Since its debut in 2000, the Ford Escape has been one of the hottest vehicles on the market. In 2014 the Escape sold over 306,000 units, thus making it the second-best selling Ford vehicle in the U.S. behind the F-150. Sales of the compact crossover are expected to be even more robust in 2015, and yet Ford is committed to providing its customers with the ultimate Escape.

With that in mind, the all-new 2017 Ford Escape is designed to enhance the driving experience with a host of new features that take into account the needs and wants of today’s consumers. The vehicle’s rugged, outdoorsy exterior is married with a host of technological features more commonly seen in luxury sedans. 

Among the key features included for the first time in the 2017 Escape:

• SNYC Connect – enables drivers to control vehicle functions (e.g., locking and unlocking doors, starting and turning off engine) via a smartphone app
• EcoBoost Engine – available in two types: a 1.5-liter engine that generates horsepower and torque similar to that of the current Escape’s 1.6-liter engine, and a 2.0-liter twin-scroll engine identical to the one in the current model year Ford Edge
• Auto Start-Stop – conserves fuel by automatically turning engine off while the vehicle is idle and restarts automatically when the brake pedal is released
• Motion Sensors – provides adaptive cruise control when approaching slower vehicles and forward collision warning with brake support to avoid accidents
• Enhanced active park assist – works in concert with the lane keeping system to keep drivers within their line and avoid unintentional lane drifting
• Driver Alert System – alerts drivers in instances where fatigued driving may lead to lane drift or other road accidents 

As Milton Wong, chief engineer for the Escape, explained to Automotive News, “[Ford] is taking [its] best stuff and bringing it down to our most-affordable and highest-volume SUV.” This isn’t to say, however, that the all-new Escape won’t include such customer favorites as the Blind Spot Information System (BLISD), hill-start assist, and the hands-free liftgate.

Ford is clearly committed to the success of the rebooted 2017 Ford Escape—so much so, in fact, that the company has devoted its entire Louisville, KY plant to the full-time production of the Escape. To Kevin Schad, brand manager for the Escape, this makes all the financial sense in the world. 

“[Ford] will sell every Escape [it] can make,” Schad told The Detroit Free Press.

The 2017 Escape, which was recently unveiled to the public at the 2015 L.A. Auto Show, is scheduled to go on sale in spring 2016. And just like in years past, it should be one of the true sales successes in the highly competitive crossover SUV market.