By Mauricio Lezcano / carsntravel.com
The new 2014 Ford Escape Titanium 4WD combines outstanding fuel economy, versatility and helpful, intuitive technology in a sleek package to make it the smarter utility vehicle, a key signature technology of Escape is the hands-free liftgate, which allows quick and easy access to cargo with a gentle kicking action. Now this clever solution is available with the Class II trailer tow package, adding even more versatility.
Chief among the additions this year is that the hands-free power liftgate and Class II towing package is now available together. This means Escape owners now can trailer-tow up to 3,500 pounds with the convenience of the hands-free power liftgate.
Enabled by motion technology used in today’s video game systems, a gentle kicking motion under the center of the rear bumper activates, unlocks and raises the liftgate when the driver has the Escape key fob. This allows quick and easy access to the cargo area without needing to set down packages or dig out keys. The same process closes the hatch.
Complementing these easy-to-use features is outstanding fuel economy with the 2.0L M GTDI EcoBoost four-cylinder engine that delivers outstanding fuel economy up to 28 mpg highway with great performance through core EcoBoost technologies of turbocharging and direct injection.
Escape’s EcoBoost engines also add twin independent variable camshaft timing to this successful recipe. Ti-VCT offers up to a 7 percent improvement in peak power and a 5 percent improvement in low-speed torque for better acceleration, passing and merging performance, as well as up to a 4.5 percent improvement in fuel economy versus engines not equipped with the technology.
These EcoBoost engines are mated to specially calibrated, six-speed SelectShift automatic transmissions, which are standard and allow drivers who want more hands-on experiences to manually control gear selection from a switch on the left-hand side of the shifter.
The specially engineered torque converter contributes improved driving feel, silky-smooth shifts and even better fuel economy. Engineers also installed revised gear ratios for a balanced driving feel in all situations.
Intelligent 4WD uses advanced software and sensors to analyze data from 25 external signals, including wheel speed, accelerator pedal position and steering wheel angle, assessing road conditions and driver input 20 times faster than the blink of an eye.
The system uses all the sensor inputs to turn the vehicle in the direction the driver wants it to go. Intelligent 4WD builds on the preemptive actions by adding and subtracting torque as needed through an electromagnetic clutch. This means Escape delivers outstanding handling on pristine pavement and in adverse conditions as well, along with excellent traction off-road.
The 2014 Ford Escape offers a host of technologies that help make life easier, including:
SYNC with MyFord Touch, which offers multiple ways for customers to manage and control information through voice commands, menus accessed through controls on the steering wheel, touch screens, buttons or knobs. The system’s latest look makes phone, navigation, entertainment and climate controls even easier to use.
Parallel parking the Escape is virtually stress-free with active park assist. With the press of a button, the system detects an available parallel parking space and automatically steers the vehicle into it. Drivers control only the gas and brake pedals.
Maneuvering parking lots and traveling open roadways becomes even safer and less stressful with Escape’s sensor-based BLIS with cross traffic alert. BLIS displays an alert in the side mirror when a vehicle is detected entering a blind spot. Cross-traffic alert warns if traffic is detected approaching from the sides, such as when Escape is leaving a parking space in reverse.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price starts at $30,850.00, the one I drove included the Titanium Technology Package, HID Automatic Head Lamps, Blind Spot Detector, Active Park Assist, 2.0L M GTDI EcoBoost Engine, Power Panoramic Roof, Navigation System and 19 Inch Alloy Luster Nickel Wheels, and it came in at $37,560.00 including destination and delivery charges. The EPA fuel economy estimates 21 MPG city and 28 MPG highway.
mlezcano@carsntravel.com
