The seats are slimmed down and firmed up, which may not be everyone's taste we're in their camp, fans of the long-distance support they offer. An inch of room in front is now granted to the folks in back. The Escape's larger than before, but passenger space isn't changed much. The cockpit has its fair share of grey glossy plastic and tangential styling themes on the balance, it's exciting, not chaotic. The running-shoe styling only wears thin at the front, where the skinny grille and gaping air inlets need to find some common ground and call a truce. The performance pairs well with the Escape's new track suit. On the Escape Titanium we drove, ride and handling were the ideal counterparts for the turbo's dartlike power we can't think of a single compact crossover that steers with more precision or tamps down ride motions as smartly as the Escape, except maybe the 155-hp Mazda CX-5. All versions come with a six-speed automatic all are estimated at more than 30 mpg in highway fuel economy. At the peak of power is a 2.0-liter turbo four with 240 hp, estimated at 0-60 mph in under 8.0 seconds. The base engine's a carryover 2.5-liter four meant for fleets, while the mainstream choice is a 178-horsepower, 1.6-liter turbo four with straight-line acceleration competitive with its chief rivals, the Honda CR-V and four-cylinder Toyota RAV4.

In escaping its own past, Ford's compact crossover turns first to a trio of four-cylinders to replace its former four- and six-cylinder engines and the much-loved but discontinued Ford Escape Hybrid.

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