The New Ford Escape

Even though the Ford Escape is in a highly competitive crossover market, it has come out on top as the most popular and best-selling crossover.  The third generation Escape has received a face lift.  Ford has rolled out changes and improvements to their already number one crossover.

Lets learn more about the Ford Escape.

Price

The Ford Escape is available in 6 different trims.  Below you will find the trims and their MSRP pricing. Keep in mind that with upgrades, the prices do go up.

•  S: $26,080
•  SE: $28,290
•  SE: Sport Hybrid: $29,450
•  SEL: $30,450
•  Titanium Hybrid: $34,595
•  Titanium: $37,880

Size Classification

The Ford Escape is compact crossover SUV situated at the low end of Ford’s series of crossovers and SUVs, regarding size.  The Edge (mid-size crossover), the Flex (full-size crossover), the Explorer (full-size crossover), and the Expedition (full-size SUV) are all above it in ascending order.

Performance

The Ford Escape has 4 different engine options:

1.  2.5L – 2.5L iVCT Atkinson Cycle I-4 Hybrid
   1. Drive Type – Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)or Intelligent AWD
   2. Transmission Type – eCVT
   3. Horsepower (SAE net@rpm) – 165 @ 6,250 ^**
   4. Torque (lb.-ft.@rpm) – 155 @ 4,000 ^**
   5. EPA-Estimated Ratings FWD (Actual mileage will vary) – 44 City/37 HWY/ 41 combined
   6. EPA-Estimated Ratings AWD (Actual mileage will vary) – 43 City/37 HWY/ 40 combined
2. 2.5L – 2.5L iVCT Atkinson Cycle I-4 Plug-In Hybrid
   1. Drive Type – Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)
   2. Transmission Type – eCVT
   3. Horsepower (SAE net@rpm) –165 @ 6,250^**
   4. Torque (lb.-ft.@rpm) – 155 @ 4,000^**
   5. EPA-Estimated Ratings FWD (Actual mileage will vary) – 44 City/37 HWY/ 41 combined
   6. EPA-Estimated Ratings AWD (Actual mileage will vary) – 43 City/37 HWY/ 40 combined
3. 1.5L EcoBoost^{®  _}  1.5L Ti-VCT GTDI I-3
   1. Drive Type – Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) or optional Intelligent AWD
   2. Transmission Type – 8-speed Automatic Transmission
   3. Horsepower (SAE net@rpm) – 181 @ 6,000 rpm^*
   4. Torque (lb.-ft.@rpm) – 190 @ 3,000 rpm^*
   5. EPA-Estimated Ratings FWD (Actual mileage will vary) –  27 City/33 HWY/ 30 combined
   6. EPA-Estimated Ratings AWD (Actual mileage will vary) –  26 City/31 HWY/28 combined mpg
4. 2.0L EcoBoost^{® _} 2.0L Ti-VCT GTDI I-4
   1. Drive Type – Intelligent AWD
   2. Transmission Type – 8-speed Automatic Transmission with SelectShift^®   with Paddle shifters
   3. Horsepower (SAE net@rpm) – 250 @ 5,500 rpm^*
   4. Torque (lb.-ft.@rpm) – 280 @ 3,000 rpm^*
   5. EPA-Estimated Ratings FWD (Actual mileage will vary) – 
   6.  27 City/33 HWY/ 30 combined
   7. EPA-Estimated Ratings AWD (Actual mileage will vary) –  26 City/31 HWY/28 combined mpg
   8. EPA-Estimated Ratings AWD (Actual mileage will vary) – 23 City/31 HWY/26 combined mpg

Features

The Ford Escape comes with a lot of desirable features.  Read below to learn of what it has to offer.

Interior

• Cloth front bucket seats
• 10-way Power Driver seat with Front Row Heat Open image overlay for 10-way Power Driver seat with Front Row Heat
• 4-way Manual Passenger Seat
• Map pocket, passenger seat-back
• Second-Row Sliding Seats, 60/40 Split-Fold Down
• Electronic Automatic Temperature Control with rear air duct
• Overhead Console with Sunglasses Storage
• Center floor console with armrest
• Cup holders, 8 total
• Driver’s Side Footrest
• Carpeted floor mats, first and second row
• Coat hooks (2), second row
• Grab handles, Front Passenger. Second Row-two
• Ice Blue^® Instrument Panel Cluster Lighting
• Message center and trip computer
• 4.2” Instrument Cluster
• Compass
• Second Row Dome Light
• Front Map Lights
• Manual day/night rearview mirror
• Urethane steering wheel with cruise and audio controls, manual tilt and telescoping steering column
• Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors (Driver and Front Passenger)
• Rotary gear shift dial
• Selectable Drive Mode
• Powerpoints – three (3) – Front of Center Console, Rear of Center Console and Cargo Area
• Power Windows with Driver’s Front One-Touch Down (Driver’s Only)
• Autolamp (Automatic On/Off) with Headlamp Courtesy Delay
• Intelligent Access with Push-Button Start
• Outside temperature display
• Center Console with Convenient Media Bin
• Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking
• Lane-Keeping System
• BLIS^® with Cross-Traffic Alert

Exterior

• Door Handles – Body Color
• LED Signature Lighting
• Upper Grille-Black Mesh Chrome Surround
• Skid Plates – Molded-in-Color Silver, Front and Rear
• Black molded-in-color lower bodyside cladding
• Manual liftgate
• Front variable intermittent/continuous wipers with washer
• Mirrors, Sideview Caps – Gloss Body Color
• Mirrors, Sideview – Heated Glass
• Chrome Upper Window Molding with Black Beltline Molding
• Configurable Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
• Black Roof Rack Side Rails
• Privacy Glass – 2nd Row Side and Liftgate
• Body-color rear spoiler
• Dual chrome exhaust tips
• Rear Fixed-intermittent/continuous wiper/washer

Seating and Space

The new Ford Escape was designed to seat a maximum of 5 passengers, which is great for small to midsize families.

The SE trim has 10-way powered adjustable positions for the driver’s seat.  The titanium trim offers leather upholstery on both front seats, 10-way power adjustable seat positions, and it also provides a memory driver’s-seat-positioning system.  You can get up to 68 cubic feet of cargo space if you fold down the back seats

Infotainment

The new Ford Escape has the following features:

• six-speaker stereo system
• CD player
• MP3 playback ability, an
• AM/FM radio tuner,
• Controls on the steering whee
• SYNC® (in-vehicle communications system) allows you to perform functions like making hands-free phone calls and playing music with the use of voice commands. It
• Sirius subscription is available on the SE trim
• SYNC® 3 available in the Titanium trim ( allows remote access from your smartphone)

Comfort and Convenience

If you want dual-zone automatic climate control HVAC control, then you need to choose the Ford Escape’s SE trim.  Added on to the Titanium trim are a remote start system, push-button engine start, a transceiver for remotely opening and closing garage doors, and auto-dimming on the rear view mirror to tame lights behind you.

Safety Features

To keep you protected from serious harm in an collision, the Ford Escape has the following features:

• Roof-mounted side curtain airbags
• Front impact airbags
• Driver’s knee airbag
• Front seat-mounted side impact airbags
• Rear view camera for reverse driving monitoring
• SOS post-crash alert system
• Automated Curve Control system for slowing you down when coming to a curve on a wet or dry road
• AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control™) for retaining or maintaining electronic vehicle stability.
• MyKey to allow controlled use with a configurable key as well as
• SecuriLock® which deters potential thieves.
• SecuriCode™ keyless-entry keypad (available on the  SE or Titanium)
• Perimeter alarm (available on the Titanium)

Competition

With its fuel efficiency, great interior space, and projected reliability, the Ford Escape is praised as an all-round compact crossover SUV.  The Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucsan, are the main rivals of the Ford Escape.  Its competition is known for remarkable safety test scores and well-balanced handling.

Pros And Cons

Cons

• The Ford Escape is not the top of its class because of its base engine.
• Other cars in its class (i.e. Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4) have more spacious interiors.

Pros

• It is one of the stronger offerings in the compact crossover market
• Unique features like the turbocharged engine
• Lots of tech amenities

Final Thought

The Ford Escape.  If you are still on the fence about whether it is the right car for you, then you should visit a dealership.  You can get more information about the Escape and take it for a test drive.