2013 Escape AWD SEL

The Ford Escape is a compact crossover vehicle sold by Ford Motor Company since 2000 over three generations. Ford released the original model in 2000 for the 2001 model year—a model jointly developed and released with Mazda of Japan—who took a lead in the engineering of the two models and sold their version as the Mazda Tribute. Although the Escape and Tribute share the same underpinnings constructed from the Ford CD2 platform (based on Mazda GF underpinnings), the only panels common to the two vehicles are the roof and floor pressings. Powertrains were supplied by Mazda with respect to the base inline-four engine, with Ford providing the optional V6. At first, the twinned models were assembled by Ford in the US for North American consumption, with Mazda in Japan supplying cars for the rest-of-world. This followed a long history of Mazda-derived Fords, starting with the Ford Courier in the 1970s. Ford also sold the first generation Escape in Europe and China as the Ford Maverick, replacing the previous model. Then in 2004, for the 2005 model year, Ford's luxury Mercury division released a rebadged version called the Mercury Mariner, sold mainly in North America. The first iteration Escape remains notable as the first SUV to offer a hybrid drivetrain option, released in 2004 for the 2005 model year to North American markets only.

The third generation Ford Escape was revealed at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, based on the new Global C platform. The Escape is a rebadged Ford Kuga designed in Europe. Two EcoBoost inline four-cylinder turbocharged engines are offered. The basic engine is a 2.5L naturally-aspirated I4. The new Escape is the first Ford vehicle to offer a new 1.6-liter unit. In the process of revamping the Escape's engine lineup, both the Hybrid model with its 2.5-liter Atkinson powertrain and the 3.0-liter V6 engine have been dropped. Ford claims that the fuel economy of the new 1.6L EcoBoost engine will match that of the previous Ford Escape Hybrid, while the new 2.0-liter engine produces more horsepower than the current V6 unit. The transmission is a six-speed automatic. The new generation of the Ford Escape is 10% more aerodynamic than the previous generation.