The Ford Motor Company has been making a lot of progress in the past few years, in more ways than one. With plenty of brand new models added to its lineup, Ford is setting itself up for even more future success.
Most notably, Ford has been leading the midsize SUV segment with the Escape – Ford’s best-selling SUV. Drivers are taking advantage of the success of Ford, and across the rest of the United States, by driving one of the best selling SUVs in America.
The Escape is Redefining its Segment
The Ford Escape is the brand’s compact crossover SUV, which has been on the market since 2000. Currently in its third generation, the Escape has changed quite a bit since it first rolled off the assembly line. In 2014, the crossover saw some of the best sales numbers in the fifteen years since it was created, prompting Ford to pay careful attention to their best selling SUV.
The result? Ford has announced that for the 2017 model year, the Escape will receive a mid cycle refresh that will leave competitors shaking in their boots – or at the very least, their tires.
The 2017 Escape Has Big Expectations
Despite the fact that the 2017 Escape won’t exactly be a new generation of the SUV, Ford is still rolling out some strong changes for their popular crossover.
The competition in the crossover segment is fierce, as it is actually the fastest growing and largest category in the United States automotive market. Rather than let the current Escape ride out on a tidal wave of dwindling popularity, Ford has opted to create a new version of the Escape that will hopefully drive sales up even more. Let’s dive into some of the rumored updates and changes for the 2017 Ford Escape, and what makes the anticipation surrounding its release so great.
Technology Updates
Just as fast as the crossover segment has grown, so has the demand for in-vehicle technology. Purchasing a vehicle today is an entirely different experience than it was even ten years ago. While leather upholstery and wood trim accents are nice, consumers are more concerned about the technological features that their potential vehicle offers.
Ford is planning to load the new Escape with as many of these future technologies as possible. From a class-exclusive hands-free liftgate system, to mobile connectivity technology – the 2017 Ford Escape is in many ways, a car of the future.
Ford has announced that the 2017 Escape will be the first vehicle in its lineup to offer the new Sync Connect System. Drivers will be able to check their Escape’s fuel level, find where their vehicle is parked, and unlock doors on their crossover – all from the convenience of their smart phone.
Drivers will even have the ability to set a schedule for their vehicle to remotely start, allowing the SUV to be at the perfect level of comfort right when it is needed most. This Sync Connect technology will help pioneer the next level of in-vehicle technology and connectivity, which is a major step for the entire automotive industry.
The 2017 Escape will also feature a class-exclusive hands free liftgate system, that is activated by the simple kick of a foot under the SUV’s tailgate.
Enhanced Safety
An all new version of Active Park Assist will be available on the new Escape, which will give drivers a new confidence behind the wheel. The enhanced version of this safety technology will allow drivers to maneuver tight spaces, corners, and parking space with ease. A park out assist and reverse perpendicular parking is also included with the updated technology.
Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, and a side parking sensor are also all slated to appear on the new Escape. With all of these safety additions and enhancements, we are sure that the 2017 Escape will receive the highest safety rankings.
Updated Interior Styling
The interior of the newest Escape is updated in all of the right ways. The new center console offers convenient storage solutions for all of your essential items. The gear shifter has been redesigned and more appropriately placed for comfort, and the new center stack offers plenty of storage capacity.
Drivers will appreciate the next level of comfort and convenience, while passengers will enjoy the spaciousness and aesthetic appeal that the 2017 Escape offers.
Power and Performance Updates
As expected, the new 2017 Ford Escape will also feature some performance upgrades along with the technological ones. The 2017 Escape SE and Titanium trim levels will come standard with a brand new 1.5-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine, which will transmit 245 horsepower and 275 lb.-ft. of torque. Drivers can also opt for a more powerful 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine.
Regardless of which engine drivers choose, the 2017 Escape will come standard with auto start/stop technology – the first in the Ford lineup to offer this as standard fare. The start/stop feature will allow an even more efficient driving experience, for an already-efficient vehicle.
New Package Offerings
New technology and new engine options are almost always an expected part of a mid cycle refresh of any vehicle. What may not be standard, is the addition of new appearance packages.
Ford is offering a brand new Sport Appearance Package for the 2017 Escape, available for either the SE or Titanium trim levels. The sporty appearance package includes 19-inch black-painted aluminum wheels, LED signature daytime running lamps, black front fender grilles, black roof rails, Sporty V-Shaped leather seats, black-bezel halogen projector headlamps, and much more.
Coming Soon to a Dealer Near You
The 2017 Ford Escape is expected arrive at dealer showrooms sometime next year. With the anticipation surrounding the SUV’s mid cycle refresh building, Ford expects that the Escape’s 2015 sales to exceed that of last year’s 306,212 units sold.
Be on the lookout for the 2017 Ford Escape to arrive at a dealership near you, in the very near future. Until then, we will wait patiently to get behind the wheel of Ford’s most popular SUV in the lineup.
