Capsule Review: 2015 Ford Escape Titanium
Today’s cute compact crossovers are slowly replacing mid-size sedans as the most popular vehicle on the market, and with good reason too. They have smaller footprints, are easier to drive, are more versatile, more economical, and AWD systems provide a piece of mind during foul weather. Is the Escape a…wait for it…game changer?
The interior is unmistakably Ford, with clear analog gauges and the MyFord Touch system high and center. The seats are very comfortable, heated in the front, and the angle of the headrests is adjustable so they will not press against the back of your head like some other Fords. The rear seat is best for two passengers but three adult butts or three booster seats will fit. The rear bench folds flat and is split 60:40. The dash is made of at least four different types of materials which do not always complement one another or match up perfectly, such as where the A-pillar meets the dash. HVAC controls and other buttons are small, low in the dash, and obscured by the shifter. At night the interior ambiance lighting can be adjusted in color and intensity to match your mood.
The MyFord Touch system received a slew of upgrades over the years and is now actually usable by a novice. Some of the touch-screen buttons are small and shorter drivers may need to stretch to touch the screen. Those truly adventurous can opt to shout at the system to get it to do what they want. The system easily connected to my phone and offers a ton of options and features which will likely go unused by most buyers. An Audi or Lexus-like knob would make this one of the best systems on the market.
The previous generation had large square windows but this one, like the rest of the auto industry, has smaller windows all around. Despite that, visibility in all directions remains surprisingly good. Doors are large and open wide, making the chore of loading kids into the car a task that won’t break your back. Auto up and down on all windows, as opposed to just the driver’s window, is a nice touch. The rear bumper height is low, making loading and unloading easy. The big rear power hatch can be opened by waving your foot under the bumper, but it is slower in operation than other cars.
The top engine choice is a 240hp and 270lb-ft 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder which is very nicely matched to the vehicle; smooth, quick, and responsive. The six-speed automatic has two driving modes, D and S. In S it downshifts sooner and holds the gears longer, but not too long, where it becomes annoying. The ride is smooth and when tossed into a highway ramp, the Escpape remains neutral and composed, if a bit top-heavy. In this 4WD configuration, the EPA rates the Escape at 21mpg city and 28mpg on the highway. When equipped with a Class II trailer tow package, the little Escape can tow a 3500lb trailer.
The 2015 Ford Escape starts at $22,610 for the base SE model with a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine and 2WD. Those wanting 4WD need to step up to the SE with the 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine (178hp/184tq) which starts at $26,810. Our Titanium model, with the 2.0-liter EcoBoost ($1195 over the 1.6-liter), starts at $31,965. Equipment Group 301A adds HID headlights, blind-spot detection, automatic wipers, and parking sensors for $1735. Navigation system is $795 and destination charges are $895 for a total MSRP of $35,150. At the time of this writing there was a $750 factory incentive.
The Escape is a nice vehicle overall, but aside from the peppy engine it does not bring anything new to the market. While none of its competitors feel more exciting in any comparable way, it feels like Ford decided to make just another vehicle to fill the market niche. The powerful engine is nice, but this is a price driven category where competitors offer one engine at a much lower overall price.
Kamil Kaluski is the East Coast Editor for Hooniverse.com. His ramblings on Eastern European cars, $500 racers, and other miscellaneous automotive stuff can be found there.
Ford provided the vehicle for this review.
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If some of the folks above discussing AWD vs FWD+snow tires were as smart as they seem to think they are, they would stop the tiresome habits of unfair comparisons and confusing technological capability with human behavior. There is no question AWD vehicles have better traction than 2wd. There is no question a car with better clearance will get through rougher stuff than one with lesser clearance. There is no question more clearance leads to a higher center of gravity which will degrade cornering. There is no question snow tires grip better on snow than all-seasons. Yet, some persist in comparing AWD equipped with all-seasons, with 2wd with snow tires. How about making it fair and comparing AWD plus snow tires with 2wd plus snow tires? How about factoring out the skill of the drivers when comparing different vehicle configurations and tire types? Consider what an AWD vehicle with snow tires and a skilled driver can do in snow. Can a 2wd with snow tires and a driver of equal skill match it? Um, no. I agree that like many features and for many car buyers, AWD is yet another feature that allows manufacturers to condition the public into believing an increasingly upscale vehicle is the minimum equipment level for an acceptable purchase. But AWD probably offers a better value proposition than, say, expensive artsy proprietary headlight clusters or padded surfaces no one will ever touch.
The cell phone Millennial look dash, boring blah grey/charcoal interior and monotone look do not make me think 35 grand. And I still wonder how these highly stressed turbo 4 bangers are going to hold up in the real world, especially after towing. The exterior styling really does little to raise my heartbeat either. I can go right across the street to the Hyundai store and get a V6, larger cargo area and much more pleasing interior looks/quality for this kind of coin!