The 2021 Ford Escape is a compact crossover SUV available in a variety of trim levels, from the economical to the luxurious. Ford’s entry into the highly competitive compact SUV market is available in four distinct trim levels, plus hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants. This article will cover the gas-engine trim levels, with hybrid options covered in another story.
Introduced for the 2001 model year, the Escape is in its 21st year of production. The fourth-generation Escape was introduced for 2020, making this one of the freshest compact SUVs on the market. There are two turbocharged EcoBoost gasoline-powered engine and drivetrain options. The base engine is a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder rated at 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque. The upgrade 2.0-liter option delivers 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. Both engines pair with 8-speed automatic transmissions. Escape models with the 1.5-liter engine may be front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, while 2.0-liter Escape models are all equipped with all-wheel drive.
Escape models equipped with the 1.5-liter engine return EPA-estimated 28 mpg in city driving and up to 34 mpg on the highway. With the 2.0-liter engine, city fuel economy is 23 mpg, while highway usage is rated at 31 mpg.
Notable Features
As a family-oriented vehicle, safety is an essential consideration for the Escape. Therefore, several advanced safety and driver assistance features are standard on all Escape models. These include blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assistance, curve control to automatically reduce speed on curves, and forward collision mitigation technology with the ability to automatically apply the brakes if a collision is imminent.
The 2021 Escape earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The 2021 Escape also earned a 5-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The 2021 Escape will generally be available as a pre-owned vehicle. Ford’s Blue Advantage certified pre-owned program includes a detailed inspection that rates the vehicle as Gold or Blue. Vehicles covered by Blue Advantage have a 14-day/1000-mile money-back guarantee. Then, Gold Certified vehicles include a 12-month/12,000-mile warranty and a 7-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Gold Certified vehicles also include 24/7 roadside assistance and 22,000 FordPass Rewards points that you can use towards scheduled maintenance.
Blue Certified vehicles receive a 90-day/4,000-mile warranty and the 14-day money-back guarantee, plus roadside assistance and 11,000 FordPass points.
The 2021 Ford Escape came in four different trim levels. You can read about each trim in detail below.
2021 Ford Escape S (Original starting price when new: $24,885)
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The 2021 Ford Escape S starts at $24,885.
The base-model Escape S comes with a 1.5-liter engine and front-wheel drive. All-wheel-drive is available as an option that originally cost $1,500. The Escape S rides on 17-inch steel wheels.
Inside, the Escape S features cloth upholstery and a 6-way manually adjustable driver’s seat. The second-row seats slide forward and back a bit and offer a 60/40 fold-down capability. Dashboard technology includes a 6-speaker audio system and Ford’s SYNC user interface with a small 4.2-inch display screen and one USB port. The FordPass Connect app allows interaction with remote services such as remote start, locating the vehicle, and remote lock/unlock.
Standard driver assistance includes automatic high-beam control, a rear-view camera system, remote keyless entry, and traction & stability controls.
Who is this trim level for? The 2021 Escape S is for buyers who want to purchase the least expensive version of the Escape. This trim level was initially intended for fleet use.
2021 Ford Escape S includes:
Ford Co-Pilot360 — Advanced safety, including blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assistance, automatic high-beam control, and forward-collision mitigation.
1.5-liter EcoBoost engine — This 3-cylinder turbocharged engine delivers good performance while saving fuel.
Rear-view camera — Helps with safe reversing.
2021 Ford Escape SE (Original starting price when new: $26,610)
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The 2021 Ford Escape SE starts at $26,610.
In addition to the features included in the base Escape S, the SE trim includes chrome upper window moldings, a black beltline molding, chrome grille surround, rear privacy glass, and 17-inch alloy wheels. The engine in the SE is still the 1.5-liter turbo, with standard front-wheel drive. All-wheel-drive was available as a $1,500 option.
The SE builds on the S trim with additional USB and USB-C ports. The audio system adds Sirius/XM satellite radio capability. The SYNC system gets upgraded to Ford’s SYNC3 with enhanced voice recognition and an 8-inch touchscreen interface. Both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration are included. Additional interior features include push-button start/stop for the engine.
Several option packages on the Escape SE were not available on the base model, including advanced driver assistance, sport appearance, interior convenience, and a cold-weather package.
Who is this trim level for? The 2021 Escape SE is for customers who want a more up-to-date dashboard infotainment system and a little bit of dress-up but stay on a budget.
2021 Ford Escape SE includes:
Eight-inch touchscreen — Equipped with SYNC3, supports voice commands and satellite radio.
Alloy wheels — The Escape SE dresses up its exterior appearance with alloy wheels.
Available option packages — Many Escape SE models will be enhanced with additional option packages.
2021 Ford Escape SEL (Original starting price when new: $29,205)
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The 2021 Ford Escape starts at $29,205.
The Escape SEL includes all SE trim, plus several attractive convenience and driving features. The standard engine is still the 1.5-liter, but the 2.0-liter EcoBoost is available as an extra-cost option at this level. All-Wheel-Drive was also optional with the Escape SEL. The sticker price of the 2.0-liter Escape SEL was $2,200 more than the Escape SEL AWD with the 1.5-liter engine and $3,700 more than the base price for the FWD Escape SEL.
In addition to the exterior features offered on the Escape SE, the SEL adds fog lights, LED daytime running lights, heated side mirrors, a power liftgate, roof rails, and 18-inch alloy wheels. On the inside, SEL buyers receive dual-zone automatic climate control, ActiveX synthetic upholstery, heated front seats, a 10-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support, a heated and wrapped steering wheel, and one-touch power windows front and rear.
Advanced safety and convenience features at the SEL trim level include a reverse sensing system and remote starting. Ford also includes its SecuriCode keypad for keyless unlocking.
Frequently selected options on the SEL trim include adaptive cruise control with lane centering, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless device charging, a panoramic glass sunroof, and a voice-activated GPS navigation system. A towing package was available for the Escape SEL with the 2.0-liter engine that allowed towing up to 3,500 pounds.
Who is this trim level for? The 2021 Escape SEL is for buyers who want a good selection of the best optional features or the 2.0-liter engine and AWD without the expense of the top Titanium trim.
2021 Ford Escape SEL includes:
Heated front seats — This is among the most popular options on the market.
Reverse sensing system — This feature helps avoid backing into mailboxes, the garage door, or anything else.
Available 2.0-liter engine — SEL is the most affordable trim with the 2.0-liter engine.
2021 Ford Escape Titanium (Original starting price when new: $36,155)
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Titanium is Ford’s top trim level for the 2021 Escape, and it represents over $3,000 more than the comparable SEL with all-wheel-drive and the 2.0-liter engine. The 2.0-liter with front-wheel drive is the standard drivetrain for the Escape Titanium. All-wheel-drive is still optional.
Building on the SEL feature list, the Titanium adds a long list of standard features that are optional on lower trims. The Escape Titanium includes adaptive cruise control, 19-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lamps, LED signature lights, and roof rail crossbars.
Inside, the Titanium trim includes the 12.3-inch instrument screen, ambient lighting, a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system with sub-woofer, and the voice-activated touchscreen navigation system.
Titanium’s Tech and driver assistance features include Active Park Assist, which will automatically parallel park the Escape and let you know if a space is large enough to accommodate the vehicle. It will also move the Escape out of a tight parking space for you.
Options on Titanium trim include a head-up display, wireless device charging, leather wrap on the heated steering wheel, and the panoramic glass roof. Genuine leather front seats are also optional. The towing package is available with this trim.
Who is this trim level for? The 2021 Escape Titanium is for buyers who want every possible feature and are willing to pay for it.
2021 Escape Titanium includes:
2.0-liter engine — More engine power and the ability to tow with the Escape.
B&O audio system — The best audio system in the Escape line.
Active Park Assist — Automatically parallel parking and departure from a parking space.
