As is the case with most new models, the launch of a new Ford Escape brings with it a collection of secrets, rumors and insights. The new model won’t be on the market for another two years, but even now we know a lot about how this compact SUV will perform in its segment.
With so much information already available on the 2021 Ford Escape, you might think that there isn’t much left to learn about its successor. However, with any new vehicle launch there are always some surprises – especially when it comes to features and specs.
This article covers everything you need to know about the 2022 Ford Escape: from what it will look like to what engine options are likely to be available.
What We Know About the 2022 Ford Escape
The new Ford Escape is still a year and a half away from hitting the market, but it’s never too early to start reading up on what people are saying about it. Here we cover everything that’s been said about this compact crossover SUV so far.
New Engine Options
The most recent Ford Escape model came with a choice of two 4-cylinder engines: the standard 1.5-litre Ti-VCT engine, and the optional 2.0-litre EcoBoost unit. This changed for the 2020 model, when a third engine option was added in the form of a 1.6-litre EcoBoost unit which is available as an upgrade to both versions of the Escape’s standard engine.
It’s unlikely that this trend will change for the 2022 model, so it’s likely that we’ll see three engine options for the new Escape: 1.4-litre Ti-VCT engine, 2.0-litre EcoBoost unit, and a 1.6-litre EcoBoost unit.
Pricing details are unknown at this time, but they will likely be comparable to those on offer for the current Escape models (the 2020 version starts at $22,690).
A Deeper Dive Into Specs
One of the most important features to consider when buying a new vehicle is the engine. The 2020 Ford Escape will be available with two different engines: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a 3.5-liter V6.
The 2.0-liter in-line four-cylinder EcoBoost engine produces 245hp and 275 lb.-ft of torque, meaning it should be more than capable of powering this compact SUV. The 3.5-liter V6 will likely produce 310hp and 270 lb.-ft of torque, making it a great choice for those who need a little more power from their vehicle.
As well as these two standard engines, there will also be an optional 1.5-liter Turbocharged Inline 4 cylinder engine available for those on a budget or looking for increased fuel economy. It’s not yet clear how much power this small engine will produce, but we do know that it will only be offered with front wheel drive configurations.
Another key element to any new model is its exterior design, so let’s take a look at what we know about 2021 Ford Escape so far…
A Few Likely Changes
Ford hasn’t announced any changes to the Escape for 2022, but there are some questions that we can answer based on Ford’s current lineup. The 2020 Escape is already on sale and it has a lot of the design cues that will be used in the new model.
The first change we think that Ford is likely to make is in regards to the powertrain options. Currently, all Escapes are available with a 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder engine. If this remains unchanged it would put it at a disadvantage compared to other competitors, as many automakers have moved away from these smaller engines in their SUVs and crossovers.
In terms of exterior design, we expect to see evolutionary rather than revolutionary designs. This seems to be Ford’s strategy for most of its new models, so there may not be any bold new features or changes here either.
One exception could be if Ford decides to offer an ST version of the 2021 Ford Escape – there have been rumors of this vehicle floating around for some time now and since there’s currently no ST model in their SUV lineup, it seems like a natural next step for the company.
When Can You Get Your Hands on a 2022 Ford Escape?
Ford has confirmed that the new Ford Escape will be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit this coming January. 2020 has shaped up to be a big year for Ford; the company has also unveiled their new Bronco SUV at NAIAS.
With so many exciting new vehicles set to be revealed, we can’t wait to see what surprises Ford has in store for us!
2022 Ford Escape Engines
Not a lot is known about the 2022 Ford Escape engine options as of yet, but Ford has confirmed that there will be an EcoBoost variant. The EcoBoost engine option is likely to be part of a 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine developed by the company, which will be available for the first time on the 2020 Focus.
The engines powering the current model are either a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol unit or a 2.3-litre diesel engine, which produces 168 PS and 320 Nm of torque respectively. The new three-cylinder EcoBoost won’t replace these larger engines, but it will give buyers more choice when they go to purchase their vehicle.
Not only will it produce increased fuel efficiency, but it also offers better performance than its predecessor, while also being quieter and smoother to drive thanks to Active Noise Cancellation technology.
2022 Escape Release Date and Price
The new Ford Escape will be unveiled in 2020, with a release date a year later. The 2022 Ford Escape price is expected to be around $25,000 for the base model.
2021 Escape Changes and Features
The 2021 Ford Escape will be the first model in the Ford lineup to be built on the new C2 platform. This means that, like other models in the Ford lineup, it will feature a greater focus on driver assistance and safety. The 2021 Escape will also take some design cues from its bigger brother, the 2019 Edge.
This includes a sleeker front bumper and grille. The exterior will also have a more aerodynamic profile, which is thanks to the slimmer headlights and a raked windshield.
One of the most important changes for this SUV is in the interior – there are now four seats instead of five. This decreases cargo space by about eight cubic feet but increases passenger space by four cubic feet.
The 2020 Escape does have as much cargo space as before; it just isn’t spread over five seats anymore. Perhaps one of the biggest changes for this SUV is that it’s going to come with an all-new engine option: an EcoBoost V6 with three cylinders instead of six or eight. It features a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct injection for better efficiency and performance than previous options.
And even though it only has three cylinders, Ford claims that it will be just as powerful as its predecessor (the 5-cylinder). If you want more power, you can always choose another engine option – either a 2.3-liter inline 4 cylinder or 2.0-liter twin-scroll turbocharged inline
Exterior Design of the New Escape
The new Ford Escape will share much of its body-style with the current model. The renderings show that it’s likely to have the same sleek, rounded profile as the current model.
What’s different is the headlights and taillights, which are more angular in the new design. The front end of the new vehicle is more aggressive than before, with a larger grille and a slimmer headlights design.
LED-based headlights are also an option for this new SUV. One difference in style is that on the rear section of the car, we can see what appears to be an overhang above the bumper strip. If this proves accurate, it would mark a departure from previous designs in which there was no overhang at all.
The interior design of the new Ford Escape won’t change much if at all from what we currently know about it – expect more soft-touch surfaces and high-quality plastics.
Interior and Comfort Features
The cabin space of the 2021 Ford Escape has been praised for its versatility and efficiency. The upcoming model will be no different, as it comes with seating for five – one of the few compact SUVs that offers such a set-up. Ford is also likely to offer an optional panoramic glass roof in the 2022 Escape.
This feature is especially popular in Ford’s lineup and will help make this SUV even more comfortable to spend time in while on the road. Additionally, there are rumors that the new Escape could come with heated seats, which would add another layer of comfort when driving this SUV in winter.
Another great feature that was introduced with the 2019 Fusion Sport is a 360 degree camera system, and some speculate that this option could be available on the new 2022 Ford Escape as well. However, not all rumors about changes to this SUV have been positive.
There are concerns that the new model will lose some ground by moving from 18-inch wheels to 16-inch ones. While 16-inch wheels do save weight and improve fuel economy, they do come with their own problems: noisy roads (caused by rocks and debris) are more noticeable with smaller wheels; ride quality becomes less smooth too due to increased vibrations from bumps on the ground; and finally, fuel economy decreases because smaller tires need more power from your engine due to extra rolling resistance (the larger wheel has less contact patch).