THE GREAT ESCAPE
2017 Ford Escape Titanium AWD

By Harold Osmer Those of you paying attention on the road have seen plenty 2017 Ford Escapes. Nearly 200,000 units are on the road and that’s just the 2017 rendition. Get behind the wheel of one and you’ll soon realize why it’s so popular.

Ford’s SUV lineup runs Escape – Edge – Explorer – Expedition with Transit Connect and Flex thrown in for good measure. At the smaller end, Escape provides ample roominess, safety, and technology to handle most SUV related tasks. With a turning radius at 38.5 ft., you’ll also be spared the parking drama found with larger vehicles. An available Parking Assist feature makes it even easier. It’s hard to beat a Ford Escape around town. The slightly elevated ride height gives good visibility. Big windows and large mirrors ensure you have a clear view. Steering is precise and predictable. Our 2017 Ford Escape called for a light touch when moving at freeway speeds.

Ford’s EcoBoosted 2.0-liter four spools up quickly for rapid acceleration. We may have been heavier on the throttle than most daily Escape drivers, but we couldn’t squeeze more than 17 miles per gallon during our test time. Ford’s engine start/stop system works better than most and we hardly noticed it. The electronic 6-speed transmission operates sans drama. We did not get a chance to test the 4WD system but imagine it could well prove handy when running up the mountain this winter. My 6’2” frame fits nicely into the Escape’s leather trimmed seats. A front passenger with two in the rear can also ride in comfort. A fifth very friendly person can fit in the middle rear location if needed. Carrying capacity is 34 cubic feet behind the rear seat. Folding the 60/40 split rear seats flat doubles available cargo space. Dual roof rails increase capacity even further. Hey, it’s a small SUV and fills the niche as directed.

Our 2017 Ford escape came equipped with an array of safety and technology features. Lane drift, blind spot, collision warning, foot-operated liftgate, and enough airbags to make Stay-Puft jealous helped Escape to earn NHTSA’s five out of five safety rating.

The onboard SYNC Connect system was easy to use but had an oddly blue-lit screen that reminded us of old video games. We ditched the screen coloring by switching it to night mode. We did not connect our smart phone to the vehicle but can see where this could be a handy feature. The navigation, systems settings, and audio menus are intuitive and clear. Ford does a very good job providing the kind of cars most people drive on a regular basis. Their 2017 Ford Escape is no exception. Fore more information on Ford's vehicles, visit Ford.com. Editor's Note: The interior shots above are manufacturer's photos of the 2018 Escape, which recently launched. Interior footage (Courtesy of Ford)

2017 Ford Escape Titanium AWD Price: Base $30,850; As tested $39,010 Options Include: Titanium Technology Package ($1,995) 2.0 EcoBoost Engine ($1,295) Panoramic Vista Roof ($1,495 Adaptive Cruise Control ($595) Navigation System ($795) Engine type: Twin-scroll 2.0-liter EcoBoost I-4, DOHC Horsepower: 245hp @ 5500 rpm Torque: 275 lb.-ft @ 3000 rpm Performance: 0-60 mph: 7.1 seconds Drive configuration: Four Wheel Drive Transmission type: 6-Speed Automatic w/Paddle Shifters Suspension: Front: Independent MacPherson Struts w/Stabilizer Bar Rear: Control Blade w/Stabilizer Bar Wheels and tires: 19" Machined Aluminum Wheels, P235/45R19 BSW Brakes: 4-channel, 4-wheel disc, ABS and ESC Vented Disc, Dual Diaphragm Power Assist Overall length/wheelbase: 178.1 inches/105.9 inches Overall width: 72.4 inches (w/o mirrors); 81.8 inches (with mirrors) Cargo Volume: 68.0 cu. ft. (behind first row) 34.0 cu. ft. (behind second row) Overall height: 66.3 inches Weight: 3,765 pounds EPA mileage estimates City/ Highway: 20/27 MPG EPA Size Class: Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD Warranty: 3 Years/36,000 miles Bumper to Bumper 5 Year/60,000 miles Powertrain 5 Year/60,000 miles 24/7 Roadside Assistance Program * Passenger car classes are designated by the EPA based on interior volume index or seating capacity, except the ones classified as special vehicle. A two-seater is classified as a car with no more than two designated seating positions.