A great favourite in its class

Photo courtesy Ford
Since its appearance on the market in 2001, the Ford Escape has always been one of the popular models in its class. Unveiled in 2015, the current version continues on the same trend.

Jacques Welcome

Sunday, march 4 2018 17:36

UPDATE
Sunday, march 4 2018 17:36

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For nearly twenty years, the Ford Escape has been among the utility vehicles, compact favorites of Canadians. Far from being a perfect vehicle, it nevertheless remains very attractive from several points of view.

It’d have to be a martian to pretend not to know the Ford Escape. For nearly 20 years, this compact utility is among the most popular in Canada. In 2017, he spurred on the two best-selling models, the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V, to finish in third place in the sales charts.

Presented at the auto Show in Los Angeles in November 2015, the Escape current is a modernized version (updated, if you prefer) of its second-generation, itself launched at the same show three years earlier. The Escape 2018 retains the profile of the model launched in 2012, but its front part has a new design more traditional, far from the quirky style of the time. In fact, the Escape’s recalls is now a lot more in the Ford Edge, but smaller.

Range 2018 offers four variants : the Escape’s entry-level, which exists primarily to showcase a base price of tantalizing, models SE and SEL mid-range, and the model is Titanium, the most luxurious of the lot; the one we tested.

Photo courtesy Ford

The dashboard of the Escape boasts an ergonomic well thought out and the bucket seats of the version tested (the Escape Titanium) are particularly comfortable.

THREE DIFFERENT ENGINES

This range of three powertrains, all of which have an automatic transmission 6-speed. For the Escape S, Ford offers a 4-cylinder aspirated 2.5 L instead of any. Its average fuel consumption equal to six-tenths near that of the engine the most expensive the range, the 4-cylinder EcoBoost 2.0 L turbocharged Titanium. The fuel consumption on average is very realistic announced for this year by natural Resources Canada (Nrcan), And 10.3 L/100 km, is not so high when compared to the 9.7 L/100 km of the Escape S.

This difference proves to be minimal when it is known that the normally aspirated engine in the base model develops 168 hp, while the EcoBoost 2.0 L in book 245. A slight pressure on the accelerator pedal of the Escape Titanium is enough to demonstrate this difference. A little more than 7 s is sufficient to start the Titanium to 100 km/h in a standing start, while the Escape S in 10. It should also be noted that the Titanium achieved this performance with an all-wheel drive (four wheel drive) is standard, the attribute of which the Escape S cannot benefit from it, not even as an option.

The Escape SE and SEL, in addition, have their own EcoBoost engine, a 4-cylinder 1.5 L and 179 hp, rather bright, as evidenced by the 8’s that he uses to propel these two Escape to 100 km/h. This engine will be the choice of consumers who want the best consumer versions of the two motor of this Escape is the most fuel efficient of the range with an average score Nrcan 9.1 L/100 km. By adding to their endowment, the all-wheel drive, an option is worth 1 800 $, their average rating goes to 9.6 L/100 km.

Note that the device auto start stop idle-including two turbocharged engines in the Escape are fitted, in order to reduce their consumption, it does not impose any jolts annoying when it puts the vehicle in motion. This does not, however, prevent these engines be more expensive than a CR-V with four-wheel drive, which displays an average of 8.0 L/100 km…

Note that the manufacturer offers the option of equipping the Escape SEL with the EcoBoost engine of 2.0 L Titanium. In addition to achieving better performance in terms of acceleration and times, this engine provides the ability of tow top of the Titanium : it shifts from 907 kg to 1 587 kg. In the case of the atmospheric engine, the towing capacity is less important still : 680 kg.

Photo courtesy Ford

Without be the larger, the trunk of the Escape has many qualities to start with a low floor and a free height substantially under the curtain cargo cover.

FUN TO DRIVE

The time spent at the wheel of the Escape Titanium 2018 makes us discover a vehicle fun to drive. Its electromechanical steering system is precise and the support is awesome, its suspension is firm wish and the braking is easy to modulate, although a tad soft. The Escape has a turning diameter important (11.8 million). This dimension takes on its full meaning when one performs a maneuver of parking in a restricted space. Also, just try, for example, a Subaru Forester, an SUV of the same length including the turning circle is 10.6 m, to account for the difference.

The interior of the Escape is welcoming and is suitable for four adults. The bucket seats on the model we tested were particularly comfortable. Very tight (just enough), they do support well the body. In addition, the shape of the dashboard, which brings its central portion of the front passengers, greatly facilitates the use of the various commands found there.

Since connectivity, both for consumers today, Ford argued that its multimedia system Sync, all versions are equipped with, allows you to unlock and lock the doors of the vehicle remotely, but also start the engine, and even locate the vehicle if needed, all thanks to an app for cell phone compatible with the system CarPlay from Apple and Android Auto integrated into the multimedia system.

The trunk of the Escape wants to be naturally one of these strengths. Isn’t it for this that one chooses to buy an SUV ? Gold, one of this Ford has several qualities : a free height substantially under the curtain, cargo cover, floor-to-very low threshold and contours with well-defined shapes. All of this facilitates the loading of bulky packages. In addition, lowering the folders 60/40 rear seat, you get a flat floor from end to end. Unfortunately, these records are restive and their manipulation opposes a great resistance. In addition, the useful volume minimum and maximum of this safe is slightly lower than that of its main rivals : the CR-V, a champion in the field in this niche market, and the RAV4. That said, for many motorists, the fact of having about 10 % less volume compared to a CR-V will not not a serious handicap.

Of course, the Escape can be equipped with a device to trigger the opening and closing of the tailgate by a movement of the foot under the rear bumper. This gadget extensively publicized arouses the astonishment of the onlookers, it is clear. And it must be admitted that it works well, at least when we spotted the exact place where it should be waddle the walk. But above all, don’t you dare use arms filled with parcels when you are on the ice… The onlookers could then smile for a different reason !

The Ranger is back

Photo courtesy Ford

Ford Ranger 2019

After eight years of absence, the Ford Ranger makes a return on the north american market. Now a qualified truck of average size, this future rival of the twin Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, GM will meet the expectations of buyers who wanted an alternative more energy efficient and less bulky to pickup trucks F-150.

Available only with cabin, four-door SuperCab with rear doors opening in the opposite direction, and SuperCrew four-door normal), the Ranger will be powered by a 4-cylinder EcoBoost turbocharged 2.3 L paired to an automatic transmission 10 reports, exclusive to this niche market.

The manufacturer will offer three levels of staffing : the version of the entry-level XL, the version XLT mid-range, and the Lariat, the more stylish of the lot. Sets the optional well-known Chrome, Sport and FX4 Off-Road will also be included in the catalogue.

This new model will enter production at the end of year assembly plant Ford Wayne, Michigan. It will be on sale in Canada at the beginning of 2019.

One can see the pickup truck Ranger, 2019 in the first provincial this week at the auto Show of Quebec, presented to the complex ExpoCité from 6 to 11 march.

Ford Escape

Base price

25 19 $ (S); 27 449 $ (); 29 FOR $ 199 (SALT); 36 299 $ (Titanium).

Transport and preparation

1 790 $

Powertrain

(S) L4, 2.5 L, 168 hp at 6,000 rpm, 170 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm; (SE and SEL) L4 turbo, 1.5 L, 179 hp at 6 000 rpm, 177 lb-ft at 2500 rpm; (SEL and Titanium) L4 turbo, 2.0 L, 245 hp at 5 500 rpm, 275 lb-ft at 3,000 rpm. Gearbox 6-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive (standard) or all-wheel drive (optional for SE and SEL and standard on Titanium).

Features

Four-wheel independent Suspension. Disc brakes to all four wheels. Anti-lock braking system series. Tires : P235/55R17; P235/50R18.

Ratings

Empattement : 2 690 mm;

length : 4 524 mm; width : 1 838 mm; height : 1 684 mm. Weight : 1 599-1 708 kg. Volume of fuel tank : 59 litres. Trunk Volume : 964-1 926 L. towing Capacity : 680 kg (2.5 L); 907 kg (1.5 L); 1 587 kg (2.0 L). Average fuel consumption (2.0 L, 4WD) : 10,3 L/100 km.

Competition

Chevrolet Equinox, Dodge Journey, GMC Terrain, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Compass, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Rogue, Nissan Qashqai, Subaru Forester, Subaru Outback, Toyota RAV4, Toyota Tiguan

Strengths

• Motor dapper (2.0 L)
• Suspension well-tuned,
• Seats are form-fitting and comfortable (Titanium)

Weak Points

• Records of the back seat difficult to skip
• Turning radius important
• Rear visibility reduced
• High consumption (2.0 L)