The Ford Escape is a compact SUV sold by the automaker Ford Motor Company introduced in 2000 as a 2001 model year and priced below the Ford Explorer. Although technically it's a crossover vehicle, it is marketed by Ford as part of its traditional SUV lineup (Escape, Explorer, Expedition) rather than its separate crossover lineup (Edge, Flex). The Escape was sold in Europe as the Ford Maverick.^[2] It was jointly developed with Mazda, in which Ford owned a controlling interest, and was released simultaneously with the Mazda Tribute. In the United States, Ford's Mercury division released a luxury version called the Mariner starting with the 2005 model year, but ended production in October 2010 as Ford ended the Mercury brand.^[3] A hybrid version of the Escape was released in 2004, making it the first hybrid SUV.

The Escape is built on the Ford CD2 platform, which is in turn based on the Mazda GF platform, which was used by the Mazda 626. However, on June 23, 2010, it was announced that Ford will end production on the second generation Escape in 2011 and move production to its Louisville Assembly Plant in Louisville, Kentucky, where it is slated to be succeeded by an American version of its European CUV counterpart, the Ford Kuga.^[4]

Third generation (2013)

Third generation

Production	2012-
Model years	2013-
Assembly	Louisville, Kentucky
Platform	Ford C1 platform
Engine	2.5L I4
Transmission	6-speed automatic
Wheelbase	105.9 in (2,690 mm)
Length	178.1 in (4,524 mm)
Width	72.4 in (1,839 mm)
Height	66.3 in (1,684 mm)
Related	Ford Focus Ford C-Max Mazda3 Ford Kuga

The all-new 2013 Ford Escape was revealed at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show. It will share the same basic platform as the all-new 2012 Ford Focus. Most of its styling derives from the Ford Kuga, which is sold in Europe. Two EcoBoost inline four-cylinder turbocharged engines will be offered. The basic unit will be the 2.0-Liter unit, currently offered in the Ford Edge and Ford Explorer. The new Escape is the first Ford vehicle to offer a new 1.6-Liter unit, soon to be available in the Ford Focus, Ford Fusion, and possibly the Ford Fiesta. In the process of revamping the Escape's engine lineup, both the Hybrid model with its 2.5-Liter Atkinson powertrain and the 3.0-Liter V6 engine will be dropped. Ford claims that the fuel economy of the new 1.6L EcoBoost engine will match that of the current Ford Escape Hybrid, while the new 2.0-Liter engine produces more horsepower than the current V6 unit. The same transmission choices, a six-speed automatic, as well as a Six-Speed Manual, are expected to be offered.

Also new for the 2013 model year is MyFord Touch, which is currently available on many Ford vehicles. The newest software version of the MyFord Touch System, which will offer an all-new UI and additional features.

Another new feature is the optional hands-free liftgate. A person carrying the keyless entry transmitter can raise their foot under the rear bumper of the Escape to remotely open the tailgate. This feature will also be available on the Ford C-Max Hybrid later in the year, and was introduced on that vehicle in Europe.

An eco-friendly interior will also be used in the new Escape. Eco-friendly seat fabrics are standard on lower trim levels, as well as the vehicle's carpeting being mostly constructed from recycled plastic water bottles. This allows the new Escape to be mostly recyclable at the end of its life cycle.

The new Escape will be offered with either front wheel drive or all wheel drive options, and will be offered in Ford Focus-esque trim levels: S, SE, SEL, and the new Titanium model. As mentioned before, no hybrid or V6 models will be offered. Pricing is expected to be similar to the 2012 Ford Escape, and may be lowered for the new model year. The 2013 Ford Escape production is slated to start in early 2012, and will be arriving in Ford showrooms in April. Thus, the production of the 2012 Ford Escape will end in early 2012, with limited availability of the 2012 model year Ford Escape vehicles being available at Ford showrooms.

Sales

The Escape Hybrid is the top selling hybrid in the U.S. manufactured by an American manufacturer, and reached cumulative sales of 106,467 vehicles by December 2010 .^[71]