Technological Makeover: 2010 Ford Escape

When talking about advanced technology in new cars, one vehicle that probably wouldn’t be on the tips of most peoples’ tongues is the Ford Escape. While most cars using a 9-year-old design would be lucky just to keep up with the competition, the Ford Escape is constantly offering the latest vehicle technologies helping it stand out from other compact sport utility vehicles. For 2010, the Ford Escape is receiving a handful of new technologies to help distinguish it from other vehicles in its class that may be newer to the market, but despite the Escape’s age, it continues to be one of the safest, most reliable and most fuel-efficient vehicles in its class. Expected to arrive in dealerships this summer, the technologies available in the 2010 Ford Escape will help improve the luxury, convenience and overall safety of Ford’s littlest and oldest SUV.

Ford is calling the improvements to its 2010 Escape a technological makeover, but little, if anything, was changed to the SUV’s appearance. The biggest and most surprising new technology added to the Escape’s option list is Active Park Assist. Like vehicles triple its own price, the new Escape will use the ultrasonic integrated into the bumper to parallel park itself with little driver interaction. Once the system has determined that a parking spot is the appropriate size, the Escape’s electric power assist steering quickly maneuvers the vehicle into place. Unlike cars triple or quadruple the Escape’s price that use similar self-parking technologies, this system is much more simple than camera-based systems like what is used on the Lexus LS460. Whereas the Lexus requires the considerable driver input about the intended parking spot (which can take up valuable time when blocking traffic trying to parallel park), the Escape’s system focuses on being easy to use and quick to perform maneuvers. Ford also claims that while other self-parking systems are unable to operate in downhill parking situations, the new system used in the Escape is able to perform this task.

Also improving parking and backing up, the new Escape will offer a rear view camera system. Not as revolutionary as the park assist system, the rear view camera will use a camera mounted on the rear of the new Escape to help reduce the chances of backing into something. This option will probably only be available when the vehicle is equipped with Ford’s touch-screen navigation system as the camera’s video is displayed in the navigation screen.

Helping to make navigation safer and easier, Ford and Microsoft continue to upgrade the SYNC voice-activated infotainment system. The 2010 Escape will be one of the first vehicles to utilize a more advanced SYNC system that adds real-time information features into this system in addition to hands-free music, phone and navigation use. The new SYNC with Traffic, Directions and Information offers hands-free access to updated and personalized traffic reports, accurate turn-by-turn driving directions and the latest information including business, news, sports and weather reports. The new SYNC will also continue to offer Bluetooth connectivity and digital music player integration.

On 2010 Ford Escape models with XLT trim and above, Ford’s MyKey system will be standard equipment. The MyKey system is designed to improve the safety and driving habits of younger or inexperienced drivers as well as providing a more responsible environment for all drivers. The heart of Ford’s MyKey is the programmable key that can limit the Escape’s top speed and audio system volume as well as requiring the use of seat belts for both front passengers in order to listen to the radio. If both front passengers are detected but seatbelts aren’t being used, the system automatically mutes the stereo system. In addition to limiting the vehicle’s top speed to 80 miles per hour to prevent speeding, the system can also sound chimes at 45, 55 and 65 mph to increase the driver’s awareness of his or her current speed.

The last “technology” Ford will incorporate on the 2010 Escape is the simple, but effective, integrated spotter mirror. Although an advanced blind spot detection system such as Volvo’s Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) would probably be a bigger selling point than these mirrors, the simplicity of adding the revised mirrors reduces the cost while improving safety.

As the first compact SUV to offer a Hybrid model, the Escape is no stranger to using the latest technologies available. Ford says that the Escape is the only vehicle in its class to offer roll stability control and side curtain air bags, but having the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) name it a Top Safety Pick is truly a testament to the Ford Escape’s safety. Standard safety features for the 2010 Ford Escape include AdvanceTrac® with RSC (Roll Stability Control), the Safety Canopy side curtain air bag for both rows of seating and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).