The Ford Escape is a compact crossover that is not to be overlooked. It’s a serious competitor to the well-established leaders in this segment like the Chevrolet Equinox and Toyota RAV4. Not only is it affordable and just-right sized, but there are four engine options, two of which are hybrids.

The Escape has four distinct trims; S, SE, SEL, and Titanium. The top three trims are available with a conventional hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Let’s take a closer look at all four trims of the 2022 Ford Escape and see which one is right for you.

2022 Ford Escape S (Starting at $25,555)

The base Ford Escape has an attractive starting price, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best value. Standard features are sparse, but you get the basics you would expect from any new car like cruise control, Bluetooth audio, a backup camera, and power windows.

One standard feature that’s rare in this class is sliding second-row seats. This feature allows you to optimize your interior for more seating space, more cargo space, or whatever variation works for you.

The Ford Co-Pilot360 safety tech suite comes standard on the Escape S. It includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic high-beams. Those are nice features to have, but some rivals are more generous with standard safety tech.

There are very few options available for the S model. It’s only available with the base 1.5-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine. You pick whether you want AWD, you have the option of upgrading to 17-inch aluminum wheels, and that’s about it.

After the $1,245 destination fee that comes with every Ford Escape, the Escape S has a starting price of $26,800. With a 60-month loan at 3% interest with no trade-in or down-payment, the monthly payment for a base Escape S would be $482. See 2022 Ford Escape S models for sale

2022 Ford Escape S includes:

• Ford Co-Pilot360 — This standard safety tech suite includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams.
• Wi-Fi hotspot — The standard infotainment system comes with 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capability.
• Sliding back seats — An uncommon feature in this class allows customizing space for passengers and cargo.
• Available AWD — All-wheel drive is a great feature to have if you live in a snowy climate.

2022 Ford Escape SE (Starting at $27,035)

The SE trim adds some nice standard features to the Ford Escape. It also unlocks several option packages that you can’t get on the base trim. The SE trim is the best value in the Escape lineup for most drivers.

One of the biggest upgrades of the SE trim is the SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch screen. This adds Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability, which are essential connectivity features for any smartphone user. Other tech features include rear USB ports, SiriusXM, and push-button start.

Thanks to tasteful chrome exterior trim, painted door handles, tinted rear windows, and 17-inch aluminum wheels, the Escape SE looks a little nicer than the S model. On the inside, you get upgraded cloth seats and sliding sun visors with vanity mirrors.

An available Convenience Package for the SE trim adds various handy features. These include a power driver’s seat, a power liftgate, a rear center armrest, projector headlights with LED signature lighting, and dual-zone automatic climate control.

One option package we highly recommend is Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+. This adds more useful driver assistance tech features, including full-speed adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, speed sign recognition, and navigation.

An available Cold Weather Package adds heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, remote start, and automatic climate control. An available SE Sport Appearance Package adds 19-inch wheels and gloss black exterior trim giving the Escape a sportier look.

The SE trim is where the conventional hybrid and plug-in hybrid drivetrains become available.

With an auto loan with a 60-month term at 3% interest, the payment on an Escape SE would be $508/month. That number can go up if you opt for one of the hybrid powertrain options, all-wheel drive, or one of the several available option packages. See 2022 Ford Escape SE models for sale

2022 Ford Escape SE includes:

• SYNC 3 — This intuitive infotainment system has an 8-inch screen loaded with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
• Aluminum wheels — Standard aluminum wheels give the Escape a sleek look.
• Rear USB ports — Your back seat passengers can keep their devices charged with this useful feature.
• Available hybrid powertrain — This is a great value in hybrid compact SUVs.

2022 Ford Escape SEL (Starting at $29,505)

The Ford Escape SEL is equipped similarly to the SE model with the Convenience Package and Cold Weather Package. It also comes standard with ActiveX faux leather seats, 18-inch machine-face aluminum wheels, and fog lamps.

This trim is where the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine becomes available. This engine gives the Escape a nice boost in performance, making it more exciting to drive while still returning good fuel economy. Every Escape equipped with a 2.0-liter engine also comes with all-wheel drive.

The Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ system is available on the SEL trim like it is on the SE. There’s also a Technology Package available that adds a 10-way power driver’s seat with lumbar control, a B&O 10-speaker premium audio system, a hands-free power liftgate, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a memory package, and a wireless charging pad.

There’s a Stealth Package available exclusively for the Escape SEL equipped with a 2.0-liter engine. It’s an appearance package with lots of gloss black exterior trim, 19-inch machined-face Ebony-painted wheels, Miko suede seat inserts, and special floor mats.

The Escape SEL has a monthly payment of $553 with a 60-month loan at 3% interest before adding any options. See 2022 Ford Escape SEL models for sale

2022 Ford Escape SEL includes:

• Available 2.0L engine — This engine turns up the performance of the Escape with 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque.
• Power liftgate — After living with this handy feature, you won’t know how you lived without it.
• Remote start — This is a useful feature for warming up your car on a cold morning.
• Heated seats — Heated seats are a must if you live in a cold climate.

2022 Ford Escape Titanium (Starting at $35,890)

The top Titanium trim of the Ford Escape is stylish and well-appointed. For starters, it comes standard with the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine available in the SEL model. That also means that it comes standard with all-wheel drive unless you get a hybrid.

The Escape Titanium comes standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ system plus front parking sensors and rain-sensing wipers. You also get more tech features like a universal garage door opener, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, ambient interior lighting, a memory package, power front seats with lumbar support for the driver, a hands-free power liftgate, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

Some features adding to the styling of the Escape exclusive to the Titanium model include 19-inch wheels with Dark Tarnish-painted pockets, more chrome exterior trim, black roof rack side rails, and unique interior accents.

The available Elite Package truly pushes the Escape into luxury territory. It adds many features, including a unique grille and wheels, silver front and rear skid plates, Active Park Assist 2.0, a B&O 10-speaker premium audio system, a head-up display, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, perforated leather upholstery, a wireless charging pad, and HD radio.

The Escape Titanium has a payment of $667/month with a 60-month loan at 3% interest. See 2022 Ford Escape Titanium models for sale

2022 Ford Escape Titanium includes:

• Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ — This advanced safety tech suite comes standard on the Titanium trim.
• Digital gauge cluster — This customizable screen gives the Escape a more premium feel.
• Hands-free power liftgate — Wave your foot under the rear bumper to open or close the liftgate.
• Available Elite Package — This option package adds tons of premium features like a head-up display, Active Park Assist 2.0, wireless charging, and more.