First Drive: 2016 Ford Escape
For the first time, I get it; I finally understand why the Ford Escape has been so popular over the years.
I actually came to the conclusion at Sunset Speedway while shooting a Two-Minute Test Drive for the Motoring 2016 season.
It's the name—or more so what it implies.
Okay, I'll come out and admit this right now: You're probably not going to escape much in the 2016 Ford Escape.
It's not particularly fast, and, well, let's just say that I wouldn't want to be the one putting its off-road ability to the test.
Perhaps, then, it's the illusion of escape that makes this compact crossover such a hit around the world, including right here in Canada, where Ford sold more than 50,000 of them last year.
Not much has changed aesthetically for the Escape since the third generation's introduction in 2013, with a European-inspired look that, at least as far as I'm concerned, has vaulted it to near the top of the segment in terms of styling.
Built on the same Global C platform as the Focus compact and Transit Connect van, the 2016 Escape feels light and tight to drive, with characteristics that are a little more car-like than some of its competitors.
With the turbocharged 2.0-litre EcoBoost under the hood, one of three four-cylinder choices available, the Escape makes an impressive 231 horsepower—240 with premium fuel in the tank, according to Ford—and a ridiculous 270 lb.-ft. of torque.
Those numbers go a long way in passing situations on the highway, while also giving the Escape a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs., the most of any compact crossover I've encountered on the market.
With the optional intelligent all-wheel drive system in tow, Ford claims the 2.0-litre EcoBoost-ed Escape is capable of 10 L/100 km of combined city/highway fuel economy.
The majority of my time in the Escape was spent on the highway, where fuel consumption was closer to 11 L/100 km.
And speaking of highway driving, taking to Highway 404 north of Toronto on an exceptionally windy day, the Escape was impressively stable while wind and road noise was fairly minimal, even with the audio system turned off.
But back to that Two-Minute Test Drive shoot.
As Russ Bond did what Russ Bond does, I pulled the Escape a safe distance away, where I found myself parked on a gravel embankment outside the track's concrete walls.
Sitting in the Escape Titanium's cozy confines—it comes pretty well equipped, with heated front seats, and Ford's Sync infotainment system replete with WiFi hotspot capability and, if you add the $2,000 "Canadian Touring package," voice-activated navigation and a panoramic power sunroof—I realized that it exudes confidence.
As I said at the outset, I wouldn't want to be the guy that tested the Escape's off-road capability, but it certainly does feel capable-if-ill-equipped for adventure.
A commanding view of what's ahead, decent ground clearance, and more than enough power for a vehicle of its size go a long way in making the Escape look and feel the part.
About the only thing I had trouble with is the Escape's sticker price.
While the base S model's MSRP of $24,199 is reasonable, and even the top-of-the-line Titanium's starting price of $32,699 isn't too bad, the options you want drive the cost up in a hurry.
That four-wheel drive system?
That's going to run you an extra $2,000.
The Technology package and its blind spot detection and automated parking systems adds $1,750.
And that's to make no mention of the Canadian Touring package, partial leather seats, all-weather floor mats, tow package, roof rack, 19-inch wheels, and Ruby Red paint, which tack another $4,250 to the price.
When it's all said and done, the Escape lists out at more than $40,000, which is closing in on well-equipped Explorer territory.
Is the 2016 Ford Escape worth that kind of dough?
I would have a tough time justifying it, to no fault of the vehicle itself, but clearly I'm in the minority considering how many are cruising around Canada.
And at the end of the day, there's no escaping that kind of argument.
Base price: $24,199
As tested: $42,389 (freight included)