Ford Escape Hybrid 2022 Review

The 2022 Ford Escape is a small SUV that sits in a sweet spot between the automaker's smaller Ford EcoSport and larger Ford Edge and three-row Explorer. It competes in one of the most hotly contested segments around, with rivals including the Honda CR-V, Jeep Cherokee, Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4. The Escape was fully redesigned just a couple of years ago, which explains the lack of changes or upgrades for the 2022 model.

The Escape does a lot of other things right. Its cabin is comfortable and spacious, and it's available with lots of technology and advanced driver aids. And although its cargo area isn't class-leading, what is here is right on the mark for what we expect from small SUVs. Less appealing is how the Escape drives. Essentially, we expect a little more refinement and handling precision. Learn more about our test team's findings by reading our Expert Rating on the 2022 Escape.

Which Escape does MatoCar recommend?

The 2022 Escape is a small SUV available in four trim levels: S, SE, SEL and Titanium. By default, most trims are driven by a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine (181 horsepower, 190 lb-ft of torque) paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Standard for the Titanium and optional for the SE and SEL is a fuel-sipping 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain (200 total system horsepower) that drives the wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Those looking for more power can opt for the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (250 hp, 280 lb-ft) available on the SEL and Titanium trim levels. Front- or all-wheel drive is available with the three-cylinder and hybrid powertrains, while the turbo-four comes only with AWD.

Ford also offers an Escape with a plug-in version of the hybrid engine, the Escape PHEV. It's reviewed separately on MatoCar.

S This base trim is fairly bare-bones, though you do get a few spiffy safety features. The Escape S starts you off with:

• 17-inch steel wheels
• Height-adjustable driver's seat
• 4.2-inch central display screen
• Six-speaker sound system
• Onboard Wi-Fi hotspot

Every Escape also comes with these safety features:

• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
• Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)

SE Perks the Escape's content up with:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Chrome exterior trim
• Keyless ignition and entry
• 8-inch touchscreen
• Satellite radio
• Two rear USB ports
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility

Choosing the hybrid powertrain also adds dual-zone automatic climate control and an upgraded instrument cluster display. Other optional extras include:

• Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package
• Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the Escape and the car in front)
• Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
• Evasive steering assist (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance)
• Navigation system
• Cold Weather package
• Heated mirrors
• Remote engine start
• Automatic climate control
• Heated steering wheel
• Heated front seats
• Convenience package
• Upgraded headlights
• Power liftgate
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Power driver's seat
• Rear armrest
• SE Sport Appearance package
• 19-inch black-painted wheels
• Black exterior styling elements
• Panoramic sunroof

SEL Builds on the SE's standard equipment with:

• Cold Weather package
• Convenience package
• 18-inch wheels
• Foglights
• Roof rails
• Imitation leather upholstery
• Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)

A number of packages are also available for the SEL, including:

• Technology package
• Hands-free liftgate
• Digital instrument panel
• Driver's seat memory settings
• 10-speaker B&O premium sound system
• Wireless charging pad
• SEL Stealth AWD package (turbo four-cylinder engine only)
• 19-inch black-painted wheels
• Black exterior styling elements
• Faux suede seat inserts
• Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package
• Panoramic sunroof
• Tow package (turbo four-cylinder and hybrid only)

Titanium This top trim comes standard with the hybrid engine, though the turbo-four is also available. Other upgrades include:

• Technology package (minus the charging pad and B&O audio system)
• Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package
• 19-inch wheels
• LED headlights and foglights
• Roof rails
• Chrome exterior trim
• Ambient lighting
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Power-adjustable passenger seat
• Front parking sensors

There are a few options for the Titanium, including:

• Titanium Elite package
• Chrome exterior accents
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Leather upholstery
• B&O audio system
• Wireless charging pad
• Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)
• Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with no driver intervention)
• Panoramic sunroof
• Tow package