Popular Ford Escape gets a technology-rich update

None of us can believe 2015 is almost over already, so I’m a little sheepish about mentioning something that sounds like 2016 is being skipped altogether. But I have to, because it involves one of the Pacific Northwest’s favorite cars.

Ford has just unveiled the 2017 Escape compact crossover vehicle, with updated interior and exterior styling, additional safety and technology equipment, and a new 1.5-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder among the three engine choices. EcoBoost is Ford’s name for its selection of turbocharged, direct injection gasoline engines that improve fuel economy without laying waste to performance.

The new Escape arrives at local dealerships next spring – so no, 2016 won’t be skipped.

The 2017 Escape is the first Ford vehicle with Sync Connect, an extension of Ford’s Sync 3 communications and entertainment system. With Sync Connect, drivers can use their smartphone like a remote control device to lock and unlock the car’s doors, start the engine, check tire pressures and fuel levels, and even locate the car from a distant location. Sync Connect comes with complimentary activation for 5 years.

Several new items have been added to Escape’s available driver-assist features list, including adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning with brake support; enhanced active parking assistance; lane-keeping alert system; and a driver alert system that detects signs of driver fatigue and issues a warning.

Trim levels for the Escape are carried over from the outgoing version: S, SE and Titanium. New for 2017 is a Sport Appearance Package available on SE and Titanium models.

A new 1.5-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine is standard on the SE and Titanium. Its official horsepower rating hasn’t been determined yet, but Ford expects it to be 180, with 185 lb-ft of torque. A new twin-scroll 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder is optional for these two trims, producing 245 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque.

The 2.5-liter i-VCT four-cylinder used on the previous model is carried over as standard equipment on the 2017 Escape S.

All engines and trim levels come with a six-speed automatic transmission, and new paddle shifters are included on the SE and Titanium. Models equipped with the 1.5L or 2.0L engine are available with front-wheel or all-wheel drive; the 2.5L comes in front-drive configuration only.

The 1.5L and 2.5L engines take regular unleaded fuel. The 2.0L can cope with regular but premium is recommended.

In another first for Ford vehicles, Auto Start-Stop is standard with the two EcoBoost engines. To conserve fuel, the system shuts off the engine when the car is sitting idle. The result is a 4 percent to 6 percent boost in fuel economy in stop-and-go traffic. When the brake pedal is disengaged, the engine automatically restarts in less than half a second.

Pricing and EPA fuel economy ratings for the 2017 Ford Escape aren’t available now but will be announced closer to the on-sale date next spring.

Mary Lowry is an independent automotive writer who lives in Snohomish County. She is a member of the Motor Press Guild and a board member of the Northwest Automotive Press Association.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Business

Black Press Media operates Sound Publishing, the largest community news organization in Washington State with dailies and community news outlets in Alaska.
Black Press Media concludes transition of ownership

Black Press Media, which operates Sound Publishing, completed its sale Monday (March 25), following the formerly announced corporate restructuring.

Maygen Hetherington, executive director of the Historic Downtown Snohomish Association, laughs during an interview in her office on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Maygen Hetherington: tireless advocate for the city of Snohomish

Historic Downtown Snohomish Association receives the Opportunity Lives Here award from Economic Alliance.

FILE - Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs poses in front of photos of the 15 people who previously held the office on Nov. 22, 2021, after he was sworn in at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Hobbs faces several challengers as he runs for election to the office he was appointed to last fall. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Secretary of State Steve Hobbs: ‘I wanted to serve my country’

Hobbs, a former Lake Stevens senator, is the recipient of the Henry M. Jackson Award from Economic Alliance Snohomish County.

Mark Duffy poses for a photo in his office at the Mountain Pacific Bank headquarters on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Mark Duffy: Building a hometown bank; giving kids an opportunity

Mountain Pacific Bank’s founder is the recipient of the Fluke Award from Economic Alliance Snohomish County.

Barb Tolbert poses for a photo at Silver Scoop Ice Cream on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Barb Tolbert: Former mayor piloted Arlington out of economic brink

Tolbert won the Elson S. Floyd Award, honoring a leader who has “created lasting opportunities” for the underserved.

Photo provided by 
Economic Alliance
Economic Alliance presented one of the Washington Rising Stem Awards to Katie Larios, a senior at Mountlake Terrace High School.
Mountlake Terrace High School senior wins state STEM award

Katie Larios was honored at an Economic Alliance gathering: “A champion for other young women of color in STEM.”

The Westwood Rainier is one of the seven ships in the Westwood line. The ships serve ports in the Pacific Northwest and Northeast Asia. (Photo provided by Swire Shipping)
Westwood Shipping Lines, an Everett mainstay, has new name

The four green-hulled Westwood vessels will keep their names, but the ships will display the Swire Shipping flag.

A Keyport ship docked at Lake Union in Seattle in June 2018. The ship spends most of the year in Alaska harvesting Golden King crab in the Bering Sea. During the summer it ties up for maintenance and repairs at Lake Union. (Keyport LLC)
In crabbers’ turbulent moment, Edmonds seafood processor ‘saved our season’

When a processing plant in Alaska closed, Edmonds-based business Keyport stepped up to solve a “no-win situation.”

Angela Harris, Executive Director of the Port of Edmonds, stands at the port’s marina on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, in Edmonds, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Leadership, love for the Port of Edmonds got exec the job

Shoring up an aging seawall is the first order of business for Angela Harris, the first woman to lead the Edmonds port.

The Cascade Warbirds fly over Naval Station Everett. (Sue Misao / The Herald file)
Bothell High School senior awarded $2,500 to keep on flying

Cascade Warbirds scholarship helps students 16-21 continue flight training and earn a private pilot’s certificate.

Rachel Gardner, the owner of Musicology Co., a new music boutique record store on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. Musicology Co. will open in February, selling used and new vinyl, CDs and other music-related merchandise. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Edmonds record shop intends to be a ‘destination for every musician’

Rachel Gardner opened Musicology Co. this month, filling a record store gap in Edmonds.

MyMyToyStore.com owner Tom Harrison at his brick and mortar storefront on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Burst pipe permanently closes downtown Everett toy store

After a pipe flooded the store, MyMyToystore in downtown Everett closed. Owner Tom Harrison is already on to his next venture.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.