2013’s The Bad 8 – Ford Escape Titanium AWD

Generally speaking, the second-generation Ford Escape’s deficiencies are minor. It’s perhaps a bit small in the back. The user interface isn’t the most intuitive. Styling, though clean and classy enough, is cute where it should be muscular. 

Overall, the efficient powertrains and modern on-road dynamics are more than enough to make the Escape one of the two most popular utility vehicles in North America. At $27,780 USD, the front-wheel-drive Escape SEL is priced nicely, too.

However, Ford wanted the Escape to cover all bases, even the base where Lincoln should reside. From a low of $22,470, the Escape can climb to $32,945 before options. With White Platinum paint, a panoramic roof, full leather, and Ford’s famed parking technology package, the all-wheel-drive Escape Titanium is a $38,235 vehicle in the United States, just $1310 less than Lincoln’s MKX. In Canada, a loaded Titanium AWD Escape costs $42,999, 12.5% more than it does in the U.S. despite the fact that a basic Escape costs less in Canada.

Premium badging isn’t everything in this world, not when you can have a mainstream brand vehicle with ridiculous levels of equipment. But the idea of a $35,900 Audi Q5, $38,500 BMW X3 xDrive28i, $37,090 Mercedes-Benz GLK350, or a roomy $39,310 Lexus RX350 has me questioning the appeal of a $38,235 Escape. I’ve managed to do the parking myself so far. And in the future, I’d rather park a Q5 than have an Escape park for me.

Alternatives: The $30,275 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0T AWD comes to mind. For customers who feel they should be spending $40K on a new crossover, more space and superior refinement can be enjoyed elsewhere, even inside a Ford showroom.

Base USD/CAD Price: $32,945 / $37,499

It Sucks, But… You can have an Escape and spend a lot less. That’s good news for Blue Oval fans.

Sales Stats: The Escape is routinely Canada’s best-selling SUV, month after month. In the U.S., the Escape generally ranks as the first or second-best-selling SUV.

Kia Rio 5-Door – Fiat 500 Turbo – Volkswagen Golf GTI
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited – Dodge Ram – BMW 328i
Ford F-150 SVT Raptor – Chevrolet Suburban –
Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic Wagon – Porsche Boxster S – 
Porsche Cayenne S – Land Rover Range Rover

The Bad 8

Chevrolet Spark – Chrysler 200 Convertible –
Ford Escape Titanium AWD – Honda Crosstour – 
Lincoln MKS – Nissan Versa Sedan –
Toyota Corolla CE – Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid

The Bad 8 Rules