Words: Kevin C. Limjoco
Photos: Isabel N. Delos Reyes

The Expedition and the Escape are the last major Ford models to get the big corporate identity refresh. Until the new Escape is released later in the year as a 2017 model, Ford decided to do a very subtle update to the current model and we test it out here in Ruby Red metallic.

The more perceptive readers will quickly notice that there are no visual or mechanical changes yet. In fact we only recognized two functional differences, one is significant while the other is a step back. The 390-watt Sony audio system now features one of the biggest updates from Ford, the new SYNC 3 with Siri seamless integration that promised and mostly delivers on its finest voice-activated technology. The new SYNC 3 was much easier to use, while the interface also looks and reacts better. The GUI is considerably better and more crisp with a close familiarity to smartphones. You have more freedom with speech commands that are more natural and less scripted. The learning curve is definitely way more forgiving and basically works as it should.

The odd changes in the interior, however, are the front dashboard climate control side-vents, which lost their secondary lower adjustable blowers; now you simply have a full regular vent. I know it sounds inconsequential, and it is, in reality, to the general consumer, but it was a neat feature that I particularly liked, hence why I noticed its absence swiftly. All else stands the same.

It is reasonable to assume that the new 2017 model will use the newly revised and slightly more potent 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine that we first tried in the Edge along with automatic engine stop-start to improve fuel economy, and adaptive cruise control with forward-collision warning. The Ford Escape is still an outstanding full featured CUV/Crossover, but it definitely lost ground to the competition, hence why Ford is reacting accordingly. I am confident that the 2017 model will reinstate the Escape back on top of its segment.

Specifications:

Engine: Inline-4, 1999 cc, dohc 16V, Direct Injection Intercooled Turbo, VVT, 6-Speed AT
Max power: 240 bhp @ 5500 rpm
Max torque: 270 lb ft @ 1750-3000 rpm
0-100 km/h (0-62mph): 7.2 sec.
Top Speed: 210 km/h (130 mph) Governed
Fuel Mileage: 21 mpg City / 28 mpg Highway
Price as tested: PhP 1,790,000.00
+Supposedly the last update before the new heavily-updated model is released later in the year
-Due for its mid-cycle model refresh despite steadily increasing North American sales.

C! RATING 9.5/10