Fuel Economy (MPG · L/100km · km/L for 2017 Ford Escape)
Welcome to a no-nonsense fuel economy guide for the 2017 Ford Escape. Between school runs, city errands, and highway trips with Alice, I’ve tried just about every “MPG trick.” Some help, some don’t. Below is what actually works for day-to-day owners, all organized by engine, with realistic expectations, maintenance pointers, and a set of tools you can buy to make gains stick.
Quick converter
Type in any one box and the rest update automatically. Tip: Lower L/100km is better; higher mpg and km/L are better.
What’s realistic by engine?
Owner-style ballparks for mixed driving. AWD usually costs a bit of fuel versus FWD due to extra weight and driveline losses.
2.5L (Non-turbo)
- FWD — City/suburbs: ~21–24 MPG (11.2–9.8 L/100km)
- FWD — Highway: ~28–31 MPG (8.4–7.6 L/100km)
- FWD — Mixed: ~24–28 MPG (9.8–8.4 L/100km)
- AWD — City/suburbs: ~20–23 MPG (11.8–10.2 L/100km)
- AWD — Highway: ~27–30 MPG (8.7–7.8 L/100km)
- AWD — Mixed: ~23–26 MPG (10.2–9.0 L/100km)
1.5L EcoBoost
- FWD — City/suburbs: ~22–26 MPG (10.7–9.0 L/100km)
- FWD — Highway: ~30–34 MPG (7.8–6.9 L/100km)
- FWD — Mixed: ~25–30 MPG (9.4–7.8 L/100km)
- AWD — City/suburbs: ~21–24 MPG (11.2–9.8 L/100km)
- AWD — Highway: ~29–32 MPG (8.1–7.4 L/100km)
- AWD — Mixed: ~24–28 MPG (9.8–8.4 L/100km)
2.0L EcoBoost
- FWD — City/suburbs: ~21–24 MPG (11.2–9.8 L/100km)
- FWD — Highway: ~28–32 MPG (8.4–7.4 L/100km)
- FWD — Mixed: ~23–28 MPG (10.2–8.4 L/100km)
- AWD — City/suburbs: ~20–23 MPG (11.8–10.2 L/100km)
- AWD — Highway: ~27–31 MPG (8.7–7.6 L/100km)
- AWD — Mixed: ~22–27 MPG (10.7–8.7 L/100km)
Heads-up: Roof racks/boxes, winter tires, headwinds, and heavy cargo nudge numbers down. Steady highway speeds, correct tire pressures, fresh plugs (EcoBoost), and clean filters help nudge them up.
Habits that actually move the needle
- Warmups: Drive off gently after 30–60 seconds rather than idling. Modern engines warm best under light load.
- Acceleration: Smooth, early upshifts. With EcoBoost, use the torque and short bursts to speed, then settle.
- Cruising speed: Aerodynamics win. 65 mph (105 km/h) vs 75 mph (120 km/h) can be a 2–4 MPG swing.
- Coasting & anticipation: Look far ahead; lift early for reds and downhill sections.
- A/C & loads: A/C costs some MPG in city traffic; roof boxes and bike racks add drag at highway speeds.
Maintenance that protects MPG
- Tire pressure: Set to the door placard when cold. Check monthly and after big temperature swings.
- Oil & filter: Fresh, correct-spec oil helps turbos and reduces friction.
- Engine air filter: Replace when dirty; easy win for airflow.
- Spark plugs (EcoBoost): Old plugs can cause misfires you barely feel, but your MPG will notice.
- Wheel alignment: If the steering wheel sits off-center or the tires feather, MPG and tread life suffer.
- Brake drag: After a wash or winter, a sticky caliper slider can quietly eat mileage, best to check at tire rotations.
Trip computer vs. hand-calculated
The cluster’s average is a handy guide, but hand calculations (miles ÷ gallons at fill-up) are the truth over time. Reset the trip meter, fill to first click each time, and track a few tanks. If the display consistently reads optimistic by ~0.5–1.0 MPG, just note the offset for your sanity.
EcoBoost-specific notes
- Short trips: Cold starts + short hops can fuel-dilute oil and hurt MPG. Bundle errands when you can.
- Boost discipline: The 1.5/2.0L pull nicely; keeping boost moderate during climbs helps MPG without crawling.
- Fuel quality: Use the correct octane for your engine/region. Some owners see steadier MPG on Top Tier brands.
Winter & tires
Winter compounds are amazing for safety but increase rolling resistance. Expect a small MPG dip in cold weather due to thicker fluids, denser air, winter tires, and longer warmups. Once temps rise and you swap back, the numbers rebound.
Lightweight “mods” that are worth it
- Maintenance-first mindset: Before gadgets, make sure plugs, filters, and tires are right.
- Tire choice: A quiet touring tire with low rolling resistance can add fractional MPG without sacrificing safety.
- Aero sanity: Remove roof racks/boxes when not in use. It’s free MPG.
Products to buy
Always verify fitment and specs for your exact vehicle and region.
Check & maintain tires
- 12V Tire Inflator — quick top-offs at home. Shop tire inflators
- Accurate Digital Gauge — keep pressures on point. Shop digital gauges
- Tread Depth Gauge — track rotation timing. Shop tread depth gauges
Scan & monitor
- OBD-II Bluetooth Scanner — view fuel trims and temps. Shop OBD-II scanners
- Basic Code Reader — quick checks without a phone. Shop code readers
Service basics
- Full Synthetic Oil (correct spec/viscosity for your engine). Shop Mobil 1 oil · Shop Castrol EDGE oil · Shop Pennzoil Platinum oil
- Engine Oil Filter — keep your oil flowing. Shop engine oil filters
- Engine Air Filter — keep airflow clean. Shop engine air filters
- Spark Plugs (OE-equivalent iridium). Shop spark plugs
Fuel system upkeep
- Quality fuel system cleaners for winter preparation or extended parking/storage over longer periods. Shop fuel system cleaners