2025 Ford Escape

small SUV / 4-door SUV

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front
Moderate overlap front: updated test
Side: original test
Side: updated test

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle 2.0
Standard system

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Seat belt reminders
LATCH ease of use	+

Other available safety features

Standard blind spot detection
Standard lane departure warning & prevention
Standard rear automatic braking

Key

G
Good
A
Acceptable
M
Marginal
P
Poor

Superior
Advanced
Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front

The small overlap front evaluation consists of a driver-side and a passenger-side component. If the results of the two evaluations differ, then the combined small overlap rating is equal to the lower rating.

Driver-side

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Ford Escape SE 4-door 4wd

The Ford Escape was redesigned for the 2020 model year, and the Lincoln Corsair was introduced in the same model year. The Corsair replaces the Lincoln MKC.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall driver-side evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

The driver's space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN1910
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	2
Footrest (cm)	2
Left toepan (cm)	1
Brake pedal (cm)	1
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	1
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	1
Upper dash (cm)	1
Lower instrument panel (cm)	1

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN1910
Head
HIC-15	80
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm)	15
Maximum Nij	0.23
Chest maximum compression (mm)	24
Femur (kN)
Left	0.1
Right	0.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.42
Right	0.33
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.1
Right	0.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	43
Right	19

Passenger-side

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Ford Escape SE 4-door 4wd

The Ford Escape was redesigned for the 2020 model year, and the Lincoln Corsair was introduced in the same model year. The Corsair replaces the Lincoln MKC. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Ford.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall passenger-side evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1931
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	7
Footrest (cm)	4
Right toepan (cm)	8
Center toepan (cm)	1
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	0
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	6
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	9
Upper dash (cm)	9
Right lower dash (cm)	8

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1931
Head
HIC-15	78
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm)	11
Maximum Nij	0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm)	21
Femur (kN)
Left	1.0
Right	4.8
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	2
Right	4
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	3
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.29
Right	0.39
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	0.9
Right	0.7
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	75
Right	52

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1931
Head
HIC-15	72
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm)	7
Maximum Nij	0.16
Chest maximum compression (mm)	25
Femur (kN)
Left	0.0
Right	0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.44
Right	0.21
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	0.2
Right	0.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	19
Right	36

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: updated test

Rating applies to 2022-25 models built after May 2022

Tested vehicle: 2022 Ford Escape SE 4-door 4wd

The Ford Escape was redesigned for the 2020 model year. Beginning with 2022 Escape models built after May 2022, improvements were made to the rear seatbelt to improve rear occupant protection in moderate overlap front crashes (Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the driver door or adjacent B-pillar).

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh/hip
Leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh
Rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics

View of the vehicle after the crash showing the airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

The rear passenger dummy's head approached the front seatback, which increases the risk of head injuries.

Rear passenger dummy injury values indicate a low risk of injury to the head or neck and chest. During the crash, the shoulder belt remained in an ideal position on the dummy’s chest.

The rear passenger dummy's lap belt remained in the ideal position on the pelvis.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2226
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	3
Left (cm)	4
Center (cm)	6
Right (cm)	4
Brake pedal (cm)	3
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0
Right (cm)	0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	-1
Rearward (cm)	-3
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2226
Head
HIC-15	122
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm)	9
Maximum Nij	0.23
Chest maximum compression (mm)	27
Femur (kN)
Left	0.3
Right	0.4
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.25
Right	0.34
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.7
Right	1.3
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	47
Right	91

Test ID	CEF2226
Head
HIC-15 for head contact during forward excursion	no contact
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.8
Compression (kN)	0.3
Maximum Nij for head contact during forward excursion	no contact
Chest
Chest index	32
Shoulder belt tension (kN)	4.5
Thigh (kN)
Left femur compression	0.1
Right femur compression	0.1

About the moderate overlap front test

February 2024 adjustment to rating criteria

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Ford Escape SE 4-door 4wd

The Ford Escape was redesigned for the 2020 model year, and the Lincoln Corsair was introduced in the same model year. The Corsair replaces the Lincoln MKC. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Ford.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection

Technical measurements for this test

Test ID	VTS1922
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-22.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS1922
Head HIC-15	193
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.8
Compression (kN)	0.5
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	45
Lateral force (kN)	1.7
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	38
Average deflection (mm)	34
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	4.06
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.78
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	1.0
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.6
Combined force (kN)	2.6
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.2
L-M moment (Nm)	71
A-P moment (Nm)	26

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS1922
Head HIC-15	108
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.4
Compression (kN)	0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	37
Lateral force (kN)	1.2
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	32
Average deflection (mm)	27
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	1.89
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.27
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	0.5
Acetabulum force (kN)	2.4
Combined force (kN)	2.4
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.1
L-M moment (Nm)	80
A-P moment (Nm)	17

About the original side crash test

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Ford Escape S 4-door 4wd

The Ford Escape was redesigned for the 2020 model year, and the Lincoln Corsair was introduced in the same model year. The Corsair replaces the Lincoln MKC.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Driver head protection The dummy's head moved downward past the side curtain airbag and struck the window sill of the driver door hard, while the head was in proximity to the intruding barrier. Although the barrier did not hit the dummy's head in this test, this near miss indicates that only slightly different crash circumstances could produce a direct hit to a person's head. The head protection is inadequate.
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Rear passenger head protection

View of the vehicle just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows that the driver dummy's head moved downward, past the side curtain airbag, and contacted the window sill (inset).

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbags.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2105
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-17.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2105
Head
HIC-15	391
Peak gs at hard contact	93
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.7
Compression (kN)	0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	28
Lateral force (kN)	1.0
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	45
Average deflection (mm)	39
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	3.66
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.64
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	5.2

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2105
Head
HIC-15	168
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.9
Compression (kN)	0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	39
Lateral force (kN)	1.7
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	38
Average deflection (mm)	35
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	2.34
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.41
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	4.9

About the side crash test

Headlights

Trim level(s)

Platinum trim
ST-Line Elite trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was fair on the sharp left and both right curves and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves and fair on both left curves.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	Platinum trim ST-Line Elite trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2023-25 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	99.4 m	None
Straightaway left edge	56.2 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	56.9 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	51.3 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	53.6 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	47.2 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	169.0 m
Straightaway left edge	114.5 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	84.1 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	71.5 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	70.2 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	60.7 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle 2.0

Rating applies to all 2023-25 models

System details

standard Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking

Overall evaluation

Passenger car target

Test run	Speed reduction	Timely warning?
31 mph/target centered	Collision avoided
31 mph/target off-center	Collision avoided
37 mph/target centered	33 mph
37 mph/target off-center	26 mph
43 mph/target centered	25 mph
43 mph/target off-center	22 mph

Motorcycle target

Test run	Speed reduction	Timely warning?
31 mph/target centered	Collision avoided
31 mph/target off-center	Collision avoided
37 mph/target centered	28 mph
37 mph/target off-center	25 mph
43 mph/target centered	24 mph
43 mph/target off-center	24 mph

Semitrailer

Only warning is tested with the semitrailer.

Test run	Timely warning?
31 mph/target centered
37 mph/target centered
43 mph/target centered

About the front crash prevention test

Seat belt reminders

Rating applies to 2023-25 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Front row
Unbelted occupant alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
Duration	Long enough (90+ seconds)
Volume
Audio frequency
Second row
Startup status alert (visual)
Initiation time
Duration at least 60 seconds
Belt disengaged alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
Duration at least 30 seconds
Volume
Audio frequency

Technical measurements for this test

About the seat belt reminder evaluation

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation	+ extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trim	SE
Seat type	cloth

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor and the ability to borrow lower anchors from the other seating positions.

Note: When anchors are borrowed, they aren't available to use in their designated positions.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation	+ extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trim	SE
Seat type	cloth

Rating icon	Rating
G	Good
A	Acceptable
M	Marginal
P	Poor
	Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol	Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol	Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol	Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
	No hardware available

Details by seating position

Position	Rating
1
1	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
2
2	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	Can be borrowed from 1 and 3
3
3	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors

Technical measurements for this test

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	74
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	74
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Lower latch is shared for this seat position
Lower anchor B
Lower latch is shared for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	1
Clearance angle (degrees)	63
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	1
Clearance angle (degrees)	75
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation

Background cabin sound pressure level at 24 km/h	52 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 24 km/h	66 dB
Difference between background and signal	13.2 dB
Background cabin sound pressure level at 40 km/h	56 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 40 km/h	64 dB
Difference between background and signal	8.8 dB
Dominant audio frequency	736 Hz