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The grab in the Escape’s brakes came just before a stop. That leads me to believe that it was related to the transition between the of the hybrid system and the conventional hydraulic braking system that it has (as every other vehicle does). I say it shouldn’t completely push you away from the Escape because you may learn to drive around it. Or not even notice it. But it does need to be mentioned.

A bouncy suspension exaggerates the effect. When the Escape finally reaches a stop, the nose of the vehicle pops quickly up to level. Snapping my head back the other way.

The bouncy suspension is more bothersome when you’re driving. It results in bigger heaves when you drive over dips or humps in the road. And it makes the rear of the Escape feel like it’s firing upwards over bumps.

This suspension tuning isn’t linked to the ST-Line model I’m driving, as that grade means cosmetic changes, not differences underneath. It’s also how loads of other Ford models are tuned lately, and I’ve experienced that same bounciness, especially in the rear, in the Ranger, Mustang Mach-E, and F-150. As none of those vehicles share any mechanical parts, it seems to be a decision from Ford’s engineering team.

If the ride doesn’t bother you, or if you only drive on smooth roads, the experience becomes much nicer.

The rest of the Escape is a great package.

Ford was the first to bring a hybrid crossover to market, and this latest model shows that the company knows what it is doing. The system has 192 horsepower (hp).

Escape Hybrid’s power delivery is great from a stop and it’s good on the highway. The engine doesn’t make any unpleasant noises unless you’re keeping your foot planted for a very long time.

It also delivers fuel economy that soundly thrashes most subcompact cars. The official rating is six litres/100 km combined, which ties the and beats the . I saw mid-fives, which is extremely impressive.

A tall roof and low floor mean abundant interior space with a tall and wide door opening making it easy to get in and out of the Escape. Rear-seat headroom is also generous for the class, plus it has adjustable rear legroom.

The Escape’s rear seats slide around 150 mm. Slide them back for maximum legroom or forward for maximum cargo space. Or slide one side forward so your front passenger has easier access to a child seat in the back but the older kid on the other side can’t kick you. The flexibility is wonderful, and it sets the Escape apart in a very crowded field.

Some automakers are leaning toward making their affordable models feel as thought these are luxury cars. Ford seems to have taken a different path with Escape, but it’s one that families might like a lot more.

Ford’s materials aren’t soft, but they feel like they’ll last forever. I can’t vouch for actual performance over the long term, but I’d bet they’ll handle spills, crumbs, and life better than the fancy pants options at the same price.

Escape offers two screen sizes, an eight-inch model or the 13.4-inch display in my test unit. Both use the same Sync4 operating system that gives you quick and responsive performance. They also both have the wireless versions of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, so you don’t need to spring for the bigger screen unless you just want more display. Or built-in navigation.

Pick the big display and the climate controls are all on-screen. This is normally a problem, but Ford did something smart: the controls are always present on that lower line. Plus they work, and do what you ask. The small screen has conventional dials and buttons.

If you’re not bothered by the ride, the Escape has excellent fuel economy, a massive interior, and a well-laid-out cabin. The materials might not be as premium as some others, but neither is the price.

Which makes the Escape hybrid an appealing family ride.