Honestly, you need to test drive both engine options. I have a 2016 SE and test drove all three engines. The decision was simple after the test drives. I am sure that you will be happy with either choice.

The Escape is a great vehicle. Good Luck.

 

Well I did drive the 2014 titanium, and I will be checking out the 2017 SE tomorrow. I think the 2017 with a 2.0 adds $2k or so to the price, so the option is there.. But mostly I was concerned if the 1.5 has been good so far, and if not, just wondering what some common issues might be. If the 1.5 is a good motor I have no issue with taking a power loss for some fuel economy gains, as well as saving $2k.

What did you end up going with for a motor?

 

As for the motor, look at my signature....2.0L

As for MPG, the 2.0L is so strong, that I could care less for the very small MPG difference of the smaller motor. I learned long ago, not to skimp on HP. I once had a V6 Explorer and now have the V8. No going back.

I can't help you as far as the 1.5L reliablity, It has just come out on the 2017 model. The 2.0L has history and from what you will read on this forum, is very reliable.

 

If it were me, that would be a hard choice. I'd probably wait a few more paychecks and get a 2017 Titanium will any bells and whistles you might want, like the 2.0l engine.

 

Sounds like to me you haven't found the car YOU want yet. After the wife drove a 1.5, she almost walked away from the Escape altogether. That's when I had her drive a 2.0 Titanium.....that now sits in the driveway. The 1.5 is anemic at best. The 2.0 is a $1,295.00 up grade and worth ever cent. She hasn't got 500 miles on it yet but is getting 22.8 this tank of gas per the mileage indicator. Previous tank by paper was 23+ and that's mostly town driving in stop and go traffic. Per our experience, there's only one engine to get in the Escape, that's the 2.0. Great gas mileage for the platform and the dude will haul the mail when you need it. If you drive a 2.0, expect to spend more money to get it.

 

Everyone pretty much hit the nail on the head. Unless you really could care less about power I strongly advise the 2.0. I'm just saying that because I don't care that much either but I'm totally with jay on this one. I skimped on performance the first 3 vehicles I owned years ago when I was a young lad on a budget and really regretted it a lot. I ended up resenting all 3 of those cars. On paper the 1.5 sounds adequate but I know what I'm like and every single time I got into a scenario where a more responsive acceleration would've come in really handy I'd be ****** at myself for not spending that few extra $ per month. Ie:

1. Oh crap I didn't see that guy coming, I gotta get out of the way fast
2. More HP gives you a better margin for user error when you misjudge passing room
3. Smaller engines love city driving, larger love the highway. I do a good amount of highway
4. passengers! Ever buy a little small engine 4 banger that felt pretty sporty when it was just you in it? I have. And did I ever notice what a pig it felt like with 3 other people in it.
5. Hills. I hate vehicles with engines that want to downshift for every **** little incline they come across. Which is pretty much what every single smaller engine option does, Ford or otherwise. Even my 5.7 hemi downshifted on hills more than I wanted that's how much that annoys me.
5. Plan on using a trailer?

What if you just took an 84 month term on a 2017 with a 2.0? Would that fit your budget better? You could always roll it over in 60 months on a trade and probably break even. That would put you in a 2017 and the 2.0 so you'd get both the things you want. The 1.5 is better for people who are mostly going to be driving it as a single occupant as a city commuter IMO. But it's also my opinion that there's a hundred other vehicles better suited for that task than a compact CUV. If the 2014 is the only way you're getting the 2.0 I'd get the 2014 based on what my wants are.

 

My wife and I bought 2 identicle 2013 Escapes with 1.6L engines in Nov 2012. Shortly after Ford had a major recall on the 1.6L. While my wifes car was able to be repaired mine was not. I pressured Ford and ended up getting $5000 towards a 2.0L Escape. Best thing I ever did, the power difference is amazing and I can say after 175000kms on the 2.0L and 138500kms on my wifes 1.6L that you will not notice the difference in cost for gas but you will definately notice the difference in power. Even though the 1.6L had less mileage we traded it in on a new 2017 2.0L. Very happy

 

I have a 2 liter 2013 titanium AWD bought used 38,000 miles, $37,000 new
Great car lots of power!!
the 2 liter has a timing chain,they never break!!!!
The 1.5 has a timing belt!! and they must be replaced, and the timing belt can also break!
$1000.00 repair bill.
Do not buy a 1.5 engine!!!!!

 

Personally, I'm a fan of the extra options of the 2014 Titanium. That's my choice. More bang for your buck.

 

Get the 2014 and a Ford ESP warranty or see if they will CPO the car.

 

2.0.

the engine upgrade price was only like $1000 over the small engine and you gain 70hp. I've paid way more for way less hp upgrade.

 

Defintely the 2.0. I would only get the 2.0 or 2.5L depending on your budget. The 1.5 and 1.6 have reliability issues and don't perform much better than the 2.5 non-turbo and get worse real-world gas mileage if you are gunning the turbo like many people do. And the 2.0 and 2.5 both have timing chains instead of belts like the other poster noted.

If you want the extra features and power I would definitely get the 2.0. I wasn't willing to cough up the extra money myself because I didn't need the extra features, and the pickup on my 2014 S is good enough, especially in sport mode. I've driven slower cars.

 

Where did you hear about the reliability issues of the 1.5? Your sources please