FORD ESCAPE 2017: A NEW REFRESHED SUV !

REVIEW:

Looks a Hex of a Lot Better

The New Ford Escape sure looks better, at least up front. A prominent hexagonal upper grille and stern headlamps replace the previous model’s trapezoidal underbite-ish grille and blob-like lights, moving the look closer to those of the next-size-up 2016 Edge and the rest of the Ford SUV range. Fog lamps set into their own hexagons occupy the lower corners of the fascia, flanking an air intake that feeds the intercooler on Ecoboost models. Turbocharged Escapes also feature active upper-grille shutters to streamline airflow at highway speeds. Tacky-looking front fender vents, unfortunately, survived the redesign.

Out back, the liftgate appears wider and the taillamps have a blockier shape. A new Sport Appearance package dresses it all up with black 19-inch wheels and mirror caps, smoked lamp bezels, and darkened grille insets. Inside, the package includes more-supportive seats upholstered in cloth and leather with white stitching.

Every Ford Escape boasts ergonomic enhancements highlighted by a relocated shifter and new electronic parking brake; together, these free up some real estate for redesigned cupholders and new cubbies for phones and other day-to-day detritus. The redesigned steering wheel feels good and looks better, while the center armrest is more comfortable and accommodates more stuff beneath it. New switches on the automatic climate controls of SE and Titanium models make the system easier to adjust.

Back on twisty two-lane roads, each  Ford Escape model we drove turned with precision and predictability, but the steering felt unnaturally rubbery the more we turned the wheel, as if it were being self-centered by a Bowflex. While preferable to steering systems you can turn with one finger that deliver no feedback, this constant, spring-like pressure discouraged enthusiastic driving. Ford asserted that the new Escape’s steering is “best in class,” but we wondered if they’d driven the Mazda CX-5 before making that statement. If so, their shot went wide of the target. That said, the Escape’s body motions are managed as well as one would expect—that is, it’s a generally tidy handler but prone to understeer, with plenty of tire squeal to warn the driver against indulging any exuberance.

The Escape is clearly happiest around town or in steady-state freeway driving, where the ride quality is excellent, even when equipped with the Sport Appearance package’s 19-inch wheels and tires. We also tested some of the Escape’s available electronic driving aids, including its lane-keeping system that warns of lane departure via a steering-wheel vibration; if the driver chooses, it can be programmed to supplement that warning with gentle steering input to bring the vehicle back toward the middle of the lane. Also newly available is active cruise control, which offers driver-selectable following distances.

ENGINE TYPES:DOHC 16-valve 2.5-liter inline-4, 168 hp, 170 lb-ft; turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 1.5-liter inline-4, 179 hp, 177 lb-ft; turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4, 245 hp, 275 lb-ft

TRANSMISSION:6-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

PERFORMANCE (C/D EST):
Zero to 60 mph: 7.0-9.3 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 19.6-32.0 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 15.3-17.1 sec
Top speed: 120 mph

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 20-23/27-30 mpg