AC

In this city of inclusion, where dot-commers, fashionistas and bedraggled street denizens share the same fog-shrouded hillsides and stunning views, there's one arrival that never felt welcome: a boxy, fuel-gulping sport-utility vehicle. So perhaps it's fitting that Ford chose the city of the Golden Gate as the place to introduce its completely transformed Escape compact crossover to America. Far from the squared-off, purposeful SUV looks of the current generation, the body of the 2013 Escape is a sculptor's playground of complex curves, creases and swooshes. It's as if Ford Motor came to San Francisco seeking artistic validation. Sure, the new model gets a boost in fuel economy, an entertaining leg-activated tailgate and rear seats that are easier to fold down. But those features pale compared with the change to a more car-like appearance. The looks carry over to the road, where Escape is a sweet driving experience — precise, quiet and lacking SUV sway, roll or clunkiness. While...