Photo: CarPix
Also known as the Kuga in Europe, the Ford Escape is the Blue Oval’s least expensive SUV in the land of the Red, White, and Blue. Available from $22,960, the third-generation Escape started production in May 2012. As such, the time has come to freshen up the compact SUV and bring it to the present day.
Our spy photographers caught the facelifted Escape in its camouflage nightgown recently, yet the plain brown wrapper isn’t exactly enough to keep changes away from prying eyes. Slated to start production early next year, the updated Ford Escape (and Kuga) is likely to arrive on US soil as a 2017 model year.
Starting with a heavily revamped front grille inspired from the 2015 Ford Edge and 2016 Ford Fusion, it seems like the Blue Oval wants to align the Escape to its more modern lineup. Another change that’s meant to enhance the appeal of the Escape comes in the guise of new headlights, accented by LED daytime running lights. The Edge’s clusters were an inspiration.
Though it’s rather hard to see, the lower part of the front bumper, sides included, was remodeled a wee bit. As for modifications performed at the rear, visual changes are less obvious than what we’re offered at the front. Look forward to a new tailgate design and revised taillights. It may be camouflaged by black blankets, but the interior also hides minimal changes over the current Escape, including third-gen SYNC infotainment.
At the present moment, not much is known about what’s in store on the oily bits front. A wild stab in the dark, you ask? Our opinion is that the outgoing 1.6-liter EcoBoost in the 2015 Ford Escape SE/Titanium will be swapped with the 1.5-liter EcoBoost of the 2016 Ford Fusion and Europe-bound 2015 Ford Kuga.
Despite it being 97 ccs (0.1L of displacement) down on the 1.6, the 1.5L EcoBoost is more frugal and claims 3 additional horsepower and 1 more lb-ft for a grand total of 181 HP and 185 lb-ft (250 Nm) of torque.
Starting with a heavily revamped front grille inspired from the 2015 Ford Edge and 2016 Ford Fusion, it seems like the Blue Oval wants to align the Escape to its more modern lineup. Another change that’s meant to enhance the appeal of the Escape comes in the guise of new headlights, accented by LED daytime running lights. The Edge’s clusters were an inspiration.
Though it’s rather hard to see, the lower part of the front bumper, sides included, was remodeled a wee bit. As for modifications performed at the rear, visual changes are less obvious than what we’re offered at the front. Look forward to a new tailgate design and revised taillights. It may be camouflaged by black blankets, but the interior also hides minimal changes over the current Escape, including third-gen SYNC infotainment.
At the present moment, not much is known about what’s in store on the oily bits front. A wild stab in the dark, you ask? Our opinion is that the outgoing 1.6-liter EcoBoost in the 2015 Ford Escape SE/Titanium will be swapped with the 1.5-liter EcoBoost of the 2016 Ford Fusion and Europe-bound 2015 Ford Kuga.
Despite it being 97 ccs (0.1L of displacement) down on the 1.6, the 1.5L EcoBoost is more frugal and claims 3 additional horsepower and 1 more lb-ft for a grand total of 181 HP and 185 lb-ft (250 Nm) of torque.
Google News