2017 Ford Escape
The Ford Escape offers stylish sheet metal, multiple powertrain options and a plethora of available convenience and safety features.
Changes to the 2017 Ford Escape
Handsome new front and rear styling
Addition of a Sport Appearance package for SE and Titanium models
Mirrors have been redesigned to be more aerodynamic, sound deadening has been improved, and an acoustic glass and underbody shield have been added for increased quietness
Shift lever and electronic parking brake have been relocated
More storage areas in the front passenger compartment
New three-spoke steering wheel
Addition of SYNC 3 infotainment system with Apple Car Play and Android Auto integration, as well as the new FordPass and Sync Connect smartphone app
New 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine for SE and Titanium trims
Automatic start/stop feature for turbocharged engines
Improved safety features such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and lane departure warning.
Ford Escape trim level differences
S: The S trim is powered by a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Standard features include a SYNC infotainment system, a rearview camera, 17-inch steel wheels with painted covers, an electric parking brake and keyless entry.
SE: A standard 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine motivates the SE, and it's also teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission. Dual-zone automatic climate control, a 10-way power driver’s seat, fog lamps, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, SiriusXM satellite radio, integrated blind-spot mirrors and 17-inch aluminum wheels are all standard.
Titanium: The Titanium trim has the same engine and transmission as the SE. Standard amenities include a SYNC 3 infotainment system, a hands-free foot-activated liftgate, a Sony 10-speaker audio system, leather-trimmed seats, a 110V power outlet, push-button start, a remote start system, a 10-way power passenger seat, chrome exterior trim and 18-inch wheels.
Power and performance
The 2017 refresh brings a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged fourcylinder engine that's standard on the SE and Titanium trims. The S trim retains the 2.5-liter fourcylinder engine as standard, and the optional 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gets an increase of 5 horsepower and 5 pound-feet of torque.
The base 2.5-liter four cylinder is standard on the S trim and makes 168 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 170 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard and the only transmission available across the range. This engine manages 24 mpg combined for FWD models.
The Escape comes standard with front-wheel-drive and the option for all-wheel-drive on the SE and Titanium trims.
The optional 1.5-liter turbocharged four cylinder is an ecominded engine and comes standard on the SE and Titanium trims. It makes 179 hp at 6,000 rpm 177 lb-ft of torque at 2,500 rpm. This engine manages 26 mpg combined for FWD models and 24 mpg combined for AWD models.
Finally, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is optional on the SE and Titanium trims and provides the most power without sacrificing much fuel economy. The 2.0-liter makes 245 hp at 5,500 rpm and 275 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm while managing 25 mpg combined for FWD models and 23 mpg combined for AWD.
Safety summary
The 2017 Escape offers a wide variety of crash prevention and safety technology, including adaptive cruise control and collision warning that primes the brakes if an emergency stop is needed. The Escape is also available with a lane-keeping system that alerts you to unintentional lane drift and utilizes steering torque to guide you back into your lane. Finally, the blind-spot information system with cross traffic alert uses radar to identify vehicles in your blind spot and indicates with a mirrormounted light. This system also alerts crossing traffic as you back out of a spot or driveway. Unfortunately, most of these features are only available as options on the top-tier Titanium trim.