You have a choice of five trim packages with the ’24 Escape: Active, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, and Platinum. The Active and ST-Line are outfitted with a 1.5-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine making 180 hp and 199 lb.-ft. of torque, while the others get a 2.0-liter EcoBoost that puts out 250 hp and 280 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engines are paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the Active and ST-Line come with standard front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive (AWD) is available. The ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, and Platinum all have standard AWD. With the Trailer Tow Package that’s offered for the ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, and Platinum, the Escape can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
The Escape’s fuel economy is excellent: the FWD Active and ST-Line achieve an EPA-estimated 27 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. With AWD, they return 26 city/32 highway, while the remaining trims give you 23 city/31 highway.
The Active is an entry-level trim with a surprising range of features, including proximity keyless entry, a power liftgate, LED headlights, push-button start, four USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a 60/40-split second-row seatback. The ST-Line adds roof rack side rails, a rear skid plate, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, and red interior contrast stitching, while the ST-Line Select upgrades the situation with heated front seats LED fog lights, a sport-tuned suspension (optional for the regular ST-Line), and heated side mirrors.
The ST-Line Elite stands out with an LED lightbar that connects the headlights, plus rain-sensing wipers, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a wireless phone charger, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink, ambient interior lighting, position memory for the driver’s seat and side mirrors, and a power-adjustable front passenger’s seat. The Platinum lacks the ST-Line Elite’s sport suspension, flat-bottomed steering wheel, and red accents, but it includes its other posh features and adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel and perforated synthetic-leather ActiveX sport seats.
The ’24 Escape comes standard with an assortment of helpful driver-assist technologies. All trims get the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, providing pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. The ST-Line Elite and Platinum also add the Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ bundle, which issues adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane centering, and speed sign recognition. These trims also receive front and rear parking sensors, evasive steering assist, and a surround-view monitor.
Every Escape trim has Ford’s proprietary SYNC 4 infotainment system. The Active, ST-Line, and ST-Line Select get an 8-inch touchscreen system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a six-speaker sound unit. In contrast, buyers of the ST-Line Elite and Platinum are spoiled with a 13.2-inch touchscreen and integrated navigation.
Ford offers several desirable upgrade packages for the 2024 Escape. The Tech Pack #1, which is available for the Active, ST-Line, and ST-Line Select, supplies Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ (intelligent adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane centering assist, and speed sign recognition), integrated navigation, evasive steering assist, rear parking sensors, a digital rearview camera, and a 13.2-inch touchscreen with voice recognition.
The Active and ST-Line Select can also be ordered with the Tech Pack #2, which has most of the items from the Tech Pack #1 (Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+, integrated navigation, a 13.2-inch touchscreen with voice recognition, rear parking sensors, and evasive steering assist). On top of those, it includes intersection assist, reverse brake assist, a surround-view monitor, a power-adjustable front passenger’s seat, a premium 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, HD radio, position memory for the driver’s seat and side mirrors, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and a wireless phone charger. The Tech Pack #2 also receives remote start, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, and a heated steering wheel, which can be optioned separately with the available Cold Weather Package for the Active and ST-Line.
The Premium Technology Package for the ST-Line Elite and Platinum provides Active Park Assist 2.0 (Ford’s automatic parking technology), a head-up display, and quilted leather seats with perforation. This package also includes the 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system and HD radio from the Tech Pack #2.
