carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $27,568–$34,075 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2021 Ford Escape at 7.2/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.3/10, while Performance at 6.3/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We score reliability at 7.1/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 8.3/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.3/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.9/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $27,568–$34,075, 27 MPG, seating 5, the Ford Escape sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. The 7.5/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Our take: The 2021 Ford Escape is a passable suv but not a standout one. Weaknesses in technology and performance hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2021 Ford Escape ranks #1611 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 34% of the segment. Its 7.2/10 overall score is 0.2 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $27,568 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 24%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $35k →
Smart-money pick: the 2018 Ford Escape scores 7.1/10 — within striking distance of the 2021's 7.2 — and starts roughly $2,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.5/10 | $31,203 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.5/10 | $31,203 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.4/10 | $30,295 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.4/10 | $29,386 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.4/10 | $28,477 | Read review → |
| 2021 (this review) | 7.2/10 | $27,568 | |
| 2020 | 7.2/10 | $26,659 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.2/10 | $25,750 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.1/10 | $24,841 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.1/10 | $23,933 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.1/10 | $23,024 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.0/10 | $22,115 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Electrical system / Propulsion system / Traction battery 10/11/2021 · 21V869000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling one 2021 Escape vehicle equipped with a 2.5L hybrid powertrain. The high voltage battery may fail, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power. |
|---|---|
| Fuel system, gasoline / Delivery / Fuel pump / Control/drive module 10/08/2021 · 21V625000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, and 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles. The fuel delivery module may leak inside the fuel tank, causing low fuel pressure which could result in an engine stall. |
| Service brakes, hydraulic / Foundation components / Disc / Caliper 23/11/2021 · 21V922000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco Sport and Escape vehicles. The rear brake linings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can affect braking performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements… |
| Electrical system / Propulsion system / Traction battery 11/03/2022 · 22V149000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Corsair and 2021-2022 Escape vehicles equipped with a 2.5L Hybrid powertrain. The high voltage battery may fail, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power. |
| Engine and engine cooling / Engine / Oil/lubrication 25/03/2022 · 22V191000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. The engine oil separator housing may crack and develop an oil leak. |
Showing 5 of 19 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
We rate the 2021 Ford Escape's reliability 7.1/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 19 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
19 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.2/10 overall, ranking #1611 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 34% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2021 Ford Escape starts at $27,568 and ranges up to $34,075 across trims (MSRP when new). At 27 MPG, expect roughly $1,944/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Ford models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.