This family SUV is a solid second-hand buy

The Ford Escape, launched in 2020 as the fourth-generation Escape (ZH model), is presented as a solid second-hand option, even with a mixed reputation in how it was marketed. The vehicle is described as essentially a third-generation Ford Kuga engineered in Germany and built in Spain, with a five-seat mid-sized SUV layout. Powertrains vary by version: most non-PHEV variants use a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 183kW, paired with an eight-speed automatic. The PHEV uses a normally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder plus an electric motor for 167kW, driving via a CVT. The article notes performance is a key strength due to strong torque, but warns of reliability checks. It says post-2020 updates addressed prior catastrophic failures linked to an earlier EcoBoost 2.0 engine, while indicating the hybrid Escape has also experienced problems.