2017 Ford Escape

The 2017 Ford Escape SE is a compelling choice in the compact SUV class, offering a balance of practicality, style, and everyday usability. On the outside, it carries the modern and athletic design language that Ford emphasized in that era: a prominent grille, swept-back headlights, sculpted fenders, and bold character lines sculpted into the sides. From most angles it looks clean and purposeful rather than overly aggressive or fussy. Under the hood, the SE trim often comes equipped with a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which makes around 179 horsepower and drives through a six-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain strikes a reasonable middle ground: energetic enough for highway passes or city merging, yet efficient enough for daily commuting. Though not a performance model, the Escape SE provides confident acceleration and steady responsiveness in typical driving conditions. On the road, the Escape SE feels composed and comfortable. Its suspension is tuned more for everyday comfort than sporty handling, which means that most road imperfections and bumps are well absorbed. Body roll is moderate in sharper turns, but never destabilizing, and the steering is responsive and light at lower speedshelpful for maneuvering in tight parking areas. At higher speeds, it feels planted and secure, contributing to confidence on highways. Inside, the Escape SEs cabin feels functional and thoughtfully packaged. The layout is intuitive, with controls easily reachable and straightforward in design. The materials dont match luxury standards but are appropriate for its class: a mix of durable plastics, soft-touch elements in key touch zones, and interesting accenting that adds visual appeal. The seats are comfortable and supportive for the driver, and the second row offers ample legroom and headroom for adult passengers. Visibility is good from most seats, though rearward sightlines are slightly affected by the thicker rear pillars typical of compact SUVs. Cargo flexibility is a strength: the Escape offers a generous cargo area with the rear seats up, and lowering the back seats opens up a much larger space suitable for larger loads. The rear hatch is easy to use, and the load floor is relatively flat, making loading and unloading bulkier items more manageable. Standard features in the SE trim include keyless entry, power accessories, air conditioning (often dual-zone depending on options), a touchscreen infotainment interface (SYNC), Bluetooth connectivity, USB and auxiliary ports, and cruise control. Optional packages may add enhancements like upgraded audio, navigation, advanced driver-assist features (e.g., blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert), and more premium trim accents. Safety is well addressed: the 2017 Escape SE includes anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control, front and side airbags, curtain airbags, and child-seat anchor points. In crash evaluations it performs respectably, offering confidence for occupants in varied driving environments. All told, the 2017 Ford Escape SE is a dependable, practical compact SUV. It doesnt aim to be a performance leader or a luxury showpiece, but rather a well-balanced, capable vehicle that suits families, commuters, and everyday drivers who value comfort, functionality, and a modern design.