2017 Ford Escape Fuel Economy: MPG & L/100 km by Engine
The old version of this page leaned too much on broad owner estimates. A better starting point is the official EPA rating for the exact engine and drivetrain, then you can compare that number with what your own Escape is doing. Alice, our 2017 Escape SE, is a good reminder that weather, trip length, tires and driving style can move the real number quite a bit.
Official 2017 Escape EPA fuel-economy ratings
| Engine / drivetrain | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG | Combined L/100 km* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L, FWD | 21 | 29 | 24 | 9.8 |
| 1.5L EcoBoost, FWD | 23 | 30 | 26 | 9.0 |
| 1.5L EcoBoost, AWD | 22 | 28 | 24 | 9.8 |
| 2.0L EcoBoost, FWD | 22 | 29 | 25 | 9.4 |
| 2.0L EcoBoost, AWD | 20 | 27 | 23 | 10.2 |
*L/100 km figures above are conversions of the U.S. EPA combined MPG ratings. EPA MPG uses U.S. gallons. If you compare Canadian and U.S. numbers, make sure you are using the same units.
MPG, L/100 km and km/L converter
If you are comparing Canadian and U.S. listings, this converter makes the units easier to compare.
Type in any one box and the rest update automatically. Tip: Lower L/100km is better; higher mpg and km/L are better.
2.5L fuel economy
The naturally aspirated 2.5L was offered with front-wheel drive. The EPA lists it at 21 city, 29 highway and 24 combined MPG. That works out to about 9.8 L/100 km combined.
If you are shopping for an Escape S, this is the engine to know. The 2017 Escape S guide and engine comparison explain where the 2.5L fits in the lineup.
1.5L EcoBoost fuel economy
The 1.5L EcoBoost has the best EPA combined rating in the 2017 Escape lineup when paired with FWD: 26 MPG combined. AWD drops the combined rating to 24 MPG.
Alice has the 1.5L EcoBoost. Short winter trips around town can look very different from a long highway drive, so I would not judge the engine from one tank. Track several fill-ups before deciding whether your fuel economy has actually changed.
2.0L EcoBoost fuel economy
The 2.0L EcoBoost trades some fuel economy for more power. EPA ratings are 25 MPG combined with FWD and 23 MPG combined with AWD. Owners comparing Titanium models or a 2.0L SE should keep the drivetrain in mind because AWD changes the rating.
Why your real-world number can be lower or higher
EPA ratings are standardized test results, not a promise for every trip. Ford's own economical-driving guidance points to many of the same things owners notice in day-to-day use:
- Short trips and cold starts: the engine spends more of the trip warming up.
- Winter weather: cold temperatures, winter tires, defrost use and snow-covered roads can all reduce economy.
- Speed: higher highway speeds increase aerodynamic drag.
- Stop-and-go traffic: repeated acceleration uses more fuel than steady cruising.
- Roof racks and cargo: extra weight and aerodynamic drag matter, especially on the highway.
- Tire pressure: use the cold pressure on the driver's-door label, not a guess from the tire sidewall.
- Maintenance: correct oil, healthy spark plugs, clean filters and properly functioning brakes all matter.
Trip computer versus hand-calculated fuel economy
The Escape can display average and instantaneous fuel use, which works well for spotting trends. For a longer-term check, I prefer comparing odometer distance with the amount of fuel added over several fill-ups. One tank can be distorted by idling, weather, a partial fill or a very different driving pattern.
If your displayed average suddenly changes, think about what else changed at the same time. New winter tires, a roof box, a sticking brake, repeated short trips or an engine warning can all move the number.
What fuel does the 2017 Escape use?
Ford says the 2017 Escape is designed to operate on regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum 87 octane rating. If you are troubleshooting poor fuel economy, changing octane is not a substitute for checking maintenance, tire pressure or a warning light.
When poor fuel economy may point to a problem
A gradual seasonal change is normal. A large, sudden drop deserves more attention, especially if it comes with rough running, a check-engine light, weak acceleration, fuel smell, brake drag or an engine that takes unusually long to warm up.
- For rough running or a check-engine light, start with misfire codes and engine codes.
- If the engine stays cool too long, see the thermostat symptoms guide.
- For tire pressure, see tire pressure and TPMS.
- For Ford's service intervals, see the maintenance schedule.