Many Canadians will remember 2015 as a down year, especially when it comes to the price of oil, our directly related sagging

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economy and concurrently plummeting dollar, yet the new reality of a devalued currency hasn’t effected automotive sales one iota, at least in certain sectors. In fact, we’ve had our best year yet in the compact crossover SUV segment.

Of the 13 models currently sold in the mainstream volume branded compact CUV category, only five didn’t experience best-ever sales. Sliding sales from some of these models might be easy to explain due to old designs that don’t fully measure up anymore, such as the GMC Terrain, but while it lost ground the identically aged Chevrolet Equinox gained a few hundred sales over its 2014 tally, although didn’t come close to its strongest calendar year. The aging Kia Sportage and mostly new Mitsubishi Outlander experienced similar results, gaining numbers in 2015 while not

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achieving best-ever results, leaving only that Terrain and this Ford Escape as models that lost ground.

It’s not all bad news for the Escape, however, actually far from it. The single reason its sales slid backward was because last year’s numbers were shockingly good, 2014 resulting in 52,198 Escape sales for its best-ever results as well as record sales for any model within the Canadian compact SUV class. What’s more, while sales have dropped to 47,726 units during 2015, it’s still the bestselling model in its segment by a long shot.

Toyota’s RAV4 gained significantly to take second place with 42,246 units sold, but

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that’s still 5,480 sales short of the Escape’s final tally, whereas the Honda CR-V managed third with just 38,961 units down the road. Fourth was the Nissan Rogue at 35,841 units, while the newish Jeep Cherokee found 31,833 buyers for fifth place. After this the numbers are significantly smaller, the Mazda CX-5 achieving 22,281 sales, Chevy Equinox with 19,766 deliveries, Hyundai Tucson at 16,362, Subaru Forester with 12,706, GMC Terrain at 10,844, Volkswagen Tiguan at 11,459 (still seeing growth despite all the self-inflicted mayhem VW experienced), Kia Sportage at 6,509, and Mitsubishi Outlander with 6,108 sales. So Ford can cry over its losses if it wants to, but if I were in their shoes I’d still be celebrating being number one in this critically important segment and also achieving the Escape’s second-best Canadian sales ever.

Spend

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a little time in a new Escape and you’ll quickly understand why it’s capable of holding onto first place despite this current generation’s age and the onslaught of recently updated and all-new competitors. The Escape is now in the fourth year of its third generation, hardly new and exciting, yet it’s so good at everything compact SUV buyers want and need that even completely new rivals can look inadequate in comparison, while older ones, like the already noted GM duo, are laughably outclassed in every measurable quantifier.

I’m not going to spend any time (ok not much time) bashing the “new for 2016” GMC Terrain Denali that I picked up from GM the very same day I returned the Escape, but despite my top-line 2016 Escape Titanium being filled up with extras like

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4WD that adds $2,200 to the Titanium’s $32,199 base price, plus $550 worth of White Platinum paint, $650 for a gorgeous set of 19-inch Lustre Nickel painted alloys, a $500 Class II towing package, the $2,000 Canadian Touring package that adds voice-activated navigation to the completely updated Sync 3 infotainment system, a great sounding Sony audio upgrade and an open and airy powered panoramic sunroof overhead, plus $350 more for partial-leather V-shaped sport seats (full leather is standard with the Titanium), and $1,750 for the 301A Equipment Group that adds HID headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, autonomous active park assist and front park assist, plus blind spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, its $41,989 price tag is still $5,301 less expensive than that comparatively naked GMC. If the Terrain Denali was even half as nicely finished or even

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slightly more fully featured I might not complain, but it lacked soft-touch surfaces in key areas, its electronic interfaces weren’t even remotely close to being as up-to-date, it was devoid of numerous features such as that panoramic sunroof, all of the kit in the 301A group, as well as proximity-sensing access with pushbutton start and dual-zone auto HVAC, while its cargo area wasn’t as functional, its powertrain hopelessly thirsty (albeit powerful), and the list could go on ad nauseam, but again I promised I wouldn’t beat up on the Terrain (review coming soon… I won’t hold back so much then).

The one thing the Terrain Denali has over the Escape is some cool new aluminum-look trim that dresses up the exterior styling to the point that it looks a bit more upscale, but as we all know, looks can be deceiving. The true premium SUV

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is the Escape Titanium, and it doesn’t look all that bad either. In fact, its shape has held up well for being three years into its lifecycle. It remains one of the few Ford models not to adopt the Aston Martin inspired grille design the brand is now thankfully leaving in the proper care of Newport Pagnell as it always should have been, and for having an original shape I give it yet bigger marks from a design perspective. It was truly eye-catching when it first came out, almost radical. Its narrow top grillette and much bolder and deeper lower engine vent, which is mostly a glossy black bumper cap sidled by upper and lower intakes, gets flanked by sporty side “vents” that are also finished in solid glossy black plastic despite looking like racy brake ducts, these underscored by large fog lamps shaped in similar fashion to those headlamps I mentioned earlier.

This

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being a Titanium, a satin-silver undertray added a classy touch just below, matching the large aforementioned 19-inch alloys in colour, while the same satin-silver highlighted the roof rails up top and the bumper cap in the rear, this vantage point also showing off dual chrome tipped exhaust pipes. There’s lots of chrome all around too, including the single rib across the upper grille and that opening’s lower surround, the faux side engine vent, the window surrounds, and the liftgate garnish. The Escape Titanium is a nice design from front to back, while those HID headlamps look dazzling in their jewel-like splendor, its mirror cap turn signals add a bit of brilliance to each profile, and tail lamps are also plenty attractive, but I must say it’s missing some of its competitors de rigueur LED detailing.


Gaining

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access can be done via remote key fob or the Titanium’s standard proximity-sensing system, which also incorporates no-hands powered rear liftgate operation via a swipe of the leg under the rear bumper, or alternatively if you’re engaged in activity that might damage an electronic device (the key fob), such as swimming, or if concerned about losing your key on the beach, during a hike, or somewhere else it might be irretrievable, Ford integrates a touch-sensitive digital security keypad to the driver’s side B-pillar that lets you punch in a personal code to lock and then get back inside, where you can leave your keys in safety. No other automaker offers anything like it, and I’ve spoken to many Ford and Lincoln owners that swear by its usefulness.

Once inside it’s easy to see the differences between this three-year old model and some that purport to be new. The Titanium boasts a soft-touch dash top as well as soft,

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padded surfacing for the front door uppers, while there’s plenty of satin-silver and bright metal detailing as well. I like Ford’s choice of grey lacquered plastic accent trim rather than the usual shiny piano black stuff, as it’s not only a nice change from that completely overused trend, but it doesn’t show the dust as easily, won’t make dirty smudges so apparent and allows scratches to seemingly disappear.

Another Escape bonus is very high-quality switchgear, much of it good enough to be used on Lincoln products above blue-oval price points. They all fit together well and are nicely damped while their materials quality is good too, some of the dials even using rubber grips for a very upscale appearance and feel.

Speaking

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of upscale, Ford has long being a leader when it comes to high-resolution, full-colour digital displays, and this latest 2016 Escape Titanium has taken multi-function infotainment to new heights. The primary gauge package is the same, but believe me no one’s going to complain about that. It’s really a beautiful piece of work with sporty white on black speedometer and tachometer dials set within brushed aluminum shrouds, the highlights being aqua-blue backlit needles. The multi-information display at centre is unbelievably sharp and clear with such finely detailed graphics and script that anyone yet to experience will no doubt be amazed. If not the highest resolution MID in the industry it’s one of the best, premium brands included, and comes full of useful features.

The circular button on the left steering wheel spoke is all you’ll need to scroll through

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its functions and activate features, the up and down arrows swapping information as needed. It’s laid out in a familiar Ford quadrant, and includes a trip odometer, average mileage (which was 11.9 L/100km), real-time mileage, and distance to empty. Scrolling downward gives you a larger readout of distance to empty, the trip odometer, another trip odometer that shows hours, minutes, and even seconds to arrival, plus a larger instant fuel economy readout, larger average fuel economy display, and a digital speedometer. That all changes when you click the left side arrow, scroll up or down, and/or choose another function. For instance the “i” for information lets you scroll through various systems, modulate the intelligent four-wheel drive, set up MyKey, or go to settings where you can change driver assist, the lighting display, chimes, convenience, and more. It’s a comprehensive MID

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that will keep you plenty busy, although I still found it easy enough to use so it should be helpful for maximizing the Escape’s livability.

Over on the centre stack, the infotainment system has been completely upgraded and is fabulous. I was one of the previous MyFord Touch system’s proponents, but I have to say this new setup is a big leap forward. It’s 100-percent touchscreen activated, so the best way to get started is to press the little house-shaped pictograph on the top left portion of the screen, which gives you a home screen with a full complement of features. The navigation map is most prominently displayed to the left, while the square to the right shows audio info above and phone

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connectivity below. A strip of digital buttons lay across the bottom, allowing quick access to audio, climate, phone, nav, apps, and settings interfaces.

The audio and climate screens include all the expected features, yet their graphics are wonderfully appealing in their absolute minimalism, the former getting a thick circular animated dial that adds or subtracts more blue to the white background when increasing or decreasing volume, the entire infotainment system using an attractive light blue and white on black theme. The Sync 3’s phone section lets you check recent calls, your contact list, connection, and text messages, while it can also bring up a keypad or be set to do not disturb. Navigation, as you can imagine, posts a larger version of the map just mentioned across the entire screen, as well as separate buttons for setting a destination, and more. The only app included in the apps section was Sirius Travel Link, but there’s a button that lets you search for new apps via Wi-Fi.

The

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settings section is filled to the brim with both the usual sound, clock, Bluetooth, phone, navigation, 911 assist, vehicle features, display adjustment, voice control, and valet mode features, plus the above noted Wi-Fi, mobile app settings, and ambient lighting functions, everything here giving you opportunity to make your Escape Titanium as personal and connected as possible. There are actually two panels of settings in the stock system, a swish with your finger to the right or left showing the second set of features. It works just like your smartphone and, as far as auto infotainment goes, is some seriously impressive kit.

Other features that support the infotainment system include two powered USB slots and a 12-volt charger housed within the narrow but deep centre console bin, while just in ahead on the lower console are five-way seat heaters that flank another 12-volt charger. These heatable seats are some of the best in this class, offering

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more temperature settings than average and a really toasty top position. Of note, the Escape doesn’t offer optional heatable rear seats, an omission that a redesign will likely rectify, but there’s a 110-volt three-prong household-style plug on the back portion of the centre console, so along with those USBs charging your devices couldn’t be any easier.

Heatable elements in mind, the HVAC system is dual-zone and automatic, and while it works ideally you might find it a tad difficult to adjust before hitting the road or if parked and idling while waiting for someone. The problem comes down to sightlines, with at least half of the interface blocked by the shift lever and knob when the transmission is in Park. I needed to put my foot on the brake pedal and pull the shifter rearward into Drive to get a good clear view of the control panel, not a very convenient process.

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Once visible it’s a nicely laid out high-quality HVAC interface that includes two rotating dials on each side for individual temperature adjustment.

The upgraded sport seat upholstery is a mix of a nice breathable cloth and contrast-stitched leather, all done out in a design that I find very attractive. As noted leather is standard, and being that the upgraded seats are a standalone option you don’t have to forgo any other features in order to delete them if the fabric/leather combo isn’t your thing. Along with their added ventilation comes excellent overall comfort and good lateral support, the latter necessary in a vehicle that handles as well as the Escape Titanium.

I’m not sure how much the one-inch larger alloys helped my tester hold its line through the corners, but it felt light and agile. Really, the Escape is a lively and enjoyable

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SUV to pitch through the curves, while it combines this athleticism with one of the better rides in its class. Braking is strong too, necessary due to the turbocharged direct-injection 2.0-litre Ecoboost engine’s energetic performance, this model putting 240 horsepower and 231 lb-ft of torque down to all four wheels, although a front-wheel drive version comes standard if you’d rather save a bit upon purchase and ongoing at the pump, my 4WD tester claimed to achieve 11.4 L/100km city, 8.4 highway and 10.0 combined, whereas the FWD version is good for 10.9 city, 7.9 highway and 9.6 combined.

Accompanying the engine is a six-speed automatic transmission that’s plenty smooth and certainly runs through the gears quickly enough, plus it comes with a toggle on the shifter knob for thumb-actuated gear changes, a manual-mode process

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Ford calls SelectShift that’s a bit easier than “strong-arming” the entire shift lever, yet it still falls short of steering wheel-mounted paddles.

Along with the comfortable ride is a quiet cabin that’s also suitably large and roomy front to rear, those seats in back offering lower back support that’s almost as good as those up front, whereas the cargo compartment is especially accommodating with a total of 971 litres (34.3 cubic feet) behind the 60/40 split-folding second row seatbacks and 1,920 litres (67.8 cubic feet) when they’re laid flat. There are no levers on the cargo walls so you’ll need to lower them from the side doors, which is a shame because after flipping the headrests down, a process possible from the cargo area, a mere tug on a lever next to the lower seat cushion causes the seatbacks to fold completely flat without any extra help needed, while nifty

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flaps automatically fall into place to cover the gap between seats and cargo floor that would otherwise swallow up smaller items like wandering fruits, vegetables, etc. If Ford just added as set of levers to the back, this would be one of the slickest setups in the industry. The cargo area also includes a nice beefy retractable tonneau cover, which looks as if it will last as long as the rest of the vehicle.

While I’ve covered my tester’s options I haven’t gone over all of the Escape Titanium’s standard features, but suffice to say it’s a very well equipped compact SUV that won’t leave you feeling hard done by in the slightest. In fact, in many ways it’s a great deal nicer than some supposed premium-branded crossover utes. Its four-star NHTSA crash test is a star shy of some in this class, nor does it earn a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, but Ford ranks above average in the latest J.D. Power

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Initial Quality Study while the Escape is tied for first amongst all compact SUVs, alongside the Chevy Equinox. This in mind the Escape doesn’t appear amongst the top three in the same third-party analytical firm’s Vehicle Dependability Study, the top position here ironically held by the GMC Terrain.

All-round the latest 2016 Ford Escape Titanium is a compact CUV that I’d feel comfortable recommending to anyone, made all the better thanks to the impressive new Sync 3 infotainment system. But don’t just take my word for it. Over the last two years nearly 100,000 Canadians chose the Escape over any of its competitors, and as we’ve learned from a once-popular TV game show, referring to “the audience” is rarely a bad idea.
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