Not so long ago, I was in the market for a new family SUV. What a weird feeling — looking at all the vehicles around me like I’d never seen them before. What does everybody else drive? How did they narrow down their options? Are they happy with their choice? Can someone just tell me what I need?

There really ought to be some kind of Car Sorting Hat to decide these things. But the truth is, most parents want a lot of the same features. We want to get places quickly (with minimal toddler meltdowns). We want technology that actually helps us. And we want a vehicle that makes our lives easier (and more enjoyable). Interestingly enough, the new 2020 Ford Escape has all the features we need.

What sort of features exactly? Glad you asked.

#1: EFFICIENT PERFORMANCE

The new 2020 Escape has a choice of a Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid and two EcoBoost engines with Auto Start-Stop technology. Did you know you actually don’t have to give up power and convenience when you own a hybrid? And the new Selectable Drive Modes are awesome for handling different road surfaces with improved stability and traction (hello, winter!). Plus, the available All-Wheel Drive (AWD) / AWD Disconnect can automatically adjust when the system detects that AWD isn’t needed, which not only makes life easier on your car, but can help to save fuel. Yay!

#2: SMART TECHNOLOGY 

The Ford Co-Pilot360™ is the car’s driver-assist system, and it is not kidding around. This advanced suite of standard technologies includes BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-Traffic Alert (handy when you have a rear-facing car seat in the back that affects your blind spot), Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, Auto High-Beam Headlamps, Lane-Keeping System, and Rear-View Camera. You know how important the people you’re driving around are.

Another feature that is totally winning me over? Available Active Park Assist 2.0. It makes parallel or perpendicular parking easier — by making it practically automatic! Yes, we live in the future. Once this feature is engaged, all steering, shifting, brake and accelerator controls are performed by the system. Active Park Assist 2.0 can also exit a parallel parking spot. Incredibly cool.

#3: UNPARALLELED FLEXIBILITY 

New Sliding Second Row Seats on the 2020 model make it easier to load up whatever you’re carrying, you won’t even think twice about transporting the dog crate, sports gear, luggage, or flat-pack furniture for the nursery. No more wondering, “Do we have room for the car seats and all of our stuff?” We sure do. So it’s easier to make weekend plans, and it’s also easier to arrive on time, because the available Heads Up Display can project things like directions onto a screen right in front of the steering wheel. I don’t even have to turn my head. I appreciate that kind of thing.

Take a closer look at the 2020 Ford Escape — I’m glad I did.