2016 Ford Escape: Revised Crossover Gets Mostly High Marks [Review]

2016 Ford Escape

The popular Ford Escape is sleeker than the previous-generation boxlike 2013 and earlier models and is a four-door hatchback with front- or available four-wheel drive (4WD).

Ford says there’s seating for five, but the center of the rear seat is too stiff for a fifth occupant. It’s best to use it for the fold-down center armrest, which contains two cupholders.

2016 FORD ESCAPE

Engine Power Torque Transmission MSRP
2.0L EcoBoost I-4 240 hp 270 lb-ft 6-speed automatic $23,590- $31,745

 
The interior is quiet with supportive front seats, and ice-blue instrument lighting for the speedometer and tachometer needles is attractive. The digital speedometer tucked in the middle of the regular analog speedometer is a good touch.

The step-up to slide inside calls for a little extra effort, but occupants sit high and have a good view of surroundings in the quiet, nicely done interior.

However, rear door openings are a bit narrow, and door storage areas are best suited to holding a beverage. But there’s a roomy, covered console bin and nicely placed console cupholders.

2016 Ford Escape

The cargo area is impressive for a small SUV, and rear seatbacks flip forward and sit flat to greatly enlarge the cargo area. An optional power hatch is handy.

Engines are a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 168 horsepower, a 1.6-liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine with 178 horsepower or a 2-liter turbo EcoBoost with 240 horsepower and the highest torque rating.

My test Escape 4WD had the 2-liter EcoBoost engine. It was smooth, responsive and relatively quiet under hard acceleration. The 0-60 mph and highway passing times were a breeze.

The Escape is agile, and steering is precise. Brakes have a nice linear pedal action. My test Escape deftly handled curves, and the ride was supple on most roads. All that made it enjoyable to drive, although some roads brought out body “bounce.”

2016 Ford Escape

The biggest news for the 2016 Escape is Ford’s new SYNC 3 communications and entertainment system that replaces the heavily criticized MyFord Touch system. Ford says the new system brings “cutting edge” technology to the Escape.

The voice-activated SYNC 3 infotainment system gives drivers a new interface that uses capacitive touch screen technology similar to tablets and smart phones. The new One Box Search feature, with the available navigation system, allows users to look up points of interest or enter addresses in much the way they use an Internet search engine.

The SYNC 3 system is an improvement and worked well during my limited use of it.

But is this what’s it’s come to? Must we review a vehicle’s technology rather rather than the vehicle?

2016 Ford Escape

Estimated fuel economy is 21/23 miles per gallon in the city and 28/32 on highways. Only 87-octane fuel is needed for all engines, although 91-plus octane is recommended for the 1.6-liter EcoBoost.

Power flows through a six-speed automatic transmission. It’s smooth, but one must use an awkward toggle switch on the side of the shifter to allow manual shifting. Toggle switches would be an improvement here.

A Ford info sheet for my top-line Escape SE 4WD model listed at $27,400, but options including the 240-horsepower EcoBoost engine ($1,195), power tailgate ($495), navigation system ($795) and Chrome Package ($1,445) gave a bottom line price of $33,095, including an $895 freight charge.

2016 Ford Escape

The Chrome Package, offered only for the SE, has items including chrome door handles, side-mirror “skullcaps, roof rails, leather-accented seats and 19-inch wheels — up from the Escape’s standard 17-inch wheels.

Standard SE equipment includes air conditioning, power driver’s seat, tilt wheel with cruise and audio controls, AM/FM/CD with MP3, power locks, windows and mirrors, halogen headlights, remote keyless entry, rearview camera and a 60/40 split rear seat.

Safety items include a reverse sensing system and perimeter alarm, which I found helpful in tight parking spaces. Air bags include one for the driver’s knee.

The Escape naturally gets a sales boost because it’s in the hot small SUV/crossover market, but it must continue to be above-average to match or beat its competition.

  • Lease itOn the TFLcar scale of:
  • Buy it!
  • Lease it!
  • Rent it!
  • … or Forget it!

The 2016 Ford Escape is well-done in most respects and gets a Lease It! rating. The attractive and roomy small crossover has a supple ride, feels agile, and is fast when outfitted with the top EcoBoost engine. The new SYNC 3 infotainment system is a big leap forward over the old MyFord Touch system. A few points were deducted for the narrow rear doorways, high step-in height, and awkward automatic transmission manual shift feature.


The 2017 Ford Escape has been refreshed with Ford’s new design language and even more automotive-tech. Watch this “everything you ever wanted to know” video from the L.A. Auto Show to get the full scoop on the 2017 Escape.