Apr 27, 2017, 00:00 AM by Paul Immediato

Debuting for the 2001 model year, the Ford Escape was once referred to as the “Baby Explorer”. Now, five years into its third generation, Escape is firmly entrenched as Ford’s No. 2 nameplate behind only the F-Series.

Significantly updated for the 2017 model year, Escape now features more of what Ford says its customers told them they really wanted.

Manufactured at Louisville Assembly Plant in Louisville, Kentucky with a unitized welded steel body, Escape has tweaked its exterior demeanor to create a more confident, rugged persona. The redesigned hood and raised hexagonal grille replaces the old trapezoid, and slimmer headlamps look sexy. In the rear, the liftgate is more upright and pleasing, and the taillamps have also been slimmed.

Inside, a new push-button electronic parking brake replaces the large hand-actuated parking brake, and the gear shifter has been repositioned rearward for improved access to climate controls on the center stack. The redesigned steering wheel is more ergonomic and the center armrest is more comfortable, combining with the other changes for a greater feel of spaciousness.

The 2017 Ford Escape has also updated its engines, replacing a 1.6-liter engine with a new turbocharged 1.5-liter EcoBoost® I-4, and it has added 5 hp to its 2.0-liter EcoBoost® four-cylinder engine. Additionally, Escape is the first Ford vehicle to make Auto Start-Stop technology standard.

The new Escape also features available SYNC® Connect mobile access, which allows owners to use the FordPass® smartphone platform to start, lock, unlock and locate their vehicle.

The 2017 Escape continues in its compact crossover footprint at 178.1 inches in length, 66.3 inches in height and 72.4 inches in width on a 105.9-inch wheelbase. Minimum running ground clearance is 7.9 inches and Escape has a curb weight of 3765 lbs. for its 2.0-liter powerplant and 4WD. When properly equipped, Escape can tow 3500 lbs.

Escape’s engine choices include the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter iVCT inline-4 engine that delivers 168hp and 170 lbs-ft of torque with sequential multiport electronic fuel injection. For the economy minded, a direct-injection 1.5-liter EcoBoost® I-4 with Auto Start-Stop is available, rated at 179hp, with 177-lbs-ft of torque. My test Escape Titanium was powered by a turbocharged direct injection 2.0-liter Twin-Scroll EcoBoost® inline-4 with Auto Start-Stop that supplied 245hp and 275 lbs.-ft. of torque on premium fuel. EPA ratings are 21mpg in city driving and 29mpg on the highway for the 2.5 in FWD configuration; the 1.5-liter EcoBoost® is estimated at 23/30 in FWD and 22/28 in AWD; and my test 2.0 liter EcoBoost® was rated at 20/27 in AWD configuration. A week of mixed-use tests including long interstate drives, and a few off-road excursions, averaged 24.3mpg.

Escape handles and steers in carlike fashion. The rack-and-pinion steering with electric power assist is responsive and predictable, and the MacPherson front struts with stabilizer bar and twin-tube hydraulic gas-pressurized shocks work in concert with an independent double lateral link rear suspension with semi-trailing arms, stabilizer bar, linear-rate springs and monotube hydraulic gas-pressurized shocks to soften many road irregularities, but it is NOT a luxury smooth ride and road noise often permeates the cabin.

Power from the 2.0-liter was strong across all ranges. Passing at speed and uphill grades are conquered without issue, and a zero-to-60mph dash was accomplished in 7.7 seconds during a 15.9-second quarter-mile (hand-timed).

Inside, the cabin is well-appointed and seats five with headroom of 39.9 inches in front and 39.0 in row two. Legroom can be stretched to a maximum of 43.1 inches in row one, while second-row passengers have 37.3 inches. Shoulder room is 55.9 in row one and 55.2 for row two.

My test Escape in Titanium trim also came standard with remote start, power liftgate, reverse sensing system, silver roof rails, dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and SYNC® with SYNC Connect.

The 2017 Ford Escape starts at $23,750 in S trim with the 2.5-liter I-4 engine, and moves to $25,250 for the SE and its 1.6-liter EcoBoost®. My test Escape Titanium in Ruby Red paint, started at $27,645 in 2WD with the 1.5 engine, and came with leather-trimmed 10-way heated power driver and passenger seat, remote start, Blind Spot Information System and a 10-speaker Sony audio system. The Ruby Red paint added $395. Up-powering to the 2.0-liter EcoBoost® engine added $1345 and 4WD upgraded road capabilities for an additional $1750.

The 301A Equipment Package of auto high beams, Enhanced Active Park Assist with Parallel Parking, Park Out Assist, Reverse Perpendicular Parking, Forward and Side Sensing Systems, Bi-Xenon HID headlamps, LED Signature Lighting, heated steering wheel, Lane-Keeping Alert, Lane-Keeping Aid and Driver Alert System, rain-sensing windshield wipers and supplemental PTC heater added $1995.

Adaptive Cruise Control with Pre-Collision Assist added $595; a Panoramic Vista® roof added $1495; roof-rail crossbars added $145; all-weather floor mats added $75; a cargo mat in the back added $90; a Sony® audio system with SYNC® 3 and Voice-activated Navigation System added $795; side-window deflectors added $89; and destination charges of $895 put the sticker-as-tested at $36,269. Incentives are available and could save you as much as $2500 depending on your region, so check with your dealer.


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Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.