Used Ford Escape

A black 2019 Ford Escape driving downtown.

The Ford Escape is a compact crossover SUV that has been touted as having a sport-like driving experience, while also managing to be fuel-efficient. Comparisons of the third generation Escapes have been made to more European styling, as the 2013 Escape shares styling influence from the compact crossover Ford Kuga. Ford Escapes have been manufactured since 2001 and have been well-received as vehicles that started the movement toward car-like driving in a segment that was dominated by truck-based SUVs. That said, a used Ford Escape is a great choice of vehicle when buying pre-owned because of its high-quality materials and well-developed design.

In fact, many modern-day vehicle features started with the Ford Escape. For example, optional all-wheel drive with specialized traction control was originally an innovation from Ford when it debuted on the Escape in its first generation. Additionally, the interior of the Escape has always been upscale for the crossover segment, with an abundance of amenities like the original hands-free liftgate, and even the early integration of Sirius XM radio and onboard navigation in upper trims.

Depending on the year, hybrid options of Ford Escapes are available as more fuel-efficient options, even sharing some of the same technology found in the Toyota Prius. Ford was the first company to put a hybrid SUV on the road. In every generation of this vehicle, innovations were incorporated into its design, from the use of recycled materials to utilizing technology others had yet to develop. Again, this makes used Ford Escapes great options as they have high-end, modern features at a lower price point.

Engines Available in Used Ford Escapes

In its third generation, between 2013-2019, the Ford Escape could come equipped with three possible engines. The base trim would come standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which produces 168 hp. Most Escapes would likely come equipped with the 1.6-liter four-cylinder Ecoboost engine, which achieves 178 hp. And a final option for engines is the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, which raises the power level to 240 hp. Unfortunately, for this generation of Escapes, the hybrid option was dropped.

Going back to the second generation, which dated between 2008-2012, the 2.5-liter was just introduced, and it attained up to 171 hp. A 3.0-liter Duratec V6 engine was the other option, which made 240 hp. A hybrid model was available for this generation, and that vehicle also came equipped with a 2.5-liter in-line four engine, though the horsepower increased to 193.

In the first generation of Escapes, between 2001 and 2004, the base engine offering was the 2.0-liter four-cylinder Zetec, which made only 127 hp. This engine was replaced as the base engine in 2005 when the 2.3-liter Duratec engine was made the base engine, leaving the 3.0-liter engine as the only other option aside from the hybrid models equipped with the 2.3-liter four-cylinder. In all, there are many engines available when shopping in the used Escape market, allowing drivers to get exactly the performance they are looking to find.

A red 2017 Ford Escape is driving around a corner next to a lake.

Can the Escape Tow?

Third generation Escapes equipped with the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine are capable of towing up to 3,500 pounds. Dropping down to the more common 1.6-liter engine will offer an allowance of up to 2,000 pounds. Finally, when equipped with the 2.5-liter engine, the rating drops to 1,500 pounds. These ratings are fairly good for four-cylinder engines, though it is worth noting that only the smallest of trailers should be considered for towing with these allowances.

With the second generation, the 3.0-liter engine tows up to 3,500 pounds, while the 2.3-liter engine is rated for towing a maximum of 2,000 pounds. Lastly, only one first-generation engine is rated for towing: the 3.0-liter V6, which has the same rating as the second generation. The other engines are either not rated or not recommended for towing. Few vehicles with four-cylinder engines, like the Ford Escape, are rated for towing, which makes the Escape an exceptional crossover.

A red 2016 used Ford Escape is parked in front of a lake near Cincinnati at sunrise.

Is the Escape Roomy?

Though it’s considered a compact SUV, the Ford Escape actually has a fair amount of space inside. All generations of the Ford Escape will seat five people and accommodate extra cargo space by folding down the rear seats. Each generation shifts the space somewhat inside, changing where the inches are allotted for either passenger space or cargo.

The front legroom of the third generation Escape sits at 40.4 inches, which is plenty of space even for tall adults. Total cargo space available with all the seats folded down is a very large 68.1 cubic feet. For reference, a standard three-person couch is about 50 cubic feet. If you put a couch in the back of the Escape, you have room to spare. With the seats in place, 34.3 cu.ft. are available in the trunk area. That’s double what you find in the average sedan trunk.

Second generation Ford Escapes have more legroom at 41.6 inches, and a smaller cargo capacity of 66.3 cu.ft. The trunk area with seats in place will have 31.4 cubic feet of space. Gaining legroom in the front loses cargo space in the back, but the dimensions are unlikely to be very noticeable by most people. Going back to the first generation will once again gain more legroom at 42.7 inches, yet will hold steady at 66.3 cu.ft. of cargo space with the seats down. With the seats up, the amount of space drops to 29.3 cu.ft., but that’s still nearly double the space available in the average sedan. The Escape, no matter the generation, is a very roomy vehicle.

The Kings Ford logo.

Visit Kings Ford

Are you ready to buy a used Ford Escape? When you shop at Kings Ford, we can help you find the perfect Ford Escape to fit your lifestyle and budget. Whether you want the Titanium model or the base trim, we are confident that we can find a vehicle that will suit your needs. Shopping is convenient with our online tools, or you can visit our dealership to see the vehicles in person and take one out for a test drive. Every vehicle we sell as pre-owned has been inspected and detailed so you will drive home a safe, clean vehicle.

Kings Ford isn’t your average dealership. We provide friendly service that’s efficient and hassle-free so you can come to us and trust you’ll have an enjoyable experience shopping for a vehicle. Our sales staff have the knowledge needed to locate the trim level or model you really want and can offer competitive pricing to make sure you can drive that dream car home. We train our staff with all the most important information right down to minute details about Ford vehicles so they can deliver exactly what you want.

Our finance team and service department are also trained to offer our customers the best deals, the friendliest assistance, and with the utmost efficiency. Your time is important to us, and we want you to drive away as happy as possible. We will do whatever it takes to make sure you find your dream car for a price you can afford. When you come to Kings Ford, we truly know our vehicles, and we stand by our commitment to excellence in everything we do. If you live in the Cincinnati, Ohio region, we are worth a drive. So visit us and have a great experience buying your next vehicle.