Ford Escape (2013-2019) review: the crossover Ford stopped supporting in the Gulf
3.1/5MotorsSouq Editorial Team
The 1.6-litre EcoBoost Escape is genuinely good to drive — tauter and more responsive than the segment norm of its generation — and that is precisely why it is frustrating to recommend against. Ford never pushed this nameplate hard in the GCC, dealer stock of specific trim parts is thin, and independent workshops see them rarely enough that diagnostics take longer than they should. Buy one only if you have already found a trusted independent Ford specialist and are pricing the car accordingly low.
Pros
- 1.6L EcoBoost turbo is genuinely punchy with no lag off the line
- Sharper steering and better body control than the segment norm of its generation
- All-wheel drive available on Titanium grade
- Well-isolated cabin for a compact crossover
Cons
- Thin dealer parts stock compared with Explorer or Edge
- Independent workshops see it rarely, so diagnostics take longer
- Turbo cooling system needs full service history proof before buying
- Weak resale value relative to Japanese rivals in the same class
Ford's compact-crossover push in the Gulf has always favoured Edge and, more recently, Territory. Escape slipped through as a smaller-volume side offer, which is a shame because the 1.6-litre EcoBoost car handles with more precision than its Toyota and Nissan-badged rivals from the same era — quicker steering, less body roll, a firmer but well-controlled ride.
The turbo four is the highlight. 178 hp and a torque peak that arrives at 1,750 rpm means it never feels like it is waiting for boost, which matters on a Bahrain on-ramp or overtaking on the causeway approach roads. The six-speed automatic is a conventional torque-converter unit, not a dual-clutch, so it behaves predictably in stop-start Manama traffic.
Ownership reality
This is where the car falls down for Bahrain buyers. Ford's regional dealer network stocks Escape parts thinly compared with Explorer or Edge, and independent workshops that specialise in American-spec Fords see far fewer Escapes than Focuses or Fusions. A failed part that would be a same-day fix on a Explorer can mean a multi-week parts order for an Escape.
Summer testing is where the EcoBoost turbo earns scrutiny: turbocharged engines run hotter under sustained 45°C load, and a neglected cooling system is the single most common reason a used Escape shows up with a check-engine light in July. Buy one with full service history or not at all.
Verdict for a Bahrain buyer
If you find a well-documented, dealer-serviced example and you have already lined up an independent specialist, the driving experience rewards you. If you are shopping this against a Nissan X-Trail or Toyota RAV4 purely on price, the Escape's parts-support gap makes it the riskier buy of the three, even at a lower asking price.