Updated November 20, 2015
Ford is boosting the 2017 Escape for battle in the hotly-contested compact crossover market with two turbocharged engines and a bevy of new technology.
The refreshed Escape, which will debut at the 2015 Los Angeles International Auto Show, has two new EcoBoost engines, a 1.5-liter turbocharged four cylinder and a 2.0-liter, twin-scroll-turbocharged four cylinder.
The 1.5-liter is expected to make 180 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque, while the 2.0-liter is rated at 245 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. Both EcoBoost engines feature start-stop technology that shuts down the engine while stopped in traffic for better fuel economy.
The 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four carries over as the base engine. All engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with available paddle shifters in the higher trim levels.
Along with the new engines, the 2017 Escape will have a host of driver assistance technology that is quickly becoming the norm in the auto industry. Adaptive cruise control, parking assist, lane keeping and a driver alert system join existing technologies like blind spot alerts, hill start assist, automatic high beams and a foot-activated liftgate.
New for the 2017 Escape is Ford’s SYNC 3 system with SYNC Connect, which allows owners to control their car through an app on their smartphones. Using the app, the car can be remotely started, locked and unlocked. Plus, owners can check on the health of their cars and also find the car’s location should it get lost in a parking lot. The Escape will be the first Ford vehicle with SYNC Connect.
Trim levels continue as S, SE and Titanium, with a new sport appearance package for the top two trims. New colors, interior trim and wheels will also be available.
TFLcar will provide full coverage of the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show. Stay tuned for updates from the event.
Check out this TFLCar “everything you ever wanted to know”video of the 2017 Ford Escape:
