Size matters
The Escape's size is pretty much perfect. Here's an SUV that has plenty of room for five passengers and their gear yet takes up less real estate longitudinally than a Toyota Corolla or a Honda Civic; that makes parking this rig a snap.
The tall, boxy shape of the Escape makes the most of its interior cargo space, enabling easy accommodation of bulky objects. A flat cargo floor ensures ease of loading; too bad the head restraints must be removed from the back seat to drop it. On the plus side, an elevated driving position enhances one's view of the road ahead, adding to the ease of guiding this modestly sized SUV through city congestion.
Pleasing driving characteristics and road manners
In addition to being an easy vehicle to drive, the Escape is quite an enjoyable rig to administer. My FWD tester delivered a smooth comfortable ride and didn't exhibit the stiffness often associated with 4WD SUVs.
Given its reasonable pricing structure, the Escape does a fine job of managing road and wind noises. A minor complaint but worthy of mention is the level of engine noise produced by the 4-cylinder mill. This engine's performance is pleasing but its auditory signature is more prominent than I would like. Once up to speed though, the engine fades sufficiently into the background.
Due in part to its compact size and easy, low resistance steering, the Escape is an agile, easily maneuvered vehicle. That said, high-speed handling is not a strong point as it may be in sportier, car-based crossovers. However I doubt the Escape's target market is looking for that sort of athleticism in an SUV.
Safety supreme
Safety equipment supplied as standard fare includes front airbags, side airbags for the driver and front seat passenger and side curtain airbags, known as Ford's Safety Canopy.
Add to the list of inflatables, AdvanceTrac stability control and Roll Stability Control (RSC), and you have a comprehensive array of safety and protection in a modestly priced vehicle. Kudos to Ford for including these important attributes as standard equipment in a recreational family vehicle.
Escaping with value
Since its extensive 2008 makeover, the Ford Escape has held a noteworthy place in my automotive heart. It's a good looking, well proportioned SUV that blends practicality with frugality better than most in this value-priced segment, especially when equipped with the improved for 2009, 4-cylinder base engine.
photo:Rob Rothwell
The Escape's size is pretty much perfect. Here's an SUV that has plenty of room for five passengers and their gear yet takes up less real estate longitudinally than a Toyota Corolla or a Honda Civic; that makes parking this rig a snap.
The tall, boxy shape of the Escape makes the most of its interior cargo space, enabling easy accommodation of bulky objects. A flat cargo floor ensures ease of loading; too bad the head restraints must be removed from the back seat to drop it. On the plus side, an elevated driving position enhances one's view of the road ahead, adding to the ease of guiding this modestly sized SUV through city congestion.
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| A flat cargo floor ensures ease of loading. |
Pleasing driving characteristics and road manners
In addition to being an easy vehicle to drive, the Escape is quite an enjoyable rig to administer. My FWD tester delivered a smooth comfortable ride and didn't exhibit the stiffness often associated with 4WD SUVs.
Given its reasonable pricing structure, the Escape does a fine job of managing road and wind noises. A minor complaint but worthy of mention is the level of engine noise produced by the 4-cylinder mill. This engine's performance is pleasing but its auditory signature is more prominent than I would like. Once up to speed though, the engine fades sufficiently into the background.
Due in part to its compact size and easy, low resistance steering, the Escape is an agile, easily maneuvered vehicle. That said, high-speed handling is not a strong point as it may be in sportier, car-based crossovers. However I doubt the Escape's target market is looking for that sort of athleticism in an SUV.
Safety supreme
Safety equipment supplied as standard fare includes front airbags, side airbags for the driver and front seat passenger and side curtain airbags, known as Ford's Safety Canopy.
Add to the list of inflatables, AdvanceTrac stability control and Roll Stability Control (RSC), and you have a comprehensive array of safety and protection in a modestly priced vehicle. Kudos to Ford for including these important attributes as standard equipment in a recreational family vehicle.
Escaping with value
Since its extensive 2008 makeover, the Ford Escape has held a noteworthy place in my automotive heart. It's a good looking, well proportioned SUV that blends practicality with frugality better than most in this value-priced segment, especially when equipped with the improved for 2009, 4-cylinder base engine.
photo:Rob Rothwell
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