Why trade in what you have with only 50K mi on it?  Keeping it seems like the better option no matter what engine the new models have, unless it is rusting out.

It should have at least another 100K mi left in it and if you only manage to put 50K on in FIFTEEN years, a new vehicle for same very light use scenario seems like even more of a waste of money.  Frankly I'd rather have a brand new 2005 Escape made today, than a 2021, but you could split the difference and get a 2nd or 3rd gen used Escape without the funked up engines!

Short answer is 3 cylinder engines work harder and do not last as long.

Betting you will get some replies not favoring those little engines.

This world is really heading down.

3 cylinders bothers me but not as much as it being only 1.5L then turbo'd.  You can counterbalance 3 cylinders and get them running "somewhat" smooth today, but that tiny displacement for a midsized SUV?  No thanks. 

Tech to make it work exists now, but work is loosely used here, that tech to save a little on fuel is going to hurt reliability and repair costs down the road, and it is a buzzy, busy engine you'll need to rev too much to keep up with traffic.  Unacceptable for a new vehicle, unless the target buyer is rental car agencies.

The Escape engine choices now (I3 turbo, I4 turbo, or hybrid) are all very disappointing.  I'd much rather just have (not daydreaming, I mean using existing ford tech) a direct + port injected DOHC 3.5L NON-turbo, or even dropping down to similar with a 3.0L considering the vehicle size, as long as it doesn't have their internal water pump as usual for their transverse 3.5L applications.   Heck, make it a simple, bulletproof 3.0L I4 non-turbo and it'd still be far and away better.  3 cylinders or 4, I don't care nearly as much as any of the rest above.

Anyway, if you really really want a new Escape, get the 2.0L turbo I4, not the least desirable 1.5L I3 which they're probably trying to push because it is the least desirable engine of the 3 offered.

Unfortunately we'll probably be seeing more of this kind of thing as government demands on the car manufacturers become more and more restrictive. We'll be going back to the days when you'd be lucky to even get 100,000 miles on an engine before it needs an overhaul.

I took a trip in the EcoSport which is the smaller version of the Escape. I am a tall fat guy who needs room and I had plenty. The other part I liked about it is that car had a 2.0L natural aspiration engine. NO TURBO. 

The gas milage was stellar. I am going to look into buying one of these. Seriously that is MUCH better than the 3cyl escape. Word to the wise. 

Go look at one and try it. 

But I AGREE with the average opinion here. 50K on you escape? Drive it till its well over 100k or sell it as a private seller. If you trade it in they will export it. Why do you think there are few used cars for sale in USA? They export the toyotas hondas trucks and good cars like escape. Thats why the used car lots are filled with nothing but junk. Escapes will bring a good buck for you as a private sale. 

Truthfully you should just keep it and be happy. IMO

For my knowledge, 

3 cylinder engines make sound like mule.

They unevenly shake like hell.

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