2016 Ford Escape Review
Topic: 2016 Ford Escape Review
Overview of 2016 Ford Escape Review
Compact crossover SUVs can be used for many purposes, including commuting to work and taking your children to school. However, fun is often lacking. The 2016 Ford Escape will give you that feeling. The Escape is a direct copy of the Ford Focus and drives like a Focus on its tips (that’s a compliment). It also comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, making it one of the fastest small crossovers available in this price range. The Escape is a crossover vehicle that offers an optional all-wheel drive, good fuel economy, and a large cargo area. It also has a hands-free power liftgate equipped with a foot sensor.
The MyFord Touch infotainment program, built with Microsoft expertise but has had significant usability problems since its inception, is one of the few issues we have encountered with Escape’s current generation. The BlackBerry-powered Sync 3 system has been introduced to Escape 2016. This system offers a cleaner slate and faster response times. It also features a simplified menu that appears in a strip at the bottom of the central touchscreen. Sync 3 has intuitive pinch-and-swipe functions that mimic smartphones and the same feature-rich excellence as MyFord Touch. It is a significant step forward based on our initial impressions.
Whether you choose Sync 3 or not, the Escape will provide you with a comfortable and spacious cabin. It is highlighted by premium materials, generous standard items such as a rearview camera and USB connectivity, and useful voice controls. We are not fans of the standard infotainment system. It has a 4.2-inch display with two banks of form-over function buttons in a V-shaped layout. It doesn’t matter; the Escape is a joy to drive. It is agile and refined, which instills a level of confidence in the rare driver in this class.
However, it’s not the only one. The responsive 2016 Mazda CX-5 is sporty and efficient. It also matches Escape on many fronts, especially with its modern, knob-based infotainment system. We also recommend the Techecar’s-A-rated Honda CR-V as well as Toyota RAV4. They don’t have multiple engine options like Escape. However, they are extremely easy to drive and offer more space and cargo area than the Escape. As a larger option, the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport offers a turbocharged engine with optional turbocharging comparable to the Escape’s 2.0-liter turbo. The 2016 Ford Escape is still a smart choice because of its exceptional skill set.
Ford Escape models 2016
The 2016 Ford Escape compact crossover SUV is available in three trims: SE, Titanium, and S, The standard features of the S, include 17-inch steel rims, MyKey parental controls, and full power accessories.
Upgrade to the SE adds 17-inch alloy wheels (optional for S), the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, and an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar, upgraded cloth upholstery, and a rear center armrest.
Optional SE Convenience adds roof rails and rear parking sensors to the package.
It also includes a dual-zone automatic climate control system, a 110V household-style power outlet, the Sync 3 technology Interface (including an 8-inch touchscreen), and a nine-speaker sound system with dual USB ports. The SE Leather Comfort package adds heated mirrors and leather upholstery to the heated front seats.
The Cold Weather package includes heated mirrors and seats, as well as a windshield wiper. A power liftgate, 18-inch wheels, and remote ignition are also available.
The Titanium is the highest-end model. It combines all the SE packages and options with an exclusive foot sensor to control the power liftgate, keyless access and ignition, ambient lighting, driver memory settings, an auto-dimming back view mirror, and a 10-speaker Sony stereo system with HD radio.
The Technology Package (xenon headlights with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, as well as automatic wipers, a self-parking system, and 19-inch alloy wheels) is available in Titanium.
A panoramic sunroof, as well as a navigation system, are optional on the SE and Titanium.
2016 Highlights
The 2016 Ford Escape features a touchscreen infotainment system called “Sync 3,” replacing the much-maligned MyFord Touch. However, the standard audio system has lost its auxiliary input jack.
Performance and mpg
There are three engines in the 2016 Ford Escape, and availability is dependent on trim. A six-speed automatic transmission (FWD) and front-wheel driving (FWD) are standard features on all Escape models. All trims except the S can be ordered with all-wheel-drive (AWD).
The S comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 168 horsepower and 170 pound-feet. The SE offers a more economical option. This engine does not include AWD. 25 mpg combined (22-31 highway).
The SE and Titanium are equipped with a turbocharged, 1.6-liter four-cylinder making 178 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Techecar’s performance testing showed that the Escape 1.6 FWD accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 8.7 seconds. This is slightly faster than average for small crossovers with a base engine. The 1.6’s fuel economy is 26 mpg (23 city/32 highway) when equipped with FWD and 25 mpg (22 city/29 highway) when equipped with AWD.
A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder is available on the SE or Titanium. It produces 240 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. Techecar’s testing showed that the Escape 2.0 AWD accelerated to 60 mph in just 7.0 seconds. Fuel economy is 25 mpg with FWD (22 city/30 highway) and 23 mpg with AWD (21 city/28 highway).
An Escape equipped with a 2.0-liter engine will tow up to 3500 pounds when properly equipped.
Safety
The 2016 Ford Escape comes standard with antilock disc brakes and traction and stability controls, front-seat side and driver knee airbags, and full-length side curtains airbags. Ford’s MyKey allows owners to set electronic parameters, a rearview camera, and blind-spot mirrors. The Technology package includes an optional blind-spot warning system and cross-traffic alerts.
Techecar’s brake testing showed that an Escape SE 1.6 stopped at 60 mph in a remarkable 115 feet.
The Escape received a total rating of four stars in government crash tests. There were four stars for total frontal-impact crash protection and five stars to protect against side-impact. The Escape received a top score from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety of “Good” in its moderately-overlap frontal, side-impact, and roof-strength crash testing. The Escape’s seat- and head restraint design was also rated as “Good” for whiplash protection in rear-impact crashes. However, it got the lowest score of “Poor” in the small-overlap frontal-offset crash tests.
Driving
The 2016 Ford Escape is a top-ranked vehicle in the segment thanks to its fast, precise steering and sharp reflexes. The Escape feels more like a hatchback than a compact crossover. You have an SUV-style view from the Escape’s driving position, but the Escape is still planted on the pavement when making quick transitions. This dynamic nature doesn’t mean that ride comfort is compromised. It’s an excellent model by any standards.
The 2.5-liter and turbocharged, 1.6-liter engines deliver average performance. However, the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine delivers a more dynamic experience. While most owners will be satisfied with the 1.6-liter turbo’s acceleration and fuel economy, it is hard to resist the 2.0 turbo. It delivers more power with a slight reduction in fuel consumption. Even if your foot isn’t very heavy, the 2.0 turbo pulls up steadily, while the 1.6-liter needs more downshift from an automatic transmission to keep up with the pace. Both turbocharged engines run quietly and smoothly.
Interior
The 2016 Ford Escape is filled with soft-touch materials, an excellent fit, and finish, and plenty of storage space. The front seats are generously padded and well-shaped. The gauges are large and easy for you to read. Some controls can be difficult to use. The climate control panel is located at the bottom of the dashboard. It can be difficult to locate the controls using the standard audio interface with its tiny display screen and a sea of buttons that look very similar.
The new Sync3 system replaced the MyFord Touch interface last year. It is much more enjoyable. Sync 3 is faster, more user-friendly, and visually richer than the previous system.
Despite its compact exterior, the Escape is quite spacious behind the front seats. The Escape’s reclining backseat may not be as spacious as other models, but it provides ample legroom and headroom for adults. The cargo area is a competitive 34.3 cubes. Large items and dogs can fit easily through the roof.
The handy lever allows you to flip the rear seats down, opening 68.1 cubic feet of space. This is a good size for the segment. It’s a neat feature to have a hands-free power liftgate. You can open it by waving your foot under the rear bumper, as long as you have the key. However, you will only be able to have it if the Titanium trim is purchased.
2016 Ford Escape Review Video:
[…] 2016 Ford Escape Review […]
[…] 2016 Ford Escape Review […]