Here’s the TL;DR: It’s a new-for-2020, Lincoln-ized version of the Ford Escape. The standard engine is the turbo 2.0-liter four (250 horsepower), while our tester had the 2.3: 280 horsepower along with 310 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engines come mated to a new eight-speed automatic.
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I have to admit, it took me a few moments to get it in gear. Console shifter like a normal car? Nope. Knob like some others? Not here. Maybe a column shifter like a Benz? Now the wipers are going.
Ah, there they are, a row of buttons in the center stack: P, R, N, D. Put me down as not a fan. The traditional tactile feel is gone. No more clicking it into gear. You have to look: “Yep, that’s drive.”
Bring back the stick, take 2.
Okay, now to actually drive it. As expected, it feels like a fancy Escape. Plenty of power but some weird drivetrain action–like, it almost feels like a hybrid in that there’s some disconnect. Some wind noise, too, and the seats felt rather hard.
So, let’s talk dollars. Looks like the model line starts right at $35,000, with the upmarket Reserve costing at least $42,000. By the time you add the 2.3-liter engine and all-wheel drive, that figure crosses the $50,000 threshold.
If you need a premium badge and are shopping on a budget, maybe this one makes sense. For me, the math just doesn’t work.
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