Buyer’s Guide: 2014 Ford Escape

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CHANGES FOR 2014:

- SEL trim no longer available.
- 2.0L FWD is standard on Titanium.
- Engine block heater optional on S.
- Rear view camera is standard on SE and Titanium trims; available on S.
- 18-inch Sparkle Nickel Aluminum wheel standard on Titanium.
- 18-inch Chrome Alloy finish wheels optional on SE.
- 19-inch Alloy Luster Nickel wheels optional on Titanium.
- Roof rack crossbars now optional on all models.
- Full-Leather seat trim standard on Titanium.
- Sport V-shaped seat with premium cloth and partial leather added.
- Paint changes: Sunset Metallic, Karat Gold added; Kodiak Brown discontinued.
- SYNC now available with AppLink.
- Four-way manual passenger seat now standard.
- Hands-free liftgate available with Class II trailer hitch.

A year after its release, the more rounded Escape gets a variety of tweaks in packaging to keep it competitive in an ever-crowded segment. The near range-topping SEL trim has been dropped in favour of additional options packages for the SE trim. Also new are full leather seats in Titanium models and the hands-free “kicker liftgate” can now work with a Class II trailer hitch installed.

Engine and transmission choices remain the same, but the 2.0L EcoBoost four-cylinder – with 240 hp (or 231 hp on regular gas) and 270 lb.-ft. of torque – is now standard on Titanium models. SE models receive Ford’s 1.6L EcoBoost, good for 178 hp (or 173 hp on regular gas) and 184 lb.-ft., while entry-level S models get an unboosted 2.5L Duratec four-cylinder producing 168 hp and 170 lb.-ft. of torque, no matter what fuel you put in the tank. All engines are mated to a six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission powering the front wheels or all four corners (with the exception of S trim, which is only available in front-wheel drive).

Read more http://www.autos.ca/ford/buyers-guide-2014-ford-escape/