I know this thread is old but just a little new info.
I have been looking into the new Escape for a while now.
As it turns out, Ford has still not put out an Escape ST, at least as of yet.
However, the offered 2.0L EcoBoost is the same engine as the Focus ST.
I agree that no SUV will ever provide the handling like a FiST .
The Escape does have a lot of pep and is very comfortable.
It does give the option of much more room to those that need it and the price is a hell of a lot less then the Edge or Explorer STs.
I have been looking into the new Escape for a while now.
As it turns out, Ford has still not put out an Escape ST, at least as of yet.
However, the offered 2.0L EcoBoost is the same engine as the Focus ST.
I agree that no SUV will ever provide the handling like a FiST .
The Escape does have a lot of pep and is very comfortable.
It does give the option of much more room to those that need it and the price is a hell of a lot less then the Edge or Explorer STs.