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Big leaps in engine, fuel economy for new Ford Escape

By Mike Parris

WASHINGTON – The 2014 Ford Escape moves to the head of the class. The Escape was totally redesigned last year and was transformed from boxy into a real head turner.

It’s a little bigger than the old Escape and the added space inside seems like it grew substantially – a very welcome change.

There is a choice of front wheel drive and all-wheel drive, three different four- cylinder engines and four trim levels from basic to luxury. So it seems there is an Escape to fit just about anyone’s wish list and budget.

Prices start at $22,000 for the base S model with front-wheel drive and go to $35,000 for a fully loaded AWD Titanium model with the larger 2.0 ecoboost engine. More on the engines in a bit.

My midrange, SE trim 2014 Deep Impact Blue Escape with the optional 1.6-liter engine made for an entertaining commuter car that got decent mileage, around 27.5 mpg combined city and highway. I saw 32 mpg on the highway and still had good power for the merge onto the beltway.

Ford Escape 2014 (WTOP/Mike Parris)

Prices for the Ford Escape start at $22,000 and go to $35,000. (WTOP/Mike Parris)

This new Escape is great to look at on the outside. It looks like a much more expensive crossover and is comfortable. The fit and finish was very good and better then the last Escape with nice-feeling, softer materials used in the interior.

The seats are very comfortable and my tester came with cloth seats. Leather is option on this model and standard on the top of the line Titanium model. The Mytouch entertainment system with optional navigation was easy to use after taking a few minutes to study it. Syncing a phone is quick and simple, and the rearview camera made it easy to park in those tight city spots.

What has really changed are the engines and fuel economy — both are big leaps forward — and help the Escape standout from its competition. The base engine, a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine, is the class norm.

What sets the Escape apart are the other engines – a 1.6-liter Ecoboost engine gives you more performance and better fuel economy then the 2.5 base engine. The engine I would choose if I was buying an Escape is the 2.0 Ecoboost engine with 240 horsepower. You’ve got to love that a turbocharger can give you the power of a big V6 and the fuel economy of a smaller four-cylinder engine.

If you’re in the market for a sharp looking, comfortable new crossover with good performance and gas mileage, you might want to look at the new 2014 Ford Escape.

Editor’s Note: Mike Parris is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association. The vehicles are provided by STI, FMI or Event Solutions for the purpose of this review.

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Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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