The 2013 Ford Escape (all photos by Dan Heyman)
The Ford Escape is one of Canada’s most popular vehicles, having sold 300,000 examples over two generations since the model’s release for the 2001 model year. According to Ford, 250,000 of these are still in operation today.
In that light, ever since the Vertrek concept broke cover at last year’s Los Angeles Auto Show under the auspices of being an early build of the next Escape, the rumours have swirled around the new vehicle even though no one had seen what it was actually going to look like—until this year’s LA show.
The new Escape was finally revealed to the world amongst baited breath from the numerous journalists on hand, and—on the surface at least—it’s a vast departure from the outgoing model.
Gone is the tried, tested and true two-box shape that has been the Escape’s silhouette since its inception, replaced by a slipperier, rounder, more aggressive and altogether much more modern shape that differs little from the Vertrek and European-market Kuga and whose goal it is to reduce drag and save fuel.
“Many people liked (the look) of the old Escape,” said Nick Lacasse, Marketing Manager for the SUV/CUV Division at Ford Canada. “But at the same time, they’re saying ‘It’s been good, but it’s time to move on.’” At first, we and others on hand thought that it was a risky move—someone who’s buying an Escape is most often looking for a utilitarian vehicle, with a shape to match. However, Eric Loeffler, Chief Enginner of the Escape assured us that market research proved that the Escape brand name was enough to make them accept the new styling direction.
Which isn’t hard to understand, once you see it in the metal. Purposeful, well-defined lines, aggressive headlights and big taillights recalling the items seen on the current Explorer, plus being the first production vehicle to employ the “new face of Ford” as seen on the EVOS concept all combine to create a styling package that is much more Ford Edge or Hyundai Tucson (actually, it seems a lot of the styling inspiration came from the Hyundai) than it is old Escape. Other nice touches include chrome accents on the front and side grills as well as some added muscle thanks to the hood strakes.
Third gen Escape first production model to showcase 'the new face of Ford', defined by trapezoidal grill in between aggressive headlights
About the Ford Edge/Escape comparison: now that the Escape’s shape has been so thoroughly modernized, and that the bigger Explorer has ditched its body-on-frame architecture in favour of a car-like unibody system, where does it fit in to Ford’s line-up? It used to be that the Edge was clearly the modern, art deco-ish urban trendsetter of the group, while the Escape was the practical alternative.
Loeffler again: “The Escape is really the entry-level model, while the Edge is the urban crossover, and people love the utilitarian aspect of the vehicle.”
No pricing has been announced yet, but the Escape will be priced a notch lower than the Edge, and will be available right out of the gate with a host of fuel efficient motors. A total of three (two turbocharged, one naturally aspirated) engines will be available across four trim packages (S, SE, SEL, Titanium) at launch, ranging from the a base 2.5-litre, projected 168 horsepower four-banger to the new 2.0-litre, turbocharged EcoBoost four-pot whose projected figure of 237 hp and 250 pound-feet of torque put it pretty far ahead of most of its competitors, even some that are using V6 motors. That means that aside from being a power leader, it should set the standard for fuel economy as well, with a projected five miles per gallon reduction over the outgoing models (no Canadian figures have been released). Unlike the Edge, which gets the 2.0-litre EcoBoost for 2012 only as long as you’re happy with front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive will be available in Escapes with the same engine, making for a potent performance package, from the wheels on up.
Chrome side grilles add a touch of class to new Escape, and do well to compliment the shapes found throughout the body
In essence, the Escape will be aimed directly at those that use their small SUV for vacationing, for its sportiness, its storage, its flexibility and good consumption ratings while the Edge is the stylized alterative, meant to excel in the urban jungle. Ease-of-use features like an optional power tailgate that deploys with a sweep of your foot beneath the rear bumper (and is reportedly immune to stray animals that may run underneath), an available two-tiered storage area and rear seats that now fold completely flat with the press of a button should help in this regard, as will the fact that the Escape actually has more storage space than the otherwise bigger Edge.
In the realm of driver involvement, the 2013 Escape gets features like torque vectoring (whereby power is pried away from slipping wheels and channeled to those that have grip) and Curve Control which uses 25 sensors to help read driver inputs in the blink of an eye and can determine if he or she is in over their head when entering a turn, and adjusts accordingly. The Escape’s not just a pretty face, either; underneath all of those aggressive lines and sporty details lies a frame constructed of four times the amount of high tensile steel than the outgoing model. Meanwhile, seven airbags (including a new knee-bolster for drivers and shoulder protection that self-adjusts depending on the size of the person in the seat) are welcome additions to the safety package for 2013.
Also new in the Escape is the addition of the MyFord Touch infotainment system, which has been re-vamped for 2012-13, adding features like a more responsive touch screen, bigger fonts and a more intuitive interface. Put it all together, and what you have is a very well equipped crossover, especially considering its place at the beginning of Ford’s crossover line-up.
19-inch rims are an Escape first, but it's styling cues like this that push the Escape into Edge territory
Still, now that the same 2.0-litre EcoBoost has been made available in the Edge, it will be able to tick the efficiency box like it never could before, which could sway some new customers that would have otherwise gone for the Escape.
Nevertheless, Lacasse is confident. “Small SUV sales made up 6.3 per cent of the marketplace in 2002. That number doubled to over 13.5 per cent in 2011.
“We feel that we have the right vehicle at the right time.” We agree with him. If what Loeffler said about the loyalty to the Escape name is true–and we see no reason why that wouldn’t be the case–then this thorough modernization of the vehicle as a whole could very well be a home run for Ford in what has become one of the automotive market’s most competitive sectors.
Watch for the 2013 Escape to enter dealers in spring 2012.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
I have an 09 escape with 60k on it, my wife and I both enjoy driving it. The 2013 looks like every other new SUV? why did you change it. Count me out of buying a new one.
Ed
Why would you make such a change on a vehicle that is bringing in great sales. This new design of the 2013 Escape is going to have Ford Motor Company firing the team that decided to make these changes… And I ask… at what cost? I will be keeping my 2011 Escape until the end of time before I buy the 2013 Escape. Isn’t there an old saying……..IF IT’S NOT BROKEN …… DON’T TOUCH IT. 2013 Escape….. major disappointment and no doubt a major loss of revenue.
I bought my 2011 Ford Escape this past year and I love it. I will however, not be buying another one as I do not like the new look. I hate the look of crossover vehicles. I like the “old” Escape because of it’s “boxy” truck feel. I am sad to see the changes they made.
I love the new look of the Escape. I am buying one because of the change. Thank you for creating a cross-over vehicle that will have great fuel efficiency. I commute for work & am looking forward to the safety features this Escape offers and is good on gas.
I bought my 2012 escape in january and boy am I glad I did.I don’t care for the new style .someone mentioned they changed the style to attract new customers but what’s wrong with repeat customers? now that ford has changed the style I wouldn’t buy another . This is my second escape I love it. I lease a new one every 3 yrs and would of kept on leasing but not any more. So ford might get a new custmore by changing the slyle but they lost this repeat customer
The new front looks fine, heck better. It’s not a radical restyle by any measure, just updated window dressings.
Sadly all SUVs are shoehorned into one of two body shapes, and nobody (aside from some ugly Nissans) have really broken out of that. This car is no exception. They are the mini-vans of this decade, the most boring looking vehicles on the road.
I really like it so much that it is my next vehicle.
Right now I am driving a 2010 Explorer sport trac.
I like it!!
In response to the above who hate the new look. I’m pretty sure that Ford is trying to target buyers who would not normally consider them rather than repeat buyers of the “same old, same old”. With the way the new lineup is shaping up I would definitely consider the Escape and also the Fusion (2013 of both). If the Fusion came with AWD in a wagon format it would be a contender, but considering that this is an unlikely combination, the Escape is a good next choice. I currently drive a 2007 Saab wagon with 250 hp and this is the first Ford I would actually consider owning.
I own a 2008 Escape, and wouldn’t even consider the 2013 strictly due to the design changes. I haven’t seen the 2013 in person but from the looks of it, the cargo area height at the back must be reduced due to the sloped roof. I got my Escape as I do need to move cargo, and this reduction will restrict my use.
I have a 2008 Escape that I really love and I must tell you that the new 2013 Escape does not appeal to me AT ALL! I find its new look quite ugly actually!
I too like the 2008 escape , but I am finding it looking outdated. The 2013 looks good to me