Ford's smallest sport ute gets full-sized redo
#1
Ford's smallest sport ute gets full-sized redo
Greater Escape: Ford's smallest sport ute gets full-sized redo
By AUTOWEEK
FORD’S SMALLEST SPORT/utility vehicle, the Escape, gets a full-sized redo for 2005, including a new engine, an all-new four-wheel-drive system, and a refreshed appearance inside and out. The new 2.3-liter inline four-cylinder produces 153 hp and 152 lb-ft of torque, replacing the overmatched 127-hp, 135-lb-ft 2.0-liter dohc four.
A more refined 3.0-liter V6 is also available, producing 200 hp and 193 lb-ft of torque. For the first time, a four-speed automatic transmission can be had on four-cylinder Escapes; a five-speed manual is standard.
Ford chose the South Florida auto show (Nov. 7-16) in Miami to premier its freshened SUV, which begins production in December and arrives in dealerships by midwinter. The gasoline/electric Escape Hybrid (AW, Nov. 10) goes into production in midsummer and gets to showrooms by early September.
#4
When we were searching for a small SUV (which ultimately resulted in the purchase of the Subaru Forester XT) we briefly considered the Escape. I remember a reviewer commenting about it's off-road capability by stating something like -- "I wish I knew that when Ford meant this car was good off-road they referred to dirt trails and not the dealer's service bays" Made me ROFL.
Most of the reviews of this SUV highlight its poor reliability and quality...but I guess it's a Ford, so what more would one expect?
Most of the reviews of this SUV highlight its poor reliability and quality...but I guess it's a Ford, so what more would one expect?
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