The 2019 Ford Escape’s base 2.5L inline-four doesn’t have much kick and ranks below average in fuel economy. The 179-horsepower 1.5L EcoBoost four-cylinder is slightly better but suffers from a design flaw that may result in coolant leakage and, ultimately, engine replacement.
Key Points
- The 2019 Ford Escape offers an underwhelming 2.5L inline-four, a slightly more powerful 1.5L EcoBoost inline-four, and a nimble 2.0L EcoBoost four-cylinder engine.
- The 2.5L motor offered in the base S trim puts out only 168 horsepower and 170 lb.-ft. of torque and struggles to motivate the SUV.
- The 1.5L EcoBoost available on SE and SEL trims has a slightly better output and stretches fuel economy from 24 combined mpg to 26.
- Offered on the Titanium trim, the 2.0L EcoBoost boasts 245 horsepower and 275 lb.-ft. of torque while keeping the fuel consumption rate at up to 25 combined mpg.
- Ultimately, the 2.0L EcoBoost engine takes the cake. The motor delivers the best combination of power and efficiency and has few reported owner complaints.
2019 Ford Escape’s Standard 2.5L Inline-four Offers Sparse Specs and Below-average Fuel Economy
The last model year of the third-generation Ford Escape offers a naturally-aspirated 2.5L inline-four engine as standard on the base S trim. The motor is the weakest of the bunch and is only available with a front-wheel-drive configuration.
With only 168 horsepower and 170 lb.-ft. of torque, the standard four-cylinder engine reportedly doesn’t feel swift while accelerating on the highway.
EPA-estimated fuel consumption rates for the base engine sit at 21 miles per gallon in the city and 20 on the highway (24 combined). These numbers put the Ford Explorer S trim on the less fuel-efficient side of the spectrum between 30 other compact SUVs from 2019.
Escape’s rival, the 2019 Chevrolet Blazer base L trim, delivers 193 horsepower and 188 lb.-ft. of torque while offering a similar fuel consumption rate.
Escape’s 179-horsepower 1.5L EcoBoost Inline-four is Slightly More Powerful than the Base Engine, but Still Not Ideal
Featured on the Ford Escape’s SE and SEL trims, the 1.5L turbocharged inline-four is a slightly more powerful engine than the base model. The motor offers 179 horsepower and 177 lb.-ft. of torque while stretching the fuel consumption rates.
The front-wheel-drive gets 23 miles to the gallon in the city and 30 on the highway (26 combined). Opting for the all-wheel-drive model would result in two combined mpg less (22 city/28 highway). These units still fall short of some other popular compact SUVs on the market.
Despite the 11 additional horsepower and extra seven lb.-ft. of torque, the 1.5L EcoBoost engine reportedly fails to provide adequate power. After testing the same powertrain on a 2017 model, Car and Driver called the 1.5L inline-four “lethargic.”
“There’s an off-the-line throttle lag as the driver waits for the turbocharger to work its magic, but that’s not a problem with the 2.0-liter engine,” says Car and Driver.
2.0L EcoBoost Engine Available for Escape’s Titanium Trim Boasts 245 Horsepower and Offers Up to 25 mpg Combined
The most potent engine available for the 2019 Ford Escape is a 2.0L EcoBoost inline-four, but you’ll have to upgrade to the Titanium trim to have it. With 245 horsepower and 275 lb.-ft. of torque, the 2.0L feels significantly more powerful and torquier behind the wheel than other motors.
With front-wheel drive, you can expect up to 25 combined mpg (22 in the city/29 on the highway). For a more engaging driving experience, the all-wheel-drive option compromises two combined mpg (21 city/27 highway).
The Escape’s maximum towing capacity sits at 3,500 pounds, similar to many other compact SUVs, meaning you can tow a small camper trailer, a fiberglass fishing boat, or two motorcycles.
Like other engines in the 2019 Ford Escape, the 2.0L EcoBoost is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. On a popular Ford Escape forum, some owners complained about rough downshifts and transmission lags between second and the third gear.
The best way to avoid a transmission overhaul on an Escape is to drain and refill the transmission fluid regularly based on Ford’s suggested maintenance schedule.
More than Half of Registered Owner Complaints About the 2019 Escape Relate to the Powertrain
The 2019 Ford Escape has only one recall registered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and is sandwiched between more problematic model years. The newer 2020 Ford Escape has six recalls and 129 complaints, and the 2018 model has two recalls and 173 complaints.
The 2019 model’s one NHTSA recall doesn’t pertain to anything under the hood, and there are only 78 registered consumer complaints. However, nearly 50 of them are categorized under either “engine” or “powertrain.”
Some of the more common complaints about the engine are over issues with random misfires and stalls, and noxious odors in the cabin of the vehicle.
Many issues concern the 1.5L EcoBoost and relate to coolant leaking into the engine. By the time some owners noticed odd behaviors from the motor, like slowing or jerking, it was already too late, and they had to have the engine swapped with a new one. Some owners noted dealing with this issue only months after purchasing the SUV.
2019 Escape’s 2.0L EcoBoost Offers the Model’s Best Mix of Performance, Fuel Efficiency, and Reliability
2019 Ford Escape shoppers should avoid the underwhelming 1.5L EcoBoost engine. The motor offers meager specs and suffers problems that may lead to the engine needing to be replaced.
The 2.5L four-cylinder available on the base S trim is even less impressive and offers only 168 horsepower and 170 lb.-ft. of torque, making it difficult to recommend to buyers.
The best of the bunch is the 2.0L EcoBoost available in the Titanium trim. It delivers up to 245 horsepower and 275 lb.-ft. of torque while offering only one combined mpg less than the 1.5L engine with front-wheel drive configuration.
Photos: Ford
