Used Ford Escape NH
The Ford Escape is not a new model to the compact SUV market. In fact, it’s been on the road since 2001, and now here we are 17 years later. It is still ranked as one of the top compact SUVs in its class.
A used Ford Escape would be a great find, especially if you can find one with all the bells and whistles. They are safe and reliable SUVs that are more than acceptable for a growing family or a young driver.
Let’s explore some of the options afforded by the used Ford Escape lineup.
Trims
The 2016 model comes in three trims: S, SE, and Titanium. Each one is more impressive than the next.
S
The S trim is the base trim with this 2016 model. It comes with a 2.5 liter four-cylinder engine, which gives the Escape 168 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy isn’t bad. You get 22 city/31 highway/25 combined mpg with the FWD model. You also get cruise control, air conditioning, rear view camera, integrated blind spot mirrors, SYNC voice command, Bluetooth, a 6-speaker audio system, reclining rear seats, and a MyKey programmable key fob - which allows parents to set limits on the radio volume and top speeds for their young drivers, and 17-inch wheels with plastic covers.
SE
The SE model is pretty impressive for a middle grade trim. Along with the 2.5 liter engine, there is the 1.6 liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder, 178 horsepower with 184 pound-feet of torque, which also has either AWD or FWD drive trains. You’ll get 23 city/32 highway/26 combined mpg if you have FWD, and 22 city/29 highway/25 combined mpg if you have the AWD option.
There is also a 2.0 liter EcoBoost turbocharged 240 horsepower with 270 pound-feet of torque. As for the amenities, you get 17-in alloy wheels, upgraded cloth upholstery, rear-center armrest, exterior keypads for the door locks (which is genius if you ask me, as someone who tends to accidentally lock their keys inside the car sometimes), satellite radio, power-driver seat with lumbar adjustment, fog lights, and automatic headlights.
Along with those standard amenities, you may come across some or all of the optional features that the SE trim offered. You could get roof rails, panoramic sunroof, voice activated navigation, 18-in alloy wheels, dual automatic climate zones, a 110-volt power outlet, upgraded SYNC system with AppLink smartphone integration, an 8-in touchscreen, 9-speaker sound system, dual USB ports, and an SD card reader. Even just finding a few of those would feel like a jackpot because they add to the excitement of driving the SUV.
Titanium
This trim is exciting. It’s exciting because you get most of the SE standard and optional features in one little package. In addition to those, you get keyless entry and starting of the car, automatic dimming rear view mirror, power adjusting front passenger seat, a power lift tailgate with motion sensing activation. There was an upgrade to the sound system, adding a Sony sound system with 10 speakers - standard!
Other options that you may see are a 2.0 EcoBoost turbocharged engine, panoramic sunroof, parking sensor, navigation, bi-xenon headlights, blind spot monitoring with cross-traffic detection, and available self-parking. The self-parking option is great for those that are not comfortable with their parallel parking skills, or are visiting a city that they are not familiar with. Since you are buying used, if you find a 2016 Escape Titanium, don’t let it pass you by.
Performance
There are three engine styles that you may find between all of the trim levels.
The standard engine in the 2016 Escape is a 2.5 liter, four-cylinder engine that has available turbocharged boosts. The turbocharged options are one of the two: 1.6-liter engine with 178 horsepower or 2.0-liter engine with 240 horsepower. All options are available with automatic transmission standard. The 2.5 liter engine gets 22 city/31 highway mpg, while the 1.6-liter engine gets 23 city/32 highway mpg. This is pretty on par with other compact SUVs in its class.
The 2.5-liter engine is fine enough, but the EcoBoost option is really what makes this a fun vehicle to drive. The 1.6-liter engine is also very satisfying with the delivery and fuel economy and the Titanium turbo gives you the acceleration that generally you see in luxury crossovers.
In a US News and World Report article, some people that had taken the SUV out for a test drive said that the “base model had adequate power for the everyday commute,” but the 1.6-liter engine gives you better acceleration and the 2.0-liter engine had the best acceleration of all of the engine types. Even with this, the cabin stays pretty quiet and refined with a very smooth and responsive transmission. It has a sportier side when looking at its handling, similar to that of the Ford Focus hatchback.
Its ride tends to be a little firm, but still comfortable, though if you have the 19-in wheels, you’ll feel the road a little more, making the ride a bit harder.
It comes with either a FWD or AWD option, both which include a revised rear-suspension, though very well-tuned. When going over bumps, it’s very well pulled together, and the elevated driving experience gives you a feeling of control when on the road, as well as better visibility.
Sometimes, the seats can feel a little narrow, but they still give you the comfort and support that you look for in a compact SUV. As mentioned, the cabin is quiet when on the highway and even gives you an upscale feel, and the 19-in wheels on the Titanium trim look great, but really make you feel the road - which some people might enjoy.
Safety
The Escape models have some pretty impressive safety features that come along with them. They have Ford’s Personal Safety System and Safe Canopy System, which comes with a wide array of airbags, including: front side impact airbags, side-curtain airbags, and driver side knee airbags. It also includes anti-lock disc brakes on all four wheels, traction and stability control - all as part of the standard safety equipment.
The 2017 model also received 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests - receiving 4 stars for front impact and 5 stars for side impact. It also received a rating of “Good” by the IIHS for the moderate overlap in the frontal offset, side impact, and roof strength crash tests. It also offers the LATCH system for the tiny tots in your life, allowing access for lower anchors or tether anchors.
This makes installing a car seat a breeze, and not to mention safe.
Find a Used Escape at Our Ford Dealer in NH
A used Ford Escape is a great value for New Hampshire car buyers looking to save money without sacrificing quality. Thanks to some of the best performance in its class and plenty of incredible trim options, it's one of the few SUVs on the market that offers nearly everything a NH buyer could want!
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