carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $30,295–$39,143 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2024 Ford Escape at 7.4/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.5/10, while Performance at 6.5/10 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 7.2/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The 8.5/10 safety score puts it near the top of the class on this dimension; the official trim-level results at nhtsa.gov are worth a final check.
Performance at 6.5/10 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 $30,295–$39,143, 30 MPG, seating 5, the Ford Escape sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. The 7.8/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 2 years old, it's recent enough that the core feature set holds up well against current competition.
Our take: The 2024 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 2024 Ford Escape ranks #1166 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 53% of the segment. Its 7.4/10 overall score is exactly at the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $30,295 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 16%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2021 Ford Escape scores 7.2/10 — within striking distance of the 2024's 7.4 — 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 (this review) | 7.4/10 | $30,295 | |
| 2023 | 7.4/10 | $29,386 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.4/10 | $28,477 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.2/10 | $27,568 | Read review → |
| 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.
| Forward collision avoidance / adaptive cruise control 14/06/2024 · 24V440000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Escape two-wheel drive vehicles equipped with adaptive cruise control. The cruise control radar module was misaligned during production. |
|---|---|
| Fuel system, gasoline / Fuel injection system / Injectors 23/08/2024 · 24V634000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Lincoln Corsair, 2023-2024 Escape, 2024 Mustang, and 2025 Explorer vehicles. The fuel injectors may have been assembled without O-ring support discs, which can result in a fuel leak. |
| Equipment / Other / Labels 08/11/2024 · 24V852000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these… |
| Electrical system / instrument cluster/panel 08/11/2024 · 24V850000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Escape vehicles. The passenger side instrument panel cover may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with… |
| Electrical system / Propulsion system / Traction battery / Management system/energy control module (bms/becm) 20/12/2024 · 24V954000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ford Escape, and 2021-2024 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure. |
Showing 5 of 8 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
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