(Jasper, AB) The ever-popular Ford Escape small SUV is all-new (sort of) for 2017.
The hot automobile categories right now are small crossovers and SUVs. As a result the market continues to see new entrants at almost all price points – luxury brands included. The Ford Escape was the first small SUV to enter the market back in 2001 and has maintained a steady stream of business ever since.
2017 Ford Escape Photo: Ford Canada
For 2017 Ford has launched it’s 4th generation Escape, and while this often can mean many significant changes that are clearly obvious, in this case the changes are a bit harder to detect. It’s not that the changes aren’t significant, but the changes are more about what’s inside and underneath than anything else.
Ford of Canada held a media launch event in May for journalists to get their first opportunity to see and drive the new Escape. The backdrop were the spectacular Rocky Mountains of Alberta and the drive route took us from Calgary to Lake Louise and then on up to Jasper.
The following video recap documents my first drive experience of the 2017 Ford Escape as I traversed through the great scenery and varied terrain of western Alberta.
Canadian Pricing is noted as follows:
| S FWD | $25,099 |
| SE FWD | $27,599 |
| SE 4WD | $29,799 |
| Titanium FWD | $33,799 |
| Titanium AWD | $ 35,999 |
| Destination and Delivery | $1,690 |
The new 2017 Ford Escape, while making noteworthy changes to the available powertrain options, interior ergonomics and it’s capabilities to integrate more consumer technology into it’s latest iteration – nonetheless doesn’t stray too far from what has kept it successful for so long.
While the Ford Marketing Department has decided to get boastful with its tagline for the new Escape, calling it “Unstoppable”, I would counter that “Consistently Reliable” would be a better descriptive. There is nothing about the 2017 Escape that will turn away buyers, especially those who have owned previous ones. However to say it’s unstoppable might be a stretch.
WHAT’S REALLY GOOD:
New 1.5 L EcoBoost engine, placement of gear shifter where it’s supposed to be.
WHAT’S GOOD:
New 2.0 L twin-scroll EcoBoost engine, new Sport Appearance Package, Android Auto and Google Car Play connectivity
WHAT’S OKAY:
New exterior design, Sync 3
WHAT’S FORGETTABLE:
Nothing comes to mind.
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