I have a 2018 base model Escape with 101K miles on it. I was in a minor accident right before I went to FL in December and so I got a rental. It had Apple Car Play. That means your phone display was duplicated on a touch screen display on the dash. Much easier to see map app that way and control for music, etc.
My Escape doesn’t have Car Play. Just a tiny little screen for radio and Bluetooth for phone calls and steaming music. I fell in love with Car Play. My iPhone sits in a cup holder in the Escape. I did some googling yesterday and found it’s possible to retrofit to add a touch screen display. There are some mods that have to be made as I don’t current have a touch screen, but it’s not impossible. The touch screen display module itself is about $300. Unknown how much for installation. There’s a well regarded local appliance/electronics store (ABT) that sells the display and does installation. Escape is currently in the shop for accident repairs (they couldn’t take me until mid-March), but once I have it back, I’m going to ABT to see about doing this.
This will make me want to keep the Escape longer. This is the only thing I wish I had on it. If I replaced it, I’d probably go with a Subaru Crosstrek like many WI diving friends have. I’d be looking at $30K to get one with the winter package. Escape is about paid off. Big difference.