Once you become a parent, you become a lot of other things too – a full-time nanny, a chef, a housekeeper, a personal assistant, a nurse… hell, I’ve even caught myself playing the role of an engineer when trying to ascertain why certain obnoxious music toys refuse to light up and blast “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” for the billionth time (pro-tip: always check the batteries first). And while I, of course, wouldn’t trade this multifaceted job for the entire world, I will tell you that the paycheck is lousy and the boss can be extremely temperamental and demanding… especially if he misses his afternoon nap.
So it’s really no wonder that now and then I find myself dreaming of an Escape. And no, I don’t mean an escape, I mean my personal Escape. My 2018 Ford Escape to be precise. After all, the Escape is my backup for my many job roles – and it even allows me to take a little vacation from the kids now and then (I mean, if you count a solo run to Target a vacation, which, if you ask any stay-at-home mom, we absolutely do). Don’t believe me? Read on to find out why my 2018 Ford Escape is the parenting pal I never knew I needed and now couldn’t live without – and then head straight to your local Ford dealership to get yourself your very own Escape.
It’s the Lap of Luxury (and not only because no one is sitting in your lap)
The best thing about the 2018 Ford Escape is that it only seats five passengers. I don’t know who these crazy people are who want to fit up to seven or eight passengers in their car are, but I can promise you, the very last thing I want to do is be the mom who gets to spend every waking moment carting the JV softball team around because I have the most room for the most kids. That being said, the 2018 Ford Escape is no snug ride – in fact, the seats are extremely comfortable, and both front and back seat passengers will enjoy plenty of legroom and personal space – and we all know that once you have young children, personal space becomes an extremely precious commodity.
The 2018 Ford Escape is available in four trim types: the base model S, the SE, the SEL and the Titanium. While all four trims are very well-appointed and extremely comfortable, let’s take a look at the base model S, because let’s face it – most of our children won’t be going full-ride to Harvard and college is expensive. But don’t worry – you won’t feel like you bought the cheap option if you choose to stick with the S – thanks to the SUV’s high-quality features, you’ll still feel like you’re on vacation even when you’re stuck sitting in the school pick-up line. The S comes standard with cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, a CD player, a USB port, a six-speaker stereo system, air conditioning, a 4.2-inch display screen, a rearview backup camera, Ford’s SYNC infotainment interface, automatic headlights and a reclining rear seat – perfect for when you need to head to Costco to buy a three-months worth supply of toilet paper and Goldfish crackers. And thanks to the 2018 Ford Escape S model’s starting price of just $23,850, you’ll be able to splurge on pretty much anything else you could want to own a supersized amount of as well.
Of course, it’s important to take into account that you are now doing the job of approximately a dozen other people. So when you’re deciding what trim type to buy, I suggest you head straight to the top of the trim levels, because girl, for all you do – you’ve earned that Titanium trim. Choose the Titanium trim if cruising around in an SUV with a leather wrapped-steering wheel, leather upholstery and heated, 10-way power adjustable front seats sounds good. Oh, and if you feel as though you’ve always got your hands full, you’ll love the Titanium’s keyless entry and ignition, it’s hands-free power liftgate and its remote start features. Additionally, you’ll enjoy the driver-seat memory settings, the ten-speaker Sony sound system, a navigation system, the HD radio, the 110-volt and the 12-volt power outlets and the ambient interior lighting. There’s also an auto-dimming rearview mirror, xenon headlights, and an automated parking feature – which is especially helpful for those of us who are terrible at both parallel and perpendicular parking. You might be thinking that the 2018 Ford Escape in Titanium is completely out of your budget, but with its starting MSRP of $32,045, its actually an extremely reasonably priced, extremely well-equipped top-tier model. So go ahead, choose the Titanium trim… consider it your Christmas bonus for all of the hard work you do 356 days a year.
Perfect Performance for Parents
Is the 2018 Ford Escape going to rival a Ferrari when it comes to performance? Nope. But is it fun and nippy to cruise around town in? Yep. Available with three engine choices, the 2018 Ford Escape comes standard with a four-cylinder engine that gets up to 168 horsepower with an estimated 21 miles per gallon in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. Sure, it’s not the best fuel economy on the market, but you are driving an SUV – not a Prius. Additionally, you know you’re going to have to pull over for frequent bathroom breaks regardless, so it’s not exactly like stopping at a rest area is going to be an inconvenience. However, if you don’t find the standard engine appealing, there are two others to choose from: the turbocharged 1.5-liter engine that gets 179 horsepower and 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, or the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that gets 245 horsepower and 21 mpg in the city or 28 on the highway. No matter what your preference – speed or fuel economy, there is an ideal engine option just waiting to power your 2018 Ford Escape to your next road trip destination (let’s be honest, it’s probably going to be Disneyland).
The Ford Escape: Escape with Your Family
While this has all been very me-centric, in reality, I wouldn’t trade my family for the world – and while a quick trip to the grocery store on my own is certainly refreshing, flying solo just isn’t my scene. In the end, the 2018 Ford Escape is the perfect car for busy, tired and overworked parents because it offers the perfect opportunity to buckle your little besties in and head out for a fun-filled day in a safe, comfortable and fun-to-drive family-friendly SUV. So sure, escape the monotony of empty the dishwasher and doing homework – but use your Ford Escape and make it a Family Escape.
