After thirteen months of service and over 22,000 kilometres our Kona Blue 2016 Ford Focus Electric continues to provide very quiet, trouble free, and emissions-less service. Life with the Focus has been…

2016 Ford Focus Electric | Long-term update

After thirteen months of service and over 22,000 kilometres our Kona Blue 2016 Ford Focus Electric continues to provide very quiet, trouble free, and emissions-less service. Life with the Focus has been extremely pleasant, almost without compromise.

2016 Ford Focus Electric Range Meter
Our long-term Focus test vehicle has covered over 22,000 in about 11 months. (Photo: Eli Oszlak, TheCarMagazine.com) 

Typical days involve about 80 kilometres of mixed city traffic and high-speed travel. Here in Ontario, the High Occupancy Vehicle lane allows electric vehicles to utilize these lanes, which tends to save about 15 minutes of commuting time each way to the office.

On some days the Focus has been pressed into service to carry hockey bags and sticks as far as 65 kilometers each way. During the winter months, when the use of the heater cuts into the available range, these trips need to be carefully planned. Such is life with a generation-one electric car.

2016 Ford Focus Electric - Long term test vehicle
Our 2016 Ford Focus Electric, all shiny and clean after a visit to Petro Canada’s SuperWash. (Photo: Eli Oszlak, TheCarMagazine.com)

As you can imagine, the driver of a gasoline-powered Focus would not have to plan quite so carefully. But with the cost of regular no-lead fuel approaching $1.20 per litre, the economic benefit of an electric vehicle is becoming more evident each month.

Check out our detailed story after the Focus achieves her one year anniversary next month.

Did the changes to Ford’s fourth-generation 2017 Escape go far enough to keep it in the upper echelon of the hotly contested compact SUV mix? We’ll answer this question and many others in our upcoming…

2017 Ford Escape Titanium

Did the changes to Ford’s fourth-generation 2017 Escape go far enough to keep it in the upper echelon of the hotly contested compact SUV mix? We’ll answer this question and many others in our upcoming review of the 2017 Escape Titanium.

2017 Ford Escape
A new hexagonal grille aligns the Escape with its bigger Edge brother. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)

Ford gave its popular Escape a redesign for 2017, with the most prominent differentiator being a new grille, while behind that six-sided aperture is a new 180 horsepower 1.5-litre turbo-four in select trims, replacing last year’s 1.6-litre four. Base models continue with the 2.5-litre four, and top trims like this Titanium feature Ford’s 2.0-litre turbo.

2017 Ford Escape
It’s easy to see the old Escape’s design in this “all new” one. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)

Do you want a few review teasers? The Escape now includes auto stop/start that shuts the engine off when it would otherwise be idling, helping to save fuel and reduce emissions, while inside there’s a new electromechanical parking brake, as well as Ford’s new Sync 3 infotainment system in upper trims, which is one of the key reasons buyers should consider the Escape over its competitors.

There’s a lot more to the 2017 update, with available features including loads of active convenience and safety kit such as auto high beams, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, and an

2017 Ford Escape
The Escape has long been a leader in electronic interfaces and Sync3 is a big step up. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)

updated semi-autonomous self-parking system that can steer the Escape into perpendicular slots as well as parallel spots, while available Sync Connect let’s Escape owners check fuel level, unlock the doors, or start the engine remotely from their smartphone.

2017 Ford Escape
Spacious cabin provides plenty of comfort and luxury. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)

Come back soon to get all the details about Ford’s 2017 Escape Titanium. We’ll let you know how it drives, how its features work, and how popular it is with Canadian compact SUV buyers.