I’ve driven many Fords over the years (Dad’s a retired Ford man). I’ve also owned a couple of Hondas, a Buick, and an AMC (no laughter). So I’ve been around the block a few times with different manufacturers and test driven a lot of cars just to see how they run.

Some Points:

* People called the Escape utilitarian in look and “aging drag queen.” You’ve got to be kidding. The vehicle isn’t that old. Introduction Facts:
1996 Rav4
1997 CRV
2001 Escape (and Tribute)
2001 Santa Fe
2002 Liberty

It’s still an evolving vehicle (do people complain similarly about the ancient Accords and Camrys?). It’s now got a very respectable hybrid in its line that is making in-roads where other hybrids haven’t and can’t. I think the recent ‘08 cosmetic changes have only made it better looking.

* People called the Escape “underpowered.” That’s just plain ridiculous. I’ve driven the ‘07 Escape XLT FWD with the 3.0L and it’s waaaay overpowered. If you can squeal the tires of a FWD vehicle, then it’s got more power than it ought to. The 2.3L is really more than adequate for most normal driving conditions (outside of steep mountains). Plus, the ‘08 2.3L automatic averages 20/26 mpg (manual 22/28)which is pretty good for its size.

* People called the Escape “overpriced.” Well nobody should pay list price. But even at list, a 2.3L FWD XLT list for around 19-22k. That’s pretty good for that size and capable of a vehicle. Incentives will drop that even more which is far better than you’ll ever see from Honda’s pricing.

I’m not being a cheerleader here but I just couldn’t stand to listen to some of the unfounded slamming of the vehicle. It just doesn’t deserve it.

I test drove a new CR-V and was terribly disappointed. The ride was too stiff, a big change from the previous model’s bouncy-bouncy floatfest. In typical recent Honda fashion the seats were hard as rock (what is going on with them and their seats?!?!). I’ve heard less than positive things about their 4WD. The interior was nice, I suppose. Too bad those tiny little rear windows hinder visibility. Overall it was like driving an Accord. I already have an Accord, and while I like it enough, I was expecting a bit more from the CR-V. And good luck getting a V6 in the CR-V in a trim you like – Honda firmly believes that the CR-V’s 4cyl is good enough, so the selection of V6s is really limited.

In Canada, the price of a 4WD CR-V LX is almost 29K. An equivalent CR-V that matches the features of a Ford Escape LTX 4WD is 33K. An LTX 4WD Ford Escape is 28K. I know, we get screwed here in Canada.

The RAV4 is nice enough, I suppose. The rear sidegate is a complete joke. If the Escape had a sidegate, it’d get lambasted. But since the RAV4 is a Toyota, it’s okay to overlook such minor details like having a rear gate that’s operable by wimpy females like my wife. The seats, again, were terrible. Apparently Japanese people have no thighs. I’ve had some difficulty finding a comfortable seating position in some of the newer Toyotas, so I’ve had to remove them as viable choices for the time being.

As for fuel efficiency, only fools believe in the EPA ratings. Trust Consumer Reports for real mileage number (yeah, their reviews suck. But at least they know how to measure fuel consumption correctly). The CR-V, RAV4, and Escape all have pretty well the same mileage for city driving.

And many Toyota dealerships in Canada don’t negotiate price anymore. They have the “Access Toyota” program now, where they get to gouge customers with the take-it-or-leave-it MSRP. The nearest Toyota dealership to me that negotiates prices is about 40KM away. I’m not going to bother.

So, I bought a Ford Escape 4WD LTX. I totally raped them on the price ($200 above dealer invoice – they’re oh so desperate). And it’s a nice enough car. The ride is great. I know car reviewers love their stiff rides where they get to feel every damned bump on the road, but I like to have my ass bruise-free when I get out. I have no idea how people get “confused” by the controls. I guess if you’re an idiot savant, it might be a challenge but I have never once confused the volume with the fan speed in any car, including this one. And the buttons are NOT poor quality. They are just fine. I would challenge the reviewer to go find some “better” buttons somewhere and tell me EXACTLY why they’re better (no, making a clicky noise does not make them better). Now if the reviewer can tell apart various grades of plastic (doubtful), then maybe I’ll listen. And to me, plastic is plastic. That “nicer” plastic in the CR-V doesn’t impress me any more than the plastic in the Escape. You’re basically comparing 1 cent plastic versus 1 cent plastic. I’m impressed with dashboards when they have leather and real wood. Everything else is a lark.

Consumer Reports rates the reliability of this vehicle as above average. That’s fine with me. Hondas have definitely been slipping in quality of late (and getting more expensive, to boot), and I’d love a Toyota once they start re-offering cars that fit me (and no, I’m not fat, or tall, or have shrunken hands. I’m 5′11″ and of average build).

As for the person who was shocked at a $15 button, wait until you need to fix something on a Japanese vehicle. Just don’t go to a dealer alone; you’ll need someone to catch you when you faint from hearing the prices for their repairs.

By all means, if you’re looking for a 2WD small SUV, forget about the Escape. Might as well go for the new CR-V or something. Once you put 4WD into the fix, it becomes a different story. The vehicle selection gets far more limited, the prices all suddenly jump and bunch up a lot closer together. Fuel economy goes down across the board, and what looks like a clear decision before becomes a lot more hazy.

As for Toyota’s line-up, I see no problem. There are the trucky, off-road SUVs (new FJ, fairly new Sequoia, established 4Runner, and the old guard Land Cruiser) and the softer CUVs (RAV4 and Highlander) You could make a case for the Sequoia and Land Cruiser, but then there’s the $23K price difference. Toyota has flat out handled there business in this sector better. The Escape and Edge are both 5-seater CUVs, and the Taurus X, future Flex and hopefully non-existant Explorer SUV will overlap. As it stands, the off-road Explorer at least puts some distance between it and the other two.

I have a friend who’s household includes a last generation Escape and CRV. He has a very steep dirt driveway here in Western Maine. He says the Escape has ALWAYS made it up, while the CRV has failed to make it up dozens of times over the years.

I’ve heard from other people the CRV’s 4WD system is worst-in-class and the Escapes is best-in-class. Why don’t reviews of 4WD or AWD vehicles spend more time testing them in snowy conditions. I doubt the most important thing to potential Escape buyers is the interior plastics and knob, but it was obviously very important to Mr. Syed.

If I’m going to take the price, weight, and efficiency hit to get 4WD, the capability of said 4WD system is going to be very high on my shopping list.

I haven’t driven the new generation CRV but unless it was dramatically improved I can’t imagine it’s any better than an Escape. In fact, I found the CRV to have a lackluster engine with a major racket and poor noise insulation. The interior was also quite a few notches below typical Honda quality.

The Escape seemed like a far superior vehicle. But anyways, who cares?

The FJ Cruiser is a niche off-roader, Sequoia is Toyota’s full size SUV. The 4Runner is Toyota’s midsize SUV. The only overlap I see is perhaps offering the Land Cruiser, but that doesn’t worry Toyota too much, seeing as the LC makes most of it’s sales outside the US.

Toyota could potentially stop offering the LC and 4Runner in the US, which would eliminate any overlaps.

The funny thing is, I actually like all the Toyota line SUVs (and trucks for that matter).

Side note on Honda…they have the CRV, the Element, and the Pilot. CRV and Element are in the same price range…but again, they feel very, very different.

Ford models have just seemed like bigger versions of the other. Though I haven’t really test driven the Edge (the reviews haven’t sparked any interest at all).

What’s an Explorer? That’s Fords SUV. What’s the Escape? A small Explorer. What’s the Expedition? A big Explorer. What’s the Freestyle? Who cares! What’s the Flex? Does it matter? What’s the Edge? Yet another overpriced Ford vehicle. :(

That Ford’s SUV lineup is a disaster is obvious if only from the sales figures. The Freestyle is a flop, the Explorer is a sinking ship and the Escape is an aged drag queen with a new dress.

The only promising vehicle of the bunch is the Edge. Ford would be smart to follow Honda’s lead. One small, one larger. Complete new design every five years and always one of the best in it’s class. It is really a simple discipline, but difficult for an A.D.D. company to follow. If history is any guide, Ford will ride the Edge too long and run it down as well. The Escape was a competitive product when introduced. The Explorer replaced the Bronco and was a smash success. The Taurus broke new ground but was destroyed in a horrible redesign and then left to wilt. The Focus was an excellent entry hobbled by poor early quality and then left for dead.

I hope Mr. Savior From Boeing turns the ship around in time.

A date??? Hell, $28K better INCLUDE Jill…:-)

The proliferation of Toyota models has been remarked on quite frequently by writers and posters here.

There’s one thing that would make the Escape standout if Ford could source one…a torquey diesel. Decent mileage (which is rapidly increasing in importance once again as gas soars over $1.00 a litre) and the ability to yank a bunch of ’stuff’ from a standing start would be a good start.

Now, why would we do that?

Ford’s SUV/CUV lineup is actually well differentiated even though the prices overlap. While an Escape or edge each seat 5, the Escape is clearly smaller and MUCH cheaper (try $5k), hence it doesn’t need/can’t have the 3.5L V6. A 6spd auto will be nice. The Freestyle is similarly priced with the Edge, but is bigger inside and clearly more car like, and it seats 6 or 7. And the Explorer is a totally different type of vehicle and easily differentiated price wise with the V8. If any of you actually set foot on Ford lot and looked at these vehicles, you could easily see that they appeal to different buyers.

Let’s count Toyota’s SUV/CUV lineup: Matrix, RAV4, Highlander, 4Runner, Sequoia. Shall we add the Scions and Lexi also?

I drove an Escape V6 circa 2002, I really got a kick out of it. The handling was real nice for a CUV and the 200hp powertrain seemed best in class back then. But it sounds like the new Escape is just another neglected Ford product.

Course I’d love to see the Crown Vic get the lame freshening that this ride got. But that’s another story.

I thought the Edge would replace the Escape, but no…now we have how many Ford Crossovers?

1. Escape
2. Edge
3. Freestyle/Taurus X
4. Flex

I can see the Escape selling ok at a lower price point (and it will with rebates) but the Taurus X has gotta go.

And I still hear talk of canning the Explorer (and its factory) and using its famous (infamous?) name for another D3 chassis CUV. Something’s gotta give.

I could see this car selling like crazy if it had no competition…but it DOES have competition. :(