| 3rd Gen (2015-2016) | 2.5L Duratec I4 / 1.6L EcoBoost I4 / 2.0L EcoBoost I4 (6F35 6-speed) | $550-$800 | 3/5 | 1.6L EcoBoost coolant-intrusion and overheating history - the engine to avoid or to buy only with cooling-system records; AWD power transfer unit runs hot on about a quart of fluid and is a known high-mileage failure; a replacement is a four-figure job; The naturally aspirated 2.5L Duratec is the cheap, boring, reliable choice in these two years | Lowest buy-in - but only with the 2.5L Duratec, or a 1.6L with documented cooling work |
| 3rd Gen refresh (2017-2019) | 2.5L Duratec I4 / 1.5L EcoBoost I4 / 2.0L EcoBoost I4 (6F35 6-speed) | $500-$750 | 4/5 | The 1.5L EcoBoost replaces the troubled 1.6L for 2017 - the single biggest reliability improvement in the generation; Auto stop-start standard on EcoBoost trims puts more cycles on the 12V battery; PTU service is still the AWD watch item; the fluid is not on the normal-duty replacement schedule | The value sweet spot - post-1.6L reliability at used-crossover money |
| 4th Gen (2020-2026) | 1.5L EcoBoost I3 / 2.0L EcoBoost I4 / 2.5L hybrid & PHEV (8F35 8-speed / eCVT) | $500-$800 (early data) | 4/5 | Open fuel-injector fire-risk recall on 2020-2022 1.5L EcoBoost cars (NHTSA 25V467, following 22V859 and 25V165) - free repair, check the VIN; Earlier campaigns 22V484 / 23V380 covered engine oil and fuel vapour reaching hot surfaces - verify both are closed on any used car; The 2.5L hybrid and PHEV avoid the turbo entirely and use regenerative braking, which stretches pad life | The hybrid - lowest running cost in the range and no turbo to worry about |