The 2021 Ford Escape Se marks a significant model year in the Escape’s generation, bringing with it a suite of safety features and redesigned elements. For prospective car owners prioritizing safety, understanding the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) ratings is crucial. This comprehensive guide delves into the 2021 Ford Escape SE’s performance in various IIHS crash tests, providing an in-depth analysis of its safety strengths and areas for potential improvement.
Small Overlap Front: Driver-Side Assessment
The driver-side small overlap front test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end on the driver’s side impacts an object. This test is particularly demanding as it bypasses the main energy-absorbing structures of the car.
Driver-Side Performance: Achieving Top “Good” Rating
The 2021 Ford Escape SE showcased a robust safety cage and structural integrity, earning a “Good” rating in structure and safety cage. Crucially, all driver injury measures – head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot – also received “Good” ratings. The driver restraints and dummy kinematics were also evaluated as “Good”, indicating effective occupant protection systems.
Action shot from the IIHS driver-side small overlap test of the 2021 Ford Escape SE, demonstrating vehicle deformation.
Post-crash analysis of the dummy’s position relative to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel confirmed that the driver’s survival space was exceptionally well maintained. This is a critical factor in minimizing injury risk in real-world accidents.
Post-crash dummy positioning in the 2021 Ford Escape SE driver-side small overlap test, showing excellent survival space maintenance.
The frontal and side curtain airbags demonstrated effective coordination in preventing the dummy’s head from making contact with rigid structures or external objects, further contributing to the high safety rating.
Airbag deployment effectiveness in the 2021 Ford Escape SE small overlap test, illustrating head protection.
Lower extremity injury risks were also low, as indicated by the maintained driver’s space and favorable dummy leg and feet injury measurements.
Assessment of leg and foot injury risk in the 2021 Ford Escape SE driver-side small overlap test, highlighting low risk.
Technical Measurements: Driver-Side Small Overlap
Detailed technical measurements from the driver-side small overlap test provide granular insights into the vehicle’s performance:
| Measurement Category | Metric | Value (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Occupant Compartment Intrusion | Lower hinge pillar max | 2 |
| Footrest | 2 | |
| Left toepan | 1 | |
| Brake pedal | 1 | |
| Rocker panel lateral average | 1 | |
| Upper Occupant Compartment Intrusion | Steering column | 0 |
| Upper hinge pillar max | 1 | |
| Upper dash | 1 | |
| Lower instrument panel | 1 |
Driver Injury Measures:
| Injury Metric | Measurement | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Head | HIC-15 | 80 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | No Contact | |
| Neck | Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 15 | |
| Maximum Nij | 0.23 | |
| Chest | Maximum compression (mm) | 24 |
| Femur (Left) | Force (kN) | 0.1 |
| Femur (Right) | Force (kN) | 0.0 |
| Knee Displacement (Left) | Displacement (mm) | 1 |
| Knee Displacement (Right) | Displacement (mm) | 2 |
| Knee-Thigh-Hip Injury Risk (Left) | Risk (%) | 0 |
| Knee-Thigh-Hip Injury Risk (Right) | Risk (%) | 0 |
| Maximum Tibia Index (Left) | Index | 0.42 |
| Maximum Tibia Index (Right) | Index | 0.33 |
| Tibia Axial Force (Left) | Force (kN) | 1.1 |
| Tibia Axial Force (Right) | Force (kN) | 0.1 |
| Foot Acceleration (Left) | Acceleration (g) | 43 |
| Foot Acceleration (Right) | Acceleration (g) | 19 |
Small Overlap Front: Passenger-Side Evaluation
The passenger-side small overlap test mirrors the driver-side test but assesses the vehicle’s structural performance and occupant protection on the passenger side.
Passenger-Side Performance: Overall “Good” Rating
The 2021 Ford Escape SE achieved an overall “Good” rating in the passenger-side small overlap test. While the structure and safety cage received an “Acceptable” rating, all passenger injury measures (head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot) and passenger restraints were rated “Good”. Notably, driver injury measures were also assessed and received “Good” ratings across the board in this passenger-side test scenario, indicating consistent protection for both front occupants.
Technical Measurements: Passenger-Side Small Overlap
Detailed technical measurements for the passenger-side small overlap test are as follows:
| Measurement Category | Metric | Value (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Occupant Compartment Intrusion | Lower hinge pillar max | 7 |
| Footrest | 4 | |
| Right toepan | 8 | |
| Center toepan | 1 | |
| Rocker panel lateral average | 0 | |
| Upper Occupant Compartment Intrusion | Center dash | 6 |
| Upper hinge pillar max | 9 | |
| Upper dash | 9 | |
| Right lower dash | 8 |
Passenger Injury Measures:
| Injury Metric | Measurement | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Head | HIC-15 | 78 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | No Contact | |
| Neck | Tension (kN) | 0.8 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 11 | |
| Maximum Nij | 0.20 | |
| Chest | Maximum compression (mm) | 21 |
| Femur (Left) | Force (kN) | 1.0 |
| Femur (Right) | Force (kN) | 4.8 |
| Knee Displacement (Left) | Displacement (mm) | 2 |
| Knee Displacement (Right) | Displacement (mm) | 4 |
| Knee-Thigh-Hip Injury Risk (Left) | Risk (%) | 0 |
| Knee-Thigh-Hip Injury Risk (Right) | Risk (%) | 3 |
| Maximum Tibia Index (Left) | Index | 0.29 |
| Maximum Tibia Index (Right) | Index | 0.39 |
| Tibia Axial Force (Left) | Force (kN) | 0.9 |
| Tibia Axial Force (Right) | Force (kN) | 0.7 |
| Foot Acceleration (Left) | Acceleration (g) | 75 |
| Foot Acceleration (Right) | Acceleration (g) | 52 |
Driver Injury Measures (Passenger-Side Test):
| Injury Metric | Measurement | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Head | HIC-15 | 72 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | No Contact | |
| Neck | Tension (kN) | 0.8 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 7 | |
| Maximum Nij | 0.16 | |
| Chest | Maximum compression (mm) | 25 |
| Femur (Left) | Force (kN) | 0.0 |
| Femur (Right) | Force (kN) | 0.1 |
| Knee Displacement (Left) | Displacement (mm) | 1 |
| Knee Displacement (Right) | Displacement (mm) | 1 |
| Knee-Thigh-Hip Injury Risk (Left) | Risk (%) | 0 |
| Knee-Thigh-Hip Injury Risk (Right) | Risk (%) | 0 |
| Maximum Tibia Index (Left) | Index | 0.44 |
| Maximum Tibia Index (Right) | Index | 0.21 |
| Tibia Axial Force (Left) | Force (kN) | 0.2 |
| Tibia Axial Force (Right) | Force (kN) | 0.2 |
| Foot Acceleration (Left) | Acceleration (g) | 19 |
| Foot Acceleration (Right) | Acceleration (g) | 36 |
Moderate Overlap Front: Original and Updated Tests
The moderate overlap front test evaluates vehicle safety when a significant portion of the front end impacts a deformable barrier. IIHS conducts both original and updated versions of this test.
Original Moderate Overlap Front Test: “Good” Rating
In the original moderate overlap front test, the 2021 Ford Escape SE achieved a “Good” overall rating. Structure and safety cage, driver injury measures (head/neck, chest, leg/foot), and driver restraints all received “Good” ratings.
Technical Measurements: Original Moderate Overlap Front Test
Key technical measurements from the original moderate overlap front test are presented below:
| Measurement Category | Metric | Value (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| Footwell Intrusion | Footrest | 3 |
| Left | 6 | |
| Center | 5 | |
| Right | 4 | |
| Brake pedal | 7 | |
| Instrument Panel Rearward Movement | Left | -1 |
| Right | 0 | |
| Steering Column Movement | Upward | -1 |
| Rearward | -1 | |
| A-pillar Rearward Movement | 0 |
Driver Injury Measures:
| Injury Metric | Measurement | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Head | HIC-15 | 276 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | No Contact | |
| Neck | Tension (kN) | 0.8 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 8 | |
| Maximum Nij | 0.23 | |
| Chest | Maximum compression (mm) | 25 |
| Femur (Left) | Force (kN) | 0.4 |
| Femur (Right) | Force (kN) | 0.5 |
| Knee Displacement (Left) | Displacement (mm) | 1 |
| Knee Displacement (Right) | Displacement (mm) | 1 |
| Maximum Tibia Index (Left) | Index | 0.25 |
| Maximum Tibia Index (Right) | Index | 0.34 |
| Tibia Axial Force (Left) | Force (kN) | 1.9 |
| Tibia Axial Force (Right) | Force (kN) | 2.5 |
| Foot Acceleration (Left) | Acceleration (g) | 57 |
| Foot Acceleration (Right) | Acceleration (g) | 67 |
Updated Moderate Overlap Front Test: “Acceptable” Rating
The updated moderate overlap front test introduces a rear passenger dummy to assess rear occupant protection. In this more stringent test, the 2021 Ford Escape S (similar to SE trim in safety features) received an “Acceptable” overall rating. While structure and safety cage and driver injury measures remained “Good”, the rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics received a “Marginal” rating, impacting the overall score.
Vehicle damage following the IIHS updated moderate overlap front test of the 2021 Ford Escape, showing occupant compartment integrity.
The rear passenger dummy’s head approached the front seatback closely, indicating a potential elevated risk of head injuries in this scenario.
Rear passenger dummy head excursion in the updated moderate overlap test, showing proximity to the front seatback.
Despite the head proximity concern, rear passenger dummy injury values for head/neck and chest indicated low injury risks. The shoulder belt remained in an ideal position.
Injury metrics for the rear passenger dummy in the updated moderate overlap test of the 2021 Ford Escape, showing generally low risk.
However, the lap belt moved from the ideal pelvic position to the abdomen, increasing the potential for abdominal injuries in rear passengers.
Lap belt displacement on the rear passenger dummy in the updated moderate overlap test of the 2021 Ford Escape, indicating potential abdominal injury risk.
Technical Measurements: Updated Moderate Overlap Front Test
Driver Injury Measures (Updated Test):
| Injury Metric | Measurement | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Head | HIC-15 | 116 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | No Contact | |
| Neck | Tension (kN) | 0.8 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 9 | |
| Maximum Nij | 0.22 | |
| Chest | Maximum compression (mm) | 29 |
| Femur (Left) | Force (kN) | 0.6 |
| Femur (Right) | Force (kN) | 0.3 |
| Knee Displacement (Left) | Displacement (mm) | 1 |
| Knee Displacement (Right) | Displacement (mm) | 1 |
| Knee-Thigh-Hip Injury Risk (Left) | Risk (%) | 0 |
| Knee-Thigh-Hip Injury Risk (Right) | Risk (%) | 0 |
| Maximum Tibia Index (Left) | Index | 0.25 |
| Maximum Tibia Index (Right) | Index | 0.38 |
| Tibia Axial Force (Left) | Force (kN) | 1.9 |
| Tibia Axial Force (Right) | Force (kN) | 1.5 |
| Foot Acceleration (Left) | Acceleration (g) | 45 |
| Foot Acceleration (Right) | Acceleration (g) | 44 |
Rear Passenger Injury Measures (Updated Test):
| Injury Metric | Measurement | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Head | HIC-15 (forward excursion) | No Contact |
| Peak gs at hard contact | No Contact | |
| Neck | Tension (kN) | 1.7 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.6 | |
| Maximum Nij (forward excursion) | No Contact | |
| Chest | Chest index | 33 |
| Shoulder belt tension (kN) | 4.2 | |
| Femur (Left) | Compression (kN) | 0.3 |
| Femur (Right) | Compression (kN) | 0.1 |
Side Crash Tests: Original and Updated Assessments
Side impact crashes are a significant safety concern. IIHS evaluates side crash protection through original and updated tests, with the updated test being more rigorous.
Original Side Crash Test: “Good” Rating
The 2021 Ford Escape SE earned a “Good” overall rating in the original side crash test. Structure and safety cage, driver injury measures (head/neck, torso, pelvis/leg), driver head protection, rear passenger injury measures, and rear passenger head protection all received “Good” ratings.
Technical Measurements: Original Side Crash Test
Technical data from the original side crash test is detailed below:
Driver Injury Measures (Original Test):
| Injury Metric | Measurement | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Head | HIC-15 | 193 |
| Neck | Tension (kN) | 1.8 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.5 | |
| Shoulder | Lateral deflection (mm) | 45 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.7 | |
| Torso | Maximum deflection (mm) | 38 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 34 | |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 4.06 | |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.78 | |
| Pelvis | Iliac force (kN) | 1.0 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.6 | |
| Combined force (kN) | 2.6 | |
| Left Femur | L-M force (kN) | 0.2 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 71 | |
| A-P moment (Nm) | 26 |
Passenger Injury Measures (Original Test):
| Injury Metric | Measurement | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Head | HIC-15 | 108 |
| Neck | Tension (kN) | 0.4 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.1 | |
| Shoulder | Lateral deflection (mm) | 37 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.2 | |
| Torso | Maximum deflection (mm) | 32 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 27 | |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 1.89 | |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.27 | |
| Pelvis | Iliac force (kN) | 0.5 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 2.4 | |
| Combined force (kN) | 2.4 | |
| Left Femur | L-M force (kN) | 0.1 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 80 | |
| A-P moment (Nm) | 17 |
Updated Side Crash Test: “Marginal” Rating
In the more challenging updated side crash test, the 2021 Ford Escape S received a “Marginal” overall rating. While structure and safety cage earned an “Acceptable” rating, and rear passenger protection remained strong (“Good” for head protection, “Acceptable” for torso and pelvis), driver injury measures for torso and pelvis were “Marginal”. Critically, driver head protection was also rated “Marginal”.
Vehicle condition after the IIHS updated side crash test of the 2021 Ford Escape, showing side impact damage.
Side airbag deployment and occupant compartment damage in the 2021 Ford Escape after the updated side crash test.
Analysis revealed that the driver dummy’s head moved downwards past the side curtain airbag and struck the window sill, indicating inadequate head protection in this more severe side impact scenario.
Grease paint marking on the window sill indicating driver dummy head contact in the updated side crash test of the 2021 Ford Escape, showing head protection deficiency.
In contrast, the rear passenger dummy’s head was well-protected by the side airbags.
Grease paint marking confirming rear passenger head protection by side airbags in the updated side crash test of the 2021 Ford Escape.
Technical Measurements: Updated Side Crash Test
Driver Injury Measures (Updated Test):
| Injury Metric | Measurement | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Head | HIC-15 | 391 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | 93 | |
| Neck | Tension (kN) | 1.7 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.1 | |
| Shoulder | Lateral deflection (mm) | 28 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.0 | |
| Torso | Maximum deflection (mm) | 45 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 39 | |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 3.66 | |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.64 | |
| Pelvis | Combined force (kN) | 5.2 |
Passenger Injury Measures (Updated Test):
| Injury Metric | Measurement | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Head | HIC-15 | 168 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | No Contact | |
| Neck | Tension (kN) | 0.9 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.2 | |
| Shoulder | Lateral deflection (mm) | 39 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.7 | |
| Torso | Maximum deflection (mm) | 38 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 35 | |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 2.34 | |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.41 | |
| Pelvis | Combined force (kN) | 4.9 |
Roof Strength Test: “Good” Rating
Roof strength is vital in rollover accidents. The 2021 Ford Escape SE demonstrated a “Good” roof strength rating.
| Roof Strength Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Curb weight | 3,480 lbs |
| Peak force | 19,700 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 5.66 |
Head Restraints & Seats: “Good” Rating
оценивает защиту от хлыстовых травм шеи. The 2021 Ford Escape SE’s head restraints and seats received a “Good” overall rating, indicating effective whiplash protection in rear-end collisions.
| Head Restraints & Seats Metric | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Dynamic rating | G |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | G |
Headlights: Mixed Ratings Based on Trim
Headlight performance is crucial for nighttime safety. The 2021 Ford Escape SE’s headlight rating varies depending on the trim level.
Titanium Trim Headlights: “Acceptable” Rating
The Titanium trim, equipped with LED reflector headlights, achieved an “Acceptable” overall rating.
S, SE, SE Sport Hybrid, SEL Trim Headlights: “Marginal” Rating
Lower trims (S, SE, SE Sport Hybrid, SEL) with Halogen projector headlights received a “Marginal” rating, indicating less effective illumination.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle and Pedestrian
Front crash prevention systems are increasingly important for mitigating accidents. The 2021 Ford Escape SE offers standard and optional systems.
Vehicle-to-Vehicle Front Crash Prevention: “Superior” Rating
Both the standard and optional Pre-Collision Assist systems earned a “Superior” rating in vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention. The system successfully avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests.
Pedestrian Front Crash Prevention: “Superior” and “Advanced” Ratings
The standard system achieved a “Superior” rating in pedestrian front crash prevention, while the optional system received an “Advanced” rating. Both systems demonstrated effectiveness in avoiding or mitigating collisions with pedestrians in various scenarios (crossing child, crossing adult, parallel adult).
Seat Belt Reminders: “Poor” Rating
Seat belt reminders are essential safety features. However, the 2021 Ford Escape SE’s seat belt reminder system received a “Poor” overall rating, primarily due to negligible audible alert duration in the front row.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH): “Good+” Rating
Child seat anchor ease of use is critical for child passenger safety. The 2021 Ford Escape SE’s LATCH system received a “Good+” rating for ease of use, with extra LATCH positions, indicating high convenience for installing child safety seats.
Conclusion: 2021 Ford Escape SE Safety Performance
The 2021 Ford Escape SE demonstrates a strong safety performance in many IIHS crash tests, particularly in front crash scenarios. It achieves “Good” ratings in driver-side small overlap, original moderate overlap, roof strength, head restraints & seats, and child seat anchors. Vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention is “Superior”.
However, the updated moderate overlap front test resulted in an “Acceptable” rating due to rear passenger protection concerns, and the updated side crash test yielded a “Marginal” rating due to driver head protection issues. Headlight ratings are trim-dependent, with lower trims receiving a “Marginal” rating. The seat belt reminder system is rated “Poor”.
Overall, the 2021 Ford Escape SE offers a solid level of safety, especially for front occupants in frontal crashes. However, potential buyers should be aware of the “Marginal” rating in the updated side crash test and “Acceptable” rating in updated moderate overlap test, and consider the headlight performance based on trim level. Prioritizing trims with LED headlights and understanding the limitations in side impact scenarios are important considerations for safety-conscious buyers.
