidents. The Safety Canopy System ensures that rollovers and car impacts are mitigated as much as possible, supplemented by a set of strategically positioned airbags.
WARRANTY
Ford offers a standard warranty plan that’s on-par with that of the Escape’s rivals in the Compact SUV market. Their limited warranty spans for 3 years or the first 36,000 miles driven, whichever comes first. Their powertrain warranty lasts for 5 years with a mileage limit of 60,000 miles. Although there’s no plan set in place for complimentary scheduled maintenance, we do note that they offer warranty coverage for Hybrid Components which lasts for 8 years or the first 100,000 miles driven.