2015 Ford Escape S — Carivo review carivo.co
SUV

2015 Ford Escape S

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $25,432–$33,626
Fuel Economy 21 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category SUV
Est. Annual Fuel $2,500/yr

Key Specifications — 2015 Ford Escape S

Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSUV
Base Price$25,432–$33,626

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2015 Ford Escape S

The 2015 Ford Escape S is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.0/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.1/10, while Performance at 6.2/10 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. At 6.8/10 for reliability, this suv trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 8.1/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Performance at 6.2/10 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 6.6/10 — 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 $25,432–$33,626, 21 MPG, seating 5, the Ford Escape S sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. At 7.1/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 11 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Verdict: The 2015 Ford Escape S sits in the middle of the field. Until its reliability and technology and performance scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.

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 →

How It Ranks Among SUVs

The 2015 Ford Escape S ranks #2010 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 18% of the segment. Its 7.0/10 overall score is 0.4 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $25,432 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 30%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →

Which Escape S Year Should You Buy?

Across the Escape S model years we've scored, the 2015 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2025 7.5/10$35,883 Read review →
2024 7.4/10$34,839 Read review →
2023 7.4/10$33,793 Read review →
2022 7.4/10$32,748 Read review →
2021 7.2/10$31,703 Read review →
2020 7.2/10$30,657 Read review →
2019 7.2/10$29,612 Read review →
2018 7.1/10$28,567 Read review →
2017 7.1/10$27,522 Read review →
2016 7.1/10$26,477 Read review →
2015 (this review) 7.0/10$25,432

Pros & Cons — 2015 Ford Escape S

✓ What it does well

  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well

✗ Where it falls short

  • Reliability scores are mid-pack; some owners report higher-than-expected maintenance needs
  • Performance is a genuine liability — well below class rivals and worth factoring into any decision
  • Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra
  • Fuel economy at 21 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly

More Ford Reviews

Explore the full lineup of Ford models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.