2014
Ford Escape Titanium (2.0L) AWD Review:
Introduction:
When Ford introduced their Escape compact SUV for the 2001 Model Year, it
received little critical reception, though still sold in large numbers. When
the time came to redesign their Escape in 2008, Ford kept the same, familiar
design, yet updated the exterior and interior to give it a more up-to-date
appearance. This design soldiered on mainly unchanged until 2013, when the
third-generation Ford Escape debuted with an all-new design and platform. Let’s
take a look at the 2014 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0L AWD.
Exterior:
The Ford Escape shares its basic design with the European Ford Kuga compact
SUV, and its platform with the Ford Focus/C-MAX compact cars. One look at the
2014 Ford Escape, and you’d never be able to tell that it is an Escape. This
particular example was finished in White Pearl Coat. Standard exterior details
on the Titanium model include rather attractive-looking eighteen-inch
chrome-plated alloy wheels sitting on eighteen-inch BSW all-season tires,
active front grille shutters to improve fuel economy, power rear tailgate that
is activated by either using the keyless remote or by simply placing your foot
under the rear bumper, which makes it much easier to open the Liftgate when you
come back to your Escape from a day full of shopping. Also included are keyless
remotes that are as unique in their design as the Escape itself, with sensors
on both front doors that allow the driver and his or her front passenger to
enter the Escape without having to remove the key from their purse, bag, or
pocket. Of course, you can also use the lock and unlock buttons on the remote
itself to use the same functions. Also on the remote are buttons to open the
power rear tailgate and remote start the vehicle by simply pressing the lock
button and then the dedicated remote start button. Pressing the remote start
button once shuts off the remotely-started vehicle. The Escape features a front
end design reminiscent of its Focus and C-MAX siblings, and features Ford’s new
“global” corporate look. The door handles and side mirrors (which are both
power-adjustable and heated, with integrated turn signal indicators) are both
color-keyed to the Escape’s exterior, and the sides of the Escape are also made
up of clean, flowing lines. The rear end of the Escape flows with the rest of
the vehicle, with tail lamps that integrate nicely with the rear tailgate.
Overall, the exterior design on the Ford Escape is very attractive.
Interior:
Step into the interior of the Ford Escape, and you’re reminded more of a
compact sedan rather than a compact SUV that you’re driving. Most of the
dashboard design is shared with the Ford Focus and C-MAX, and the instrument
cluster is easy-to-read with blue backlighting and a full set of analog gauges,
complemented nicely by a small, color informational display between the
speedometer and tachometer. The steering wheel, identical to the Ford Focus’s,
houses controls for the Escape’s audio system, SYNC voice-activated
entertainment system, vehicle information system, and speed and cruise
controls. Push-button allows the driver to start the Escape provided provided the keyless remote is inside the vehicle. The center stack houses the MyFord Touch audio system, which includes
an A/M-F/M stereo with HD Radio technology, SIRIUS-XM Satellite Radio (this
includes a six-month complimentary SIRIUS-XM Select subscription courtesy of
Ford), a single-disc CD/MP3/DVD player, iPod/USB input jacks, a microSD card
slot for loading photos and music onto the system’s hard drive for later
viewing or playback, a 3.5-millimeter auxiliary audio input jack, and a set of
A/V input jacks as well. DVD video discs can only be viewed while the vehicles
in in Park. The eight-inch full-color touch screen display is divided into four
quadrants (Phone, Entertainment, Information- this particular Escape did not
feature GPS navigation and Climate). The system responds nicely to the touch.
The SYNC voice-activated entertainment system responds to voice commands (you
can control practically the entire vehicle with your voice), and pairing of our
Samsung Galaxy S5 Android test phone was seamless and practically immediate. The
Titanium model features a power front driver’s seat, dual heated five-level
front seats, and memory positions for three drivers, though the front passenger’s
seat did not unfortunately feature power adjustments, which is unacceptable for
a $30k+ vehicle. The steering wheel was unfortunately only vinyl-wrapped, and
was not heated. It also was only manually-tilting, and did not telescope. No
paddle shifters for the automatic transmission were present. The glove box was
dual-hinged and padded, with a shelf for owner’s manuals for the vehicle. Front
SRS and all-around side airbags are naturally standard, though Ford’s
inflatable rear seatbelt airbags were also not present. The dual-zone,
automatic climate control is easy to adjust, and includes a display for easy
viewing of current settings. The rear seat passengers have vents for the air conditioner
and heater, but unfortunately, no separate controls from the main controls up
front, and no heated rear seats. A sliding, adjustable rear seat would be a
nice addition. LED ambient lighting adorned the interior, though the LED
overhead lighting was not as bright as expected, and rear passengers cannot
easily control their own light (which was only one light). The twelve-speaker,
390-watt Sony premium sound system sounded excellent, and even included a
rear-mounted subwoofer for even more punch. The material used in the front and
rear seats was rather firm, and should be softer. Black trim adorns the
interior, though wood trim is expected on this model. A rear backup camera and
parking sensors were present, and made backing up easier. Overall, the interior
of the Ford Escape could use some improvements, but is acceptable.
Performance/Ride
Quality/Fuel Economy: The Ford Escape is rather peppy when it comes to its
performance. This particular Escape, and all Titanium models, include a
turbocharged 2.0L EcoBoost inline four-cylinder (I4) engine that produces 240
horsepower, which is more than acceptable for an SUV of this class. This
particular Escape also included all-wheel-drive (AWD), though the ‘4WD’ emblem
on the rear tailgate is misleading, as the Escape does not include true
four-wheel-drive, due to it being based on a car platform. The six-speed
automatic transmission is standard issue on all Escape models (unfortunately,
no manual transmission is available on the Escape), though buttons for a manual
shifting mode, as well as a Sport Drive mode, which stiffens suspension and
steering for a sportier driving feel, were present. Paddle shifters on the
steering wheel would have been a nice touch. Overall, the Escape rides like a
compact sedan rather than a compact SUV, and can even quickly accelerate when
you press on the gas pedal, which is an excellent attribute, though lead-footed
drivers may have to get used to this. The suspension was surprisingly very
carlike, and road noise was audible, though the cabin was still rather quiet. Steering
was effortless. Starting on a full tank of regular unleaded gasoline, the
Escape achieved excellent MPG, with only one fill-up required on a 200-mile
trip. Overall, the performance of the Ford Escape is more than acceptable for
an SUV of this type.
Summary:
To sum up, the 2014 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0L AWD is a nice compact SUV, though
it could use a few more luxury features to match up to its price point. Vincent’s
Auto Reviews says that the 2014 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0L AWD is well worth a
look if you are shopping for a compact SUV!
Price (MSRP), Base (2014 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0L
AWD): $30,850.00
Price (MSRP), as Equipped (2014 Ford Escape Titanium
2.0L AWD): $32,685.00
Exterior Color: White Platinum Tri-Coat Metallic
Interior Color/Type: Ebony Full Leather
Fuel Type Required: Regular Unleaded Gasoline (87
Octane)
Engine Type: 2.0L “EcoBoost” Inline Four-Cylinder
(I4), Turbocharged, 240 Horsepower, 270 Lb. Feet of Torque
Transmission Type: 6-Speed Automatic w/ Sport Drive
and Manual Modes
Drive Type: All-Wheel-Drive, All-Time (AWD)
Price, As Rented from Avis/Budget Rent-a-Car, Total:
$110.00 USD
-Vincent D., Vincent’s Auto Reviews
No comments:
Post a Comment