The compact SUV field is getting more crowded every day. Whether you’re in traffic on the freeway or stopped at a red light on your local road, chances are you are practically surrounded by fellow motorists driving in any number of different makes and models of compact SUVs. Some look so alike it has gotten hard to tell them apart. Things have gotten to the point where if you can’t see the car’s logo, you have no idea what kind of model you’re looking at.
If you want to break away from the pack, you should consider stopping by your local Ford Escape Dealer. Ford has given its standout compact SUV four different engine options so that you can customize the performance of your 2022 Ford Escape. This is a departure from other automakers, most of whom have decided to equip their compact SUV model with a specific engine across all trim lines. You’ll find that escaping from the ordinary is the name of the game with this compact SUV from Ford.
An Escape from Limited Engine Options
The 2022 Ford Escape comes with four different engine options: two conventional gas engines and two hybrid ones. Each has different attributes, allowing you to choose the engine that best serves your needs. The base option is a 1.5-liter EcoBoost Turbo I-3 gas engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. That’s right, this is a three-cylinder engine, unlike the usual conventional gas engines that feature an even number of cylinders. This has a dual overhead camshaft configuration (DOHC), like the other three engines on the Escape, with 12 valves for its three cylinders. It utilizes Ford’s Ti-VCT variable valve timing system to improve engine efficiency. The turbocharged I-3 uses direct fuel injection and can produce up to 181 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque.
The other conventional gas option offered with the 2022 Escape is a 2.0-liter EcoBoost Turbo I-4 engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It also uses a DOHC configuration for its 16 engine valves and the Ti-VCT variable valve timing mechanism. However, this has a higher output than the I-3 engine, delivering up to 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque.
The other two engines are hybrids, one being a conventional hybrid and the other a plug-in hybrid. Both hybrids feature a 2.5-liter I-4 gas engine combined with an electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. In addition, they utilize a continuously variable transmission (CVT) in place of an automatic transmission with set gear speeds and sequential multiport fuel injection for the I-4 gas engine. The conventional hybrid is capable of 200 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque, while the plug-in hybrid boosts the output to 221 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque.
Ford Escape models powered by the 2.0-liter I-4 come with standard all-wheel drive, while the Escape Plug-in Hybrid is front-wheel drive only. Meanwhile, both the 1.5-liter EcoBoost Turbo-powered Escape and its Hybrid counterpart give drivers the choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive.
An Escape From the Gas Pump
All 2022 Ford Escape models feature solid fuel economy, with the two hybrid models providing exceptional gas mileage. This is expected since hybrids primarily use the electric motor to power the vehicle at lower speeds, thus boosting fuel economy numbers. The Escape with the 2.0-liter EcoBoost Turbo I-4 delivers the lowest fuel economy of the four engine options. This all-wheel drive model gives you an adequate 23 MPG when city driving and an extraordinary 31 MPG on the highway for a combined 26 MPG.
Choosing the all-wheel drive 2022 Ford Escape with the 1.5-liter EcoBoost Turbo I-3 provides slightly better fuel economy numbers, with an improved 26 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway, amounting to 28 MPG combined. Of the two conventional gas engine options, the best fuel economy comes with the front-wheel drive Escape with the 1.5-liter EcoBoost Turbo I-3. This model will give you an impressive 28 MPG when city driving, a spectacular 34 MPG when highway driving, and a combined 30 MPG overall.
Still, nothing can compare to the fuel economy delivered by a hybrid Escape, especially the front-wheel drive version. While both the all-wheel and front-wheel drive hybrids provide an amazing 37 MPG on the highway, choosing front-wheel drive will give you an incomparable 44 MPG in the city and a combined 41 MPG. The extra traction provided by all-wheel drive comes at the expense of fuel economy, which drops to 43 MPG in the city and 40 MPG combined.
The Plug-in Hybrid Escape does not have official fuel ratings for 2023, but going off the previous model year, it will likely get around 105 MPGe in the city. This exceptional economy is due to the fact that it will operate solely on the electric motor at lower speeds. When driving on the highway, you can expect to get about 37 MPG.
An Escape From Mediocre Performance
In addition to exceptional fuel economy, the 2022 Ford Escape also provides drivers with superb performance, depending on the choice of engine. If you are interested in speed, acceleration, and overall performance and are not as concerned with fuel economy, then the top choice is an Escape with the 2.0-liter EcoBoost Turbo I-4. This can go from 0 to 60 mph in a blistering 5.7 seconds with a top speed of 126 mph. In addition, choosing this engine on your Escape will allow you to tow up to 3,500 lbs.
The Escape with the 1.5-liter EcoBoost Turbo I-3 is a close second. While its 0 to 60 mph acceleration can’t match that of the larger engine, it’s able to cover this distance in a solid 7.7 seconds. This model can also tow up to 2,000 lbs, making for an equitable compromise between performance and fuel economy. If you are more interested in getting the most out of your Escape’s fuel economy and are not as concerned with performance and acceleration, then the two hybrid models are probably your best bet. These hybrids go from 0 to 60 mph in 8.7 seconds. In addition, the trailer rating drops to 1,500 lbs of maximum towing.
It’s Time to Escape From the Mundane
Ford has given plenty of choices with the 2022 Escape. Like most compact SUVs, drivers can choose between front-wheel and all-wheel drive on their vehicles. However, unlike most other compact SUV models, drivers who choose the Escape can get the option of four different engines offering an array of capabilities. If you desire incredible fuel economy, opt for either a 2022 Ford Escape Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid. On the other hand, if you want a compact SUV with exceptional performance, go with an Escape with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost Turbo I-4. Want the best of both worlds, combining excellent fuel economy and solid performance? Consider the 2022 Escape with the 1.5-liter EcoBoost Turbo I-3. With the Ford Escape, diversity is what sets it apart from its compact SUV competition, and this array of engine and capability choices clearly demonstrates this. Are you ready to escape from underwhelming SUV performance and capability? Ford is waiting.
