Ford's latest SUV, the 2001 Escape, will go on sale in Canada with a base MSRP of $20 245.
That is the sticker price for the front-drive XLS model with the 4-cylinder Zetec engine and a 5-speed manual transmission.
For the XLS with four-wheel-drive, the sticker price goes to $22 895.
The Escape XLT with the Duratec V-6 and the 4-speed automatic transmission lists for $28 695.
Escape is more of a car than its truck-based Explorer sibling, using an all-new platform with unibody construction for its 4-door shape. The overall design intent was to make it light, fuel-efficient, maneuverable, easy to enter and exit, spacious, comfortable and safe.
There is a big difference in engine performance, since the inline-4 develops just 130 horsepower while the V-6 is good for 200 horsepower.
The XLS comes with standard air conditioning, power locks and windows and fold-flat rear seating. The XLT adds such features as a large center console, anti-lock brakes and alloy aluminum wheels, AM/FM stereo with CD and cassette and 60/40 split rear seating as standard equipment.
Optional features available from Ford Outfitters reflect the active lifestyles of Escape owners, including an in-vehicle storage system for two mountain bikes and a clip-in pet barrier.
Other key features of the Escape would include:
Stuart Smith, Escape's brand manager, says, "We believe Escape will appeal to a wide variety of consumers, including those who have not owned an SUV before but now require the space and versatility that an SUV provides. They might not consider a larger SUV. Escape will provide them with the perfect solution," Smith claims.
That is the sticker price for the front-drive XLS model with the 4-cylinder Zetec engine and a 5-speed manual transmission.
For the XLS with four-wheel-drive, the sticker price goes to $22 895.
The Escape XLT with the Duratec V-6 and the 4-speed automatic transmission lists for $28 695.
Escape is more of a car than its truck-based Explorer sibling, using an all-new platform with unibody construction for its 4-door shape. The overall design intent was to make it light, fuel-efficient, maneuverable, easy to enter and exit, spacious, comfortable and safe.
There is a big difference in engine performance, since the inline-4 develops just 130 horsepower while the V-6 is good for 200 horsepower.
The XLS comes with standard air conditioning, power locks and windows and fold-flat rear seating. The XLT adds such features as a large center console, anti-lock brakes and alloy aluminum wheels, AM/FM stereo with CD and cassette and 60/40 split rear seating as standard equipment.
Optional features available from Ford Outfitters reflect the active lifestyles of Escape owners, including an in-vehicle storage system for two mountain bikes and a clip-in pet barrier.
Other key features of the Escape would include:
- Four-wheel independent suspension for more refined ride and handling
- The most spacious interior in the small SUV class
- A front-wheel drive powertrain or optional all-new Control Trac II, Ford's full-time 4x4 with a switch to select four-wheel drive automatic or "4x4 On" to lock the system into 4x4 model
- Up to 3 500-pound towing capacity (with the V-6 and a towing package), which is enough to pull jet skis, snowmobiles or a small boat
- A rear liftgate with flip-up glass for access to its cargo area
- A standard in-dash single-CD player or an optional MACH in-dash 6-disc CD player with 300 watts of peak power
- A safety package featuring optional side-impact air bags, Belt Minder (a buzzer that sounds when your seatbelt is not fastened) and "LATCH" child safety seat attachments and tether anchors
Stuart Smith, Escape's brand manager, says, "We believe Escape will appeal to a wide variety of consumers, including those who have not owned an SUV before but now require the space and versatility that an SUV provides. They might not consider a larger SUV. Escape will provide them with the perfect solution," Smith claims.
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