Top Safety PickTop Safety Pick criteria

2021 Ford Escape

small SUV / 4-door SUV

Award applies only to vehicles with specific headlights

2021 Ford Escape 4-door SUV

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Moderate overlap front: updated test
Side: original test
Side: updated test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Standard system
Superior
Optional system
Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Standard system
Superior
Optional system
Advanced

Seat belts & child restraints

Seat belt reminders
LATCH ease of use
+

Other available safety features

  • Standard blind spot detection
  • Standard lane departure warning & prevention

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: 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.

Overall 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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

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

Driver injury measures

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

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: 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.

Overall 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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

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

Passenger injury measures

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

Driver injury measures

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: original test

Rating applies to 2020-24 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. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Ford.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF1921
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 3
Left (cm) 6
Center (cm) 5
Right (cm) 4
Brake pedal (cm) 7
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) -1
Right (cm) 0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -1
Rearward (cm) -1
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF1921
Head
HIC-15 276
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm) 8
Maximum Nij 0.23
Chest maximum compression (mm) 25
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 0.4
Femur force - right (kN) 0.5
Knee displacement - left (mm) 1
Knee displacement - right (mm) 1
Maximum tibia index - left 0.25
Maximum tibia index - right 0.34
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 1.9
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 2.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 57
Right 67

About the original moderate overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: updated test

Rating applies to 2021-22 models built before June 2022

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

The Ford Escape was redesigned for the 2020 model year.

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 moved from the ideal position on the pelvis into the abdomen, increasing the risk of abdominal injuries.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEF2114
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 1
Left (cm) 2
Center (cm) 4
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

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEF2114
Head
HIC-15 116
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm) 9
Maximum Nij 0.22
Chest maximum compression (mm) 29
Femur (kN)
Left 0.6
Right 0.3
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.25
Right 0.38
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.9
Right 1.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 45
Right 44

Rear passenger injury measures

Test ID CEF2114
Head
HIC-15 for head contact during forward excursion
no contact
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.7
Compression (kN) 0.6
Maximum Nij for head contact during forward excursion
no contact
Chest
Chest index 33
Shoulder belt tension (kN) 4.2
Thigh (kN)
Left femur compression 0.3
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.

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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

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.

Driver injury measures

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

Passenger injury measures

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.

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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

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.

Driver injury measures

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

Passenger injury measures

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

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2020-23 models

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

Overall evaluation
Curb weight3,480 lbs
Peak force19,700 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio5.66

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power cloth seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry
Technical measurements for this test
Seat type Power cloth seat
Geometry
Backset (mm) 8
Distance below top of head (mm) 6
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 10.0
Head contact time (ms) 53
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 0
Max neck tension (N) 294

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • Titanium trim
Low-beam headlight typeLED reflector
High-beam headlight typeLED reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit Some glare

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was fair in all 4 tests.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was fair in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on both left curves and on both right curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Titanium trim
Low-beam headlight type LED reflector
High-beam headlight type LED reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2020-22 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 105.1 m 34.8%
Straightaway left edge 61.1 m 34.8%
250m radius right curve, right edge 63.0 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 59.1 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 53.0 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 52.4 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 171.3 m
Straightaway left edge 139.3 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 72.1 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 73.5 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 55.2 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 57.1 m

Trim level(s)

  • S trim
  • SE trim
  • SE Sport Hybrid trim
  • SEL trim
Low-beam headlight typeHalogen projector
High-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was fair on the gradual right and gradual left curves and inadequate on the sharp right and sharp 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
Trim level(s)
  • S trim
  • SE trim
  • SE Sport Hybrid trim
  • SEL trim
Low-beam headlight type Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2020-22 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 76.8 m None
Straightaway left edge 43.7 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 51.1 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 41.4 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 43.4 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 37.6 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 173.6 m
Straightaway left edge 145.0 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 73.4 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 66.0 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 53.2 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 49.5 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

Ratings are given for 2 different trim variations available on this vehicle.

System details

  • Standard Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2020-22 models

Superior
Superior
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

System details

  • Optional Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking

Package name

  • Optional Ford Co-Pilot360™ Assist on SE, SE Sport Hybrid, and SEL
  • standard on Titanium with Ford Co-Pilot360™ Assist+

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2020-22 models

Superior
Superior
with optional equipment
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

Ratings are given for 2 different systems available on this vehicle.

System details

  • standard Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2020-22 models

Superior
Superior

Crossing child

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 22 mph.

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 34 mph. A warning was issued 1.9 seconds before impact.

System details

  • optional Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to 2020-22 models of the following trim lines: SE trim equipped with Ford Co-Pilot Assist package, SE Sport Hybrid trim equipped with Ford Co-Pilot Assist package, SEL trim equipped with Ford Co-Pilot Assist package, Titanium trim

Advanced
Advanced
with optional equipment

Crossing child

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 17 mph.

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 20 mph. A warning was issued 1.9 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Seat belt reminders

Rating applies to 2021-22 models

Overall evaluation
Front row
Unbelted occupant alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
DurationNegligible (under 8 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
Background cabin sound pressure level at 24 km/h 55 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 24 km/h 70 dB
Difference between background and signal 15.2 dB
Background cabin sound pressure level at 40 km/h 57 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 40 km/h 70 dB
Difference between background and signal 13.0 dB
Dominant audio frequency 744 Hz

About the seat belt reminder evaluation

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2020-24 models

Overall evaluation
+
extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trimSE
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.

Overall evaluation
+
extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trimSE
Seat type cloth
1 2 3
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
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

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
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
Can be borrowed from 1 and 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

Seat position 21

3

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

Seat position 22

2

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

Seat position 23

1

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