2017 Ford Escape: First Look
Competes with: Chevrolet Equinox, Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage
Looks like: An Escape with a more modern Ford grille or a Subaru Outback from the front
Drivetrain: 180-horsepower, turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder; 245-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder; 168-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder; six-speed transmission
Hits dealerships: Spring 2017
Ford has restyled its compact Escape SUV for 2017 with a few exterior updates and a lot of changes under the skin.
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Exterior
The Escape features a new, trapezoidal grille with bladed inserts that’s seen on other Ford vehicles. In press materials, the head-on view also resembles a Subaru Outback; we’ll find out whether it still bears such a resemblance once we see it on the floor of the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show.
The rest of the Escape’s styling is largely the same, and in profile it’s hard to tell exactly how it’s changed from the 2016 model. There is, however, a Sport Appearance Package for the SE and Titanium trims, but details on that package are scant.
Interior
The big changes start here, with a new Sync Connect system that uses a smartphone app to control a variety of functions. The app allows drivers to unlock the Escape’s doors, start the engine and locate a vehicle as long as their phone has connectivity. It also gives drivers the option to schedule future engine starts, so if you’re the sort who knows you’re going to want your car running at, say, 7 a.m. Friday, you’re set.
In terms of appearance, Titanium trim level customers can select a medium stone-colored seat to contrast with the black interior if they so choose.
Under the Hood
Ford also makes some major updates here, with two new engines and projected improved fuel economy.
New for 2017 are a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder and a 245-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Both engines feature standard stop-start technology that Ford estimates will improve fuel economy by 4 to 6 percent in stop-and-go traffic. Total fuel economy estimates were not provided, though. Ford says the 1.5-liter four-cylinder is expected to produce 180 hp and 185 pounds-feet of torque, which would give it more horsepower and torque than the current 173-hp, 1.6-liter four-cylinder that makes 184 pounds-feet of torque in the 2016 Escape.
Ford also says the 168-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine will continue unchanged for 2017. All engines are matched up to a six-speed automatic transmission, with SE and Titanium trim levels using new paddle shifters.
Safety
For 2017, the Escape is loaded with several driver assistance options, including a lane keeping alert system and a lane keeping aid that will steer a car back into a lane when it senses the driver is drifting. A driver alert system uses data from the lane keeping system to determine if a driver is fatigued and warn the driver through the instrument cluster.
