However, there are a number of high-tech goodies stashed inside this aging wrapper that make the Escape still worth a look. Even more damning, though, are brakes (discs in front but antiquated drums in the rear) that simply don't have the power to bring the Escape to a stop as effectively as other small SUVs. As such, the Escape just isn't as comfortable or versatile as more modern rivals. It's most apparent on the inside, where the Escape lacks a few basic features now common among its newer competitors, such as a telescoping steering wheel and a backseat that reclines and slides fore and aft. Not surprisingly, the Escape is beginning to feel its age. Although its engines, steering, styling and interior are considerably different than they were at the turn of the century, the 2010 Ford Escape still has a lot of similarity to the vehicle that launched when Bill Clinton was a lame duck. As long as you take care of it, its going to take care of you too.Remember the year 2000? Back when we were all a-flutter about hanging chads and surviving the Y2K computer bug? That year also saw the arrival of the Ford Escape, the first compact crossover SUV from an American car company, which quickly became a runaway best-seller. But its nice to know that if you live in a snowy place or out in the woods you have 4x4 available. It doesn't have low range which is somewhat of a bummer but it makes sense seeing as most people will be driving this on the highway. It's no sports car but its not going to slip out all the time either. It had one coil pack go bad so I went ahead and replaced all 6 coils and spark plugs which wasn't cheap, but I feel its saved me in the long run. If you take care of it, it will take care of you. … Since I've owned it, I've put almost 10k miles on it. It makes a good first car for a teenager. Drive conservatively and you can easily go a while without getting gas. Its not going to get the best fuel economy in the world. My particular model is equipped with a v6. Its a sturdy solidly built vehicle that is very reliable. Know that its not supposed to be a luxury vehicle or a sports car. Regardless, Ford's Escape should be on your list when shopping for small sport-utes. Mazda's input should have been of help here, but a rash of well-publicized first-year recalls sullies the image of this otherwise fine SUV. Cabin highlights include air conditioning, an available six-disc in-dash CD changer matched to an optional 300-watt sound system and optional side airbags.įord claims affordability and durability were top priorities during the engineering and design phase of the Escape. With the rear seats removed, the Escape offers 64.8 cubic feet of cargo. Inside, the Escape offers a big allotment of space for passengers and cargo. The unibody chassis is equipped with rack-and-pinion steering, a four-wheel independent suspension and four-wheel ABS through a front disc/rear drum arrangement. Underneath, the Escape is more car than truck. The Escape does not have a low-range transfer case, however.įord hopes that with its sporting, rugged good looks, the Escape will appeal to young families and people with active lifestyles. In the locked mode, the Escape applies power to all four wheels at all times. In automatic mode, power is applied to the rear wheels only when a loss of traction occurs. The 4WD system can be set to either "4x4 automatic" or "4x4 lock" mode. Both the four-cylinder and V6 engines are LEV-compliant.Īs opposed to Ford's larger SUVs, the 2WD Escape is front-wheel drive. Equipped with the V6 and the standard four-speed automatic transmission, the Escape can tow up to 3,500 pounds. With 201 horsepower and 196 lb-ft of torque, it is one of the most powerful engines in its class, and accelerates the four-wheel drive Escape to 60 mph in less than 9 seconds. Fortunately, there is an available 3.0-liter V6. Burdened with people and gear, a four-cylinder Escape is bound to be rather weedy.
Developed in partnership with Mazda, which sells a version called the Tribute, Escape comes in XLS or XLT flavors with either two- or four-wheel drive.īase models have a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 127 horsepower and 135 pound-feet of torque. These factors position the Escape for tremendous success in a growing market. As an added bonus, it's also priced competitively. That's what Ford has done with the appealing Escape sport-utility.ĭesigned to battle the Honda CR-V, Jeep Liberty, Nissan Xterra, Toyota RAV4 and others of the small-SUV ilk, the five-passenger Escape's calling cards are a large, comfortable interior and a powerful available V6 engine. One of the benefits of coming late to the party is that when you do arrive, you can make a big splash.
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