“Love the overall look of the vehicle. Interior is not totally what I would have wanted. Seats are a cheaper material: not water resistant.”
2017 Ford Escape: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2017 Ford Escape gets a major mid-cycle refresh led by redesigned exterior styling and a reworked cabin. It also gains updated turbo engines, connectivity, and driver-assistance features.
About the 2017 Ford Escape
3rd generation (2013-2019), major mid-cycle refresh year
Ford positions the Escape as a compact SUV for everyday life and spur-of-the-moment getaways. Its core appeal is the mix of easy city size, useful cargo room, available all-weather traction, and a cabin designed around phones, passengers, and daily errands. Compared with many rivals, Ford leans on the Escape’s more responsive turbo power, car-like road manners, and easy-to-use tech to make it feel like a practical family SUV that is still enjoyable to drive.
The S is the straightforward everyday version, while the SE adds a turbo engine, a power driver’s seat, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Titanium is the comfort-and-tech-focused trim, with heated leather-trimmed seats, an 8-inch touchscreen, upgraded Sony audio, a hands-free power liftgate, and blind-spot monitoring.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
SE and Titanium move from the previous 1.6-liter turbo engine to a 1.5-liter turbo with automatic engine stop-start. A revised twin-scroll 2.0-liter turbo is also part of the refreshed engine range.
Styling
Ford redesigned the front and rear of every Escape. Inside, a moved shifter, an electronic parking brake, and a revised center console create more storage.
Safety
Lane-keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control join the driver-assistance options. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert becomes standard on Titanium.
Tech
The updated touchscreen system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while SYNC Connect adds built-in connected services. Dual-zone automatic climate control becomes standard on SE.
2017 Ford Escape specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, EcoBoost, 1.5T / 4-Cyl, EcoBoost, 2.0T | 4-Cyl, EcoBoost, 1.5T / 4-Cyl, EcoBoost, 2.0T |
| Transmission | Auto, 6-Spd w/SelShft | Auto, 6-Spd w/SelShft | Auto, 6-Spd w/SelShft |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD / 4WD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 21 mpg | 22–23 mpg | 20–23 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 29 mpg | 29–30 mpg | 27–30 mpg |
| Horsepower | 168 hp | 179–245 hp | 179–245 hp |
| Torque | 170 lb-ft | 177–275 lb-ft | 177–275 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 1500 lb | 3500 lb | 3500 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 68 cu-ft | 68 cu-ft | 68 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 37.3 in | 37.3 in | 37.3 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | |||
| Alarm System | |||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | |||
| Automatic High Beams | |||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||
| Driver Attention Assist Monitor | |||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||
| Park Assist | |||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | |||
| Rear Parking Sensors | |||
| Rear View Camera | |||
| Alloy Wheels | |||
| Fog Lights | |||
| HID Headlights | |||
| Heated Mirrors | |||
| LED Daytime Running Lights | |||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | |||
| Panorama Moon Roof | |||
| Power Close Liftgate/Trunk | |||
| Power Liftgate/Trunk Release | |||
| Privacy Glass | |||
| Rear Spoiler | |||
| Roof Rails | |||
| Navigation System | |||
| Premium Audio | |||
| Satellite Radio | |||
| Smartphone Interface | |||
| Touch Screen Monitor | |||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||
| Dual Power Front Seats | |||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||
| Rear Air Conditioning | |||
| Heated Front Seats | |||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | |||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | |||
| Leather Seats | |||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | |||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||
| Memory Front Seats | |||
| Power Driver Seat | |||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||
| Remote Start | |||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest difference between the 2017 Ford Escape and the 2016 model?
The biggest difference is the 2017 Escape’s mid-cycle refresh. It has redesigned front and rear styling, a reorganized cabin with more console storage, updated turbo engines, and newer connectivity and driver-assistance technology.
Did the 2017 Ford Escape get new engines?
Yes. The 2017 Escape SE and Titanium replace the previous 1.6-liter turbo with a 1.5-liter turbo as their standard engine, and the refreshed range also includes an updated twin-scroll 2.0-liter turbo. Both newer turbo engines use automatic engine stop-start.
Does the 2017 Ford Escape support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
Yes. The 2017 Escape’s updated SYNC 3 touchscreen system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 8-inch SYNC 3 screen is standard on Titanium.
What safety technology changed on the 2017 Ford Escape?
The 2017 Escape adds lane-keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control to its driver-assistance options. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert also becomes standard on Titanium.
What equipment became standard on the 2017 Escape SE and Titanium?
Dual-zone automatic climate control becomes standard on the 2017 Escape SE, while blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert becomes standard on Titanium.
2017 Ford Escape Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2017 Ford Escape.
4.2
2017 Ford Escape
(1,607 reviews)
“I love my Ford Escape, it has a very roomy backseat with plenty of legroom. It has plenty of cargo capacity and the seats fold down for extra room. It has everything you need and is priced right. The MPG is decent.”
“The Ford escape has the basic features that will fit the needs of most people who are slightly tech savvy. It's great in the snow and had been a very reliable vehicle for the time I've owned it.”