The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Ford Escape
Automakeroffersabroadvarietyofcrossoversforfamilies
While the Ford Escape may not be the biggest seller in the small crossover segment, it is very popular, selling more than 300,000 a year.
The Escape got a serious refresh in 2017, including its sheetmetal to keep its look current. It also got a upgrades, the most important of which improved the small overlap IIHS test score. It also added technological improvements to features and driver assistance capabilities.
The Escape has been around since 2000 so Ford has plenty of experience with this market. Their strategy is having a spectrum of models, which allows them to cover a good chunk of the market. This variety comes from four trim levels, the base S, SE, SEL, and Titanium span a broad price range, in a segment that is rather price sensitive.
Ford’s solution is to start the Escape lineup off at $24,105 for the S model and progress to a base price of $32,620 for the top-tier Titanium. While these are “list” prices, small crossovers are so popular that there isn’t a lot of dealing room. Some, yes, but if you’re looking for a deal, buy a sedan.
So those who are starting out can find an Escape in their price range. Granted the features are fewer, and the engine isn’t as powerful, but it is still an Escape. That means it shares most of its mechanicals with even the most expensive. The only real difference in performance is that there are three engines, available depending on which trim level. But the features do get added, making the more expensive vehicles more capable.
For example, in the base model there is just a 4.2-in. center-stack display and a sixspeaker stereo, but you can opt for things such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on an eightinch touchscreen as well as a 10-speaker Sony premium audio system with HD and satellite radio.
Across the lineup there are a number of driver-assistance systems, and again money counts. None comes standard, but adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, collision-mitigation braking, cross-traffic alert, lanekeep assist, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high-beams and autonomous parallel parking are options, depending on the trim level.
At the top of the food chain is the Escape I tested, a wellequipped Titanium. Its sticker called for plunking down $37,010.00. For this you get a vehicle that’s equipped with features more commonly found on more expensive small crossovers.
Most noticeable is the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost engine. It sends 245 hp. and 275 lb.- ft. of peak torque. Its EPA fuel rating is 21 mpg city and 27 mpg on the highway. As with the other two engines, this power flows to either the front, or all of the wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.
Generally, the Titanium also has trim-specific 19-inch wheels, bi-xenon headlights a rear hatch that’s powered and you can open by swinging your foot -under the rear bumper. There’s also a heated steering wheel, autodimming rearview mirror, ambient lighting, the 10-speaker Sony premium stereo, navigation and a power passenger seat. There is even the high-tech autonomous parallel parking.
But there is plenty of room inside all versions of the Escape for five occupants and cargo. Behind the second row, there’s 34 cu. ft. of cargo space. With the rear seat folded, that jumps to 68 cu. ft, and if that’s not enough, the Escape can tow up to 3,500 lb.
In all versions the Escape gives value for money, and that’s probably why it continues to sell well. It is a comfortable car that drives well and fits a broad number of people’s lifestyle. It also is the vehicle with which Ford would like to convince owners that their next vehicle should be an Edge, or an Explorer or even a Ford pickup.
They want the Escape to mark the start of a beautiful friendship. If you have any questions, comments or ideas, please send them to comment@ AutoWritersInk.com.