luv4zion: 2013 Ford Escape

Saturday, November 19, 2011

2013 Ford Escape

With the new 2013 Ford Escape, we’re seeing a complete transformation from rugged and boxy to urban and swoopy. After so many years looking at the same basic Ford Escape compact crossover shape, we’re glad to see the automaker change anything at all. Eschewing traditional styling on the 2012 Escape for the 2013 Escape’s Focus-like sheetmetal is probably a good move, but will the styling age as well as that of the outgoing model?

Refreshing or Revolting: 2013 Ford Escape imageFrom the front, the 2013 Escape SUV is instantly recognizable as related to the Ford Focus thanks to those huge, gaping black trim pieces on the lower front fascia. The 2012 Escape pictured at right has far more chrome on the grille, plus the word “Escape” on the left side of the bumper. The upright grille is completely different from the gradually rising hood of the 2013 Escape.

Headlights of the 2013 Escape crossover wrap onto the side of the vehicle, which now sports side vents and a more complex top-of-the-line wheel design. A character line running through the door handles is new, as is the blacked-out C-pillar. You’ve seen the upward swoop of the chrome window trim on the Focus and Fiesta five-door hatchbacks.

Refreshing or Revolting: 2013 Ford Escape imageUnlike the rear of the 2012 Escape, you can see more than just varying rectangles on the back of the 2013 Escape. The 2013 Ford’s curved rear windshield shape is a nice touch, as is the silver diffuser panel.

From inside, the 2013 Ford Escape appears to be a two-generation leap from the 2012 Escape’s cabin. A brighter and more engaging instrument cluster is new on the 2013 Escape, and the navigation display screen has been pushed higher on the center stack. Even the shapes of the outer air vents on the 2013 Escape are more interesting than the ones in the outgoing Escape.

With which Ford crossover would you rather escape the city? Has Ford improved the styling of the Escape for 2013? Tell us what you think in the comments section below.

Refreshing or Revolting: 2013 Ford Escape imageLast week, Ford’s three-row Flex crossover received no consensus on its design. A few comments described the 2013 Flex as more modern. Pax260 said the 2013 Flex was an upgrade: “Front end is more creative and less generic. Dash and steering wheel also an improvement.”

“I like how they put the FLEX in large letters on the hood too,” dozerama said. “However, I still believe that keeping the Ford Blue Oval would be a wiser decision.”