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Small crossovers may be practical, but they’re not exactly exciting. Drive several in a row, as we often do during days of testing or as car shoppers might on a particularly exhausting Saturday afternoon, and they can blend together. Many in this compact-SUV class suffer from numb handling, unenthusiastic acceleration, and cheap-feeling interior materials. Happily, the Ford Escape vaults over most of those pitfalls. Both of its available turbocharged engines are sprightly and well mated to its six-speed automatic transmission. The steering is accurate, the ride is smooth, and a recent center-console redesign prioritizes storage space for the various electronic devices we can no longer live without. The Escape isn’t perfect by a long shot; some competitors are more spacious, our favorite engine is only available in the most expensive top trim level, and its turbocharged engines aren’t overly efficient. Still, Ford’s hot-selling compact crossover is a fully realized workhorse that will satisfy a diverse array of drivers. READ MORE ››
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