2021 Ford Escape

The 2021 Ford Escape comes in four trim levels: S, SE, SEL, and Titanium. It has a prominent grille with the Ford Blue Oval on the hood above it, deeply set, understated fog lights, a sculpted hood, sculpted sides, and dual exhaust. You'll also get 17-inch wheels, a rear windshield wiper with a washer, and a body-colored rear spoiler.

You can add privacy glass, a hands-free, foot-activated power liftgate, roof rails, a panoramic sunroof, fog lights, 18- or 19-inch wheels, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The available colors include Rapid Red, Antimatter Blue, Agate Black, Velocity Blue, Star White, Magnetic Gray, Iconic Silver, Bronze Fire, Desert Gold, and Oxford White.

With this SUV, you'll get a turbocharged EcoBoost 1.5-liter, three-cylinder engine that gives 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. You can also pick a turbocharged, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder EcoBoost motor that generates 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Both of these have an eight-speed automatic transmission and an automatic start and stop system to conserve fuel by preventing idling in traffic. The 2.0-liter engine includes a manual mode for a sportier driving experience.

The hybrid models have a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that offers 198 horsepower when combined with an 88-Kilowatt electric motor. You can also choose a 2.5-liter plug-in hybrid that provides 155 horsepower and 220 pound-feet of torque. Both engines have a continuously variable automatic transmission.

The Escape has a responsive, smooth ride and great acceleration. You'll get power steering, front-wheel drive, and electronic curve control that can brake automatically if needed to prevent accidents during turns. This SUV can pull up to 3,500 pounds and haul up to 1,240 pounds. Slippery, normal, sport, snow/sand, and eco-driving modes are available. You can add all-wheel drive and an engine block heater to make starting in cool weather easier and all-wheel drive.

The interior is spacious, and it comes with folding rear seats, a Wi-Fi hot spot, cruise and audio controls on the steering wheel, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Other standard features include a rotary gear shifter, an overhead sunglass storage console, a 4.2-inch driver instrument panel, and an outdoor temperature display.

You can add leather seats, an 8-inch touch screen, a 10-way power driver's seat, mote start, navigation, a 10-speaker sound system, a universal garage door opener, dual-zone climate control, and wireless charging.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety called the 2021 Ford Escape a Top Safety Pick. It has dual-stage front airbags, a security system, a rearview camera, cargo tie-down hooks, and Ford's MyKey system. It lets you limit speed and speaker volume for teen drivers. You'll also get a forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. A head-up display is optional.