Jasper, Alberta – What better way to spend seat time with the new 2017 Ford Escape Titanium – with updated design cues and more tech – than a drive through the mountains on fun, twisty roads?
When Ford first introduced the compact Escape back in 2000, the small SUV segment accounted for only 18% of the industry, making way for its gas-guzzling, behemoth counterparts popular at the time. Fast forward to today, the compact utilities are dominating the market fuelled by cash-flush Millennials (yes, they have money) and Boomers (…whom the Millennials recently passed in numbers).
Add the automakers’ unrelenting push to produce them, and we’ve got a fairly saturated segment of small crossovers, from affordable volume-selling models to luxury. The best part is that consumers have plenty of options now—and that’s always a good thing.
More Rugged Design and New Escape Titanium Interior
The design receives some welcome tweaks for 2017 including a more rugged front and rear appearance – now more inline with the larger, sleeker Ford Edge. The headlights and taillights are restyled; the SE and top-line Titanium models (seen here) now come with an optional Sport Appearance package; plus, new wheel options.
Inside, the 2017 Escape retains that progressive look but now includes more storage capacity for things like cell phones – overall, better usability lacking in the outgoing model. Other changes include a redesigned centre-console; a new gear shifter location; and an electronic e-brake replacing the manual, old-school version.
The cabin is also quieter (Ford claims the new Escape is the quietest CUV in the segment).
Cabin Tech
These days, you can’t have a refresh without the latest technology and connectivity, and loads of it. The 2017 Escape includes nearly a dozen hardware upgrades; gone is the Ford MyTouch, replaced by the new, faster Sync3 with the Sync Connect app, allowing driver to lock/unlock, locate, and start the engine, amongst other things, using a smartphone.
New tech includes adaptive cruise control, heated steering wheel, lane-keeping aid, lane departure warning, and a driver alert system with blind spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert. Other new technology includes Siri seamless integration, AppleLink, enhanced voice recognition, and blind spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, to name a few.
New EcoBoost Engines
EcoBoost 1.5L Engine
- Inline-4 configuration
- Turbocharged
- Horsepower: 179 hp
- Torque: 177 lb-ft
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic
- Towing Capacity: Up to 2,000 lbs
- Features Auto Start/Stop for improved efficiency
EcoBoost 2.0L Engine
- Inline-4 configuration
- Twin-scroll Turbocharged
- Horsepower: 245 hp
- Torque: 275 lb-ft
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic
- Towing Capacity: Up to 3,500 lbs with Class II Towing Package
- Features Auto Start/Stop for improved efficiency
Two new EcoBoost engines are now offered with the Escape, including a 1.5-litre and a twin scroll 2.0-litre. The EcoBoosts come with the new Auto Start/Stop, shutting the engine off when sitting idle – a great, handy addition that helps boost efficiency.
Takeaway
The new iteration of the Escape is a good one, with a nice design refresh, more cargo and capacity in the cabin, new EcoBoost engines with the standard auto start/stop (SE and Titanium models), and more technology and connectivity for both driver and passengers.
It’s no surprise the popular Escape has been Ford’s second-best-selling vehicle in Canada (followed by the F-150 pickup). From Millennials to Boomers to small families, the 2017 Escape has grown into a well-rounded compact crossover that’ll certainly appeal to a wide group of consumers. From grocery runs to road trips.
2017 Ford Escape Titanium pictures:
