The 2017 Ford Escape threatens the Honda CR-V's reign.

The new generation of the compact SUV model is redesigned to meet customer demands, adding two new EcoBoost engines.

Ford chose the Los Angeles Auto Show at the end of the year to introduce its strategic fourth-generation Escape model, even though it won't be available on the market until mid-2016.

The Escape is Ford's second-best-selling model after the F-150 pickup truck. In the compact SUV segment, the Escape also ranks second behind the Honda CR-V. In 2014, Ford sold 306,212 Escapes, while the Japanese automaker sold approximately 29,000 more CR-Vs.

The biggest changes on the Escape are in its interior and exterior design, two new engines, fuel-efficient start-stop technology, and many new features aimed at capturing the largest market share, said Miton Wong, the company's chief technical officer.

The new design is Ford's answer that "we listen to our customers." These changes include a more spacious interior, larger cargo capacity, and a modern, sleek design that appeals to a wide range of customers.

LED taillights, redesigned wheels, a more dynamic hexagonal grille, a sporty front bumper, fog lamp housings with air vents. A muscular hood with embossed lines and a sloping roofline towards the rear create a sporty feel.

The biggest upgrades are in the interior. The new steering wheel not only looks more aesthetically pleasing but also enhances the driver's feel. The center armrest has two cup holders and a phone holder. The Ford Sync 3 infotainment system is displayed on a large screen on the dashboard. With the 2017 Escape, Ford introduces the Sync Connect app, allowing drivers to check fuel levels, lock doors, and start the vehicle remotely.

The first new engine is a 1.5-liter turbocharged EcoBoost, replacing the old 1.6-liter. The second is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost producing 245 horsepower and 372 Nm of torque. This engine will be fitted to the top-of-the-line Escape. These two versions are expected to account for 90% of the new Escape's sales, while the remaining 10% will go to the standard S version, which still uses the 2.5-liter engine. All versions come with a 6-speed transmission.

Start-Stop technology helps the Escape maximize fuel efficiency, giving it an added advantage in the market. Safety features include adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, and other basic technologies such as anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC).

The Escape is a strategic product for the American automaker right now. In 2015, more than 5 million Americans wanted to buy an SUV, accounting for one-third of the market. Analyst Erich Merkle predicts that by 2020, this market share will increase to 40%. In the compact SUV segment, the growth rate in the US market was 17%, becoming the largest segment in 2014. This trend is similar in most global markets.

The 2017 Escape will go on sale starting in summer 2016. Pricing will be announced closer to the release date.

According to VnExpress