Why I Think Ford Should Stuff the Focus RS Engine in the Escape!
Yes, I’m talking about an Escape RS, and before you call me crazy, remember that Ford just stuffed a 450 horsepower turbocharged 3.5 liter 6-cylinder engine in an off-road pickup truck, and a 350 horsepower turbocharged 2.3 liter 4-cylinder engine in an economy hatchback.
Thinking about it, a super-sports crossover isn’t too crazy after all, huh? The idea of an Escape RS came to life when I took a 2017 Ford Escape equipped with the 1.5 liter EcoBoost engine that Ford loaned me for review, on a weekend trip to rural West Virginia. There, I encountered some incredible driving roads that ranged from narrow and twisty, to wide and smooth. Regardless of the conditions, the Escape’s 175 horsepower delivered shocking performance that made me “LOL” a few times.
As I used the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters to make my way through the hairpins around the River Gorge area, all I could think about was: “Man, I should’ve brought a Focus RS.” Then I thought: “Man, what if this Escape had as much horsepower as the Focus RS.” Then I thought: “Man, that would totally be the poorman’s Porsche Macan GTS!”
All joking aside, the Escape’s versatility was downright impressive. The all-wheel drive system was rather helpful on dirt roads, the auto-high-beam headlights were on-point for long highway-stints at night, the Titanium trim’s leather seats were fairly comfortable, and the SYNC3 infotainment system worked well and didn’t frustrate me at any point. It’s worth mentioning it featured Apple CarPlay as well. What could’ve made my weekend better? 350 horsepower and stickier rubber, that’s what.
Ford Escape RS—I’d buy it.
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