It's interesting that even the 2014 2.5 Fwd Escape 7.5L/100km pretty much matches the Trax 7.4L/100km for hwy mileage with an engine designed in the late 90's... City mileage is much better in the Trax though 8.3 vs 10.9 L/100km, but if you do a lot of hwy driving, I'd probably stick with the old Escape.
I do read the Trax has been built in China for a few years now, so hopefully its reliable at least, and it looks half decent now, and has some cargo space compared to the previous one.
But for me, a 2019 Golf Sportwagen blows the Trax away in every metric, mileage, performance, safety, cargo space, comfort, for the same price. The only thing a Trax has is raised seat height...
The difference is quite a bit.