THE REDESIGNED ESCAPE
is good-looking, with fresh
styling that makes it appear
more like a raised hatchback
than a boxy, utilitarian SUV.
We like its handling, standard
safety equipment, fuel
economy, and controls, but
the base engine, ride comfort,
and seats are letdowns.
Like its predecessor, the
new Escape is one of the few
compact SUVs that’s agile
when driven on winding
roads. The base three-
cylinder engine is quick to
deliver power when needed,
whether in town or on a
highway. The transmission
shifts quickly, although
some low-speed upshifts
can be felt as a slight bump.
Peers like the Mazda CX-5
have smoother-shifting
transmissions.
We commend Ford for
equipping the Escape with
standard forward collision
warning (FCW), automaticemergency braking (AEB) with
pedestrian detection, and
blind spot warning (BSW).
Some automakers still make
these features optional.
Most of the controls are
large knobs or buttons, and
the Sync 3 infotainment
system has large text and is
easy to use. Plus, Android
Auto and Apple CarPlay
compatibility is standard.
The Escape does fall short in
several areas. The base engine
has a pronounced vibration at
low revs and during coasting.
The ride is rather stiff , with
noticeable impact from
bumps. All of this combines to
make the Escape unsatisfying
to drive.
At fi rst blush, the cabin looks
inviting. But after driving the
SUV for a while, our testers
found that the door panels
and silver trim were fl imsy,
the plastic steering wheel felt
cheap, and the fl at seats were
short on back and leg support.THIS STYLISH NEW MODEL
makes a big statement in the
small luxury SUV segment
with its well-appointed cabin,
comfortable ride, and lively,
well-matched powertrain.
The Corsair shares a
platform with the Ford Escape,
but no one would confuse
the two. The pricier Lincoln
fulfi lls on the premium
promise, delivering
refi nement throughout.
The Lincoln’s meticulous
cabin has the stitched leather,
glossy trim, and high-quality
materials expected in a more
expensive luxury SUV.
The Sync 3 infotainment
system is easy to use and has
large buttons and text, but
the push-button gear selector
on the dashboard is fussy
to operate, and the voice
control button on the left side
of the steering wheel can be
accidentally activated.
An open space under the
center console providesplenty of kneeroom for the
driver. But broad-shouldered
drivers will fi nd the seat
too confi ning. The backseat
provides ample room and
can be moved forward or
backward to increase legroom
or cargo space.
The Corsair’s smooth
ride and quiet cabin pamper
passengers. The SUV’s
responsive handling makes it
a pleasure to drive on curvy
roads. We think that the base
250-hp engine and 8-speed
automatic transmission
deliver plenty of power, and
there’s no need for buyers to
opt for the more expensive
2.3-liter turbocharged four-
cylinder engine.
Every Corsair comes with
advanced safety systems,
including FCW, AEB with
pedestrian detection, BSW,
and lane keeping assistance
(LKA), which can easily
be adjusted through the
infotainment screen.ROAD TEST
WE CONDUCT 50+ TESTS ON EACH VEHICLE AT OUR 327-ACRE AUTO TEST CENTER.
FOR COMPLETE ROAD TESTS, ALL-ACCESS MEMBERS CAN GO TO CR.ORG/CARS.COMPACT SUVsFord Escape
Still Chasing the
Class LeadersOVERALL
SCORE62
ROAD-TEST SCORE 73HIGHS Agility, stopping distance,
controls, fuel economyLOWS Engine vibration, overly
sensitive brake pedalPOWERTRAIN 180-hp, 1.5-liter
3-cylinder turbocharged engine;
8-speed automatic transmission;
all-wheel driveFUEL 26 mpg on regular fuelPRICE AS TESTED $32,600LUXURY COMPACT SUVsLincoln
Corsair
Smooth, Stylish
NewcomerOVERALL
SCORE67
ROAD-TEST SCORE 82HIGHS Ride, quietness, powertrain,
stopping distance, fit and finishLOWS ControlsPOWERTRAIN 250-hp, 2.0-liter
4-cylinder turbocharged engine;
8-speed automatic transmission;
all-wheel driveFUEL 23 mpg on regular fuelPRICE AS TESTED $49,920PH
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FEBRUARY 2020 CR.ORG 59