The all-new 2013 Ford Escape is slated to arrive in dealerships later this spring. It will be available with a choice of three four-cylinder engines: a 171-hp 2.5L, 177-hp 1.6L EcoBoost and the top 237-hp 2.0L EcoBoost. Ford has also announced that when equipped with the turbocharged 2.0L EcoBoost engine, the Escape can tow up to 3,500 pounds, which puts it at the top of its class among small SUVs with turbocharged four-cylinder engines.
The next closest competitor, the Volkswagen Tiguan, has a tow rating of just 2,200 pounds, while the turbocharged Kia Sportage has a tow rating of 2,000 pounds.
The 2.0L four-cylinder EcoBoost engine replaces the 3.0L V6 in the current Escape.
“Smaller-displacement engines have a fundamental efficiency advantage,” said Roger Maynard, Powertrain supervisor for the 2013 Ford Escape. “These inherent efficiencies are improved with the EcoBoost technology of direct fuel injection and turbocharging.”