In an automotive world increasingly focused on electric vehicles or large, powerful SUVs, looking at something a little more middle-of-the-road can be refreshing. The Escape is Ford’s answer to the popularity of specialty vehicles and cars designed with a niche market in mind. It is a compact crossover with mainstream appeal and is meant for many owners. It can be a fantastic option if you want something to get you around town or back and forth on your commute without much fuss.

The Ford Escape has changed a lot over the years. While there are no significant updates for the 2024 model year specifically, things have been evolving over the last several iterations, and they have finally reached their pinnacle with this version of the Escape, which starts at a relatively low $30,840 MSRP.

Knowing how the 2024 Ford Escape stands apart from other vehicles in its class – even the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V – you can decide if it is the right vehicle for you and your family.

Design Evolution: Exterior and Interior Updates

In the 2023 model year, the Escape received an all-new exterior design that changed the vehicle’s entire profile. This design change included a wider front grille with a more prominent logo, an all-new hood and bumper, and crisp new wheel designs. This exterior change has continued with the 2024 model and shows that the Escape is destined to be a much more stylish vehicle than it has previously been known to be. With its squat and low profile, it has a sporty stance that most compact crossovers don’t.

If you opt for some of the higher trim levels of the Escape, you get some other stylish exterior upgrades as well. For example, the ST-Line Elite variant has 18 or 19-inch wheels and a black mesh grille. The lower body trim also matches the color of the vehicle, and it gets a rear spoiler. These sportier touches have not been previously available on other iterations of the Escape, making it a great choice if you want something with a little more flash and style on the road.

Inside, the 2024 Escape is designed to be as spacious as possible. The cargo space is equal to that of the Equinox, Ford’s flagship SUV, Chevrolet’s main competitor. The interior style has a fairly straightforward design, but if you move up to some of the higher trim levels, like the ST-Line or the Platinum model, you get higher-end materials and appointments. The lower trims come with cloth seats, but the Platinum model comes with faux leather, which can bring the whole interior into a much more premium category.

Under the Hood: Performance and Engine Improvements

Powertrain options are where the Ford Escape has seen the most improvement over the years. While the first iteration of the Escape was only available with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, putting out 130 horsepower, the 2024 version has a much wider range of engine options, all offering more power and better efficiency.

The base version of the 2024 Escape comes with an 181-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine, making it much more powerful than it used to be, even at the base level. This version can come with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, depending on your needs and how much fuel you want to save.

The 2024 Escape is also available with hybrid powertrains if you want to keep your fuel costs as low as possible while getting extra horsepower. Since Ford plans to discontinue three of their all-gas models by 2026, it is a good idea to get to know their lineup of hybrid engines.

The traditional and Escape plug-in hybrid models come with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, putting out 210 horsepower with the help of two separate electric motors running through a continuously variable automatic transmission. While the EPA has not fully tested the fuel economy of all versions of the 2024 Escape, the PHEV model is currently rated for 84 MPGe on electric power with 44 mpg city on hybrid power.

The top-tier all-gas engine will be your best bet if you want to get the most power out of your new Escape. This is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that puts out a massive 250-horsepower through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

This is a lot of power for an SUV with a curb weight of just 3,283 pounds, and it shows in its 5.7-second zero-to-60 time on the test track. While you may not need that much speed to run errands around town, it can make highway driving more fun.

Technological Advancements in the 2024 Model

Over the years, technology has been a major priority for Ford, and the Escape has evolved with them as it has aged. The base Escape Active and ST-Line trim models have 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment systems. If you want more digital real estate, upgrade to the 13.2-inch touchscreen version that comes standard on the Escape Platinum and Escape PHEV models. This system has full smartphone connectivity with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, running on Ford’s Sync 4 infotainment interface. This system also gets over-the-air updates, which means it will never be out of date with its software version.

If you want to spend a little extra on some additional tech equipment, plenty are available on this new Escape. For one, you can upgrade the gauges to a huge 12.3-inch customizable digital gauge display. If you want even more information while you are on the road, you can also add a digital head-up display that will show things like navigation updates, which are also available as an upgrade. A 10-speaker B&O Play stereo sound system can be added to this new Escape for a little more high-def music in the cabin.

Safety Features and Driver Assistance Enhancements

Most people buy an SUV because they want a vehicle that can take their family from place to place, which means that it should be as safe as possible. Every 2024 Ford Escape has a huge collection of safety features that can protect you and your family on the road.

Standard safety features include things like forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. These warnings and alerts can be a great second pair of eyes whenever you are behind the wheel.

The 2024 Escape also comes with Ford’s Co-Pilot360 system, which is a suite of driver-assistance features. This system includes Ford BlueCruise – an automated driving system that allows you to drive hands-free on 97% of highways and freeways in the United States with the help of adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist equipment.

It also includes a hill descent control feature to help you maintain speed on steep hills and an evasive steering assist, giving you extra steering power when trying to avoid a collision. These features are designed to make driving the 2024 Escape as convenient and safe as possible.

Comparing the 2024 Escape with Previous Models

To fully understand how far the Ford Escape has come, you must know how it started. The first Escape was introduced by Ford in 2001 and was essentially a remake of the Mazda Tribute. It had a unibody construction, which is something that continues to this day, and a seriously underpowered 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with just 130 horsepower. While this early version was meant to answer the massive full-size SUVs that were so popular then, it did not have the sporty style and performance specs that this new version has.

Over the years, the Escape has evolved and came into its own much more in subsequent generations. By 2008, the base engine was a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine putting out 171 horsepower, and by 2013, you could upgrade to a much more powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine with 240 horsepower.

Technology and safety features also progressed with infotainment systems and newer versions of Ford’s Sync infotainment software. Looking back at these previous generations, it is easy to see how this newest model is the pinnacle of everything the Escape has been in the past and how it has been perfected into a fast, efficient, and convenient crossover for drivers of all kinds.

The Value of an Extended Warranty for Your Escape

If you choose to purchase a 2024 Escape, it is incredibly important that you protect it as much as you can. When you buy a new Ford vehicle, it will come with a set of factory warranties that are meant to protect you from things like design issues and problems at the factory. In 2023, Ford’s factory warranties include three years or 36,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage and five years or 60,000 miles of powertrain coverage. Once that coverage is over, though, you will be financially responsible for anything that happens to your Escape and any repairs you might need to make.

If you want protection for your Escape once the factory warranty is up, an extended warranty, more accurately called a vehicle service contract (VSC), is your best option. VSCs are available from third-party providers and can cover vehicles of all kinds, even cars with higher mileage or other issues. They will help you pay for repairs when they come up and give you the confidence you need when you are behind the wheel. Picking the right VSC provider is essential and will help you keep your Escape in great condition for as long as possible.

Embracing the New Era of the Ford Escape With Endurance

The 2024 Ford Escape is a great choice for drivers of all kinds and has much to offer regarding performance, comfort, and safety. Whether you choose the base version or one of the higher trim levels, the Escape is a good all-around vehicle that can get you to your destination safely and in style.

If you want to protect your Escape or other vehicle and keep it running smoothly, Endurance is here for you. We have plans for nearly every driver and every type of car. Starting at just $99 per month, you can get custom coverage for your vehicle, whether a high-mileage car or a high-end luxury vehicle.

With options ranging from the most basic powertrain coverage all the way up to bumper-to-bumper protection that is on par with your vehicle’s factory warranty, there is something for every budget. Endurance also covers vehicles other VSC providers won’t cover, like Canadian Gray Market vehicles, cars with a rebuilt or salvage title, or vehicles used for commercial purposes like rideshare or delivery.

Endurance plans also have convenient standard benefits like 24/7 roadside assistance, towing, rental car coverage, and trip interruption protection. Plus, for a small activation fee, you also get one year of Elite Benefits, which includes perks like tire repairs, key fob replacement, and up to $1,000 in total loss coverage.

You can experience our award-winning customer service firsthand by contacting our dedicated team at (800) 253-8203 and requesting a FREE quote. You can also take advantage of our online store for an instant price preview so you can shop with confidence.

You can also find more auto-expert resources on the Endurance blog. Explore FAQs, warranty provider comparisons, DIY maintenance tips like how to clean your steering wheel, compact SUV reviews, and more.