The Escape Hybrid's powertrain combines the four-cylinder engine, batteries and electric motors to deliver much higher fuel economy than any of the other models. Since its running gear dates back to 2001, it's not difficult to see why the Escape isn't quite up to handling par, some ten model years later. Ride height and ground clearance make the Escape drive taller than newer competitors like the Hyundai Tucson, and significant doses of body roll interrupt any aggressive cornering moves. Steering has improved, since its hydraulics have been swapped out for electric motors, and the ride quality is decent on most highway surfaces, though it gets exponentially harsher and noisier as the road condition falters. Handling isn't the Escape's best feature. The six-speed automatic also is an option with the four-cylinder engine. It's not particularly quiet or smooth, but the six-cylinder teams up well with the new six-speed automatic transmission and its quick, clean gear changes. Upping the stakes considerably, the V-6 engine puts out 240 horsepower and sets about its task with a lot more enthusiasm. The manual transmission isn't particularly pleasing to row, according to some reviewers we've been unable to track down a test vehicle in this configuration. With the 171-horspower four-cylinder on board, the Escape struggles to hit 60 mph in about nine seconds, if we're splitting the difference between Ford's conservative estimates and those from the enthusiast mags. The center stack is taller and more upright, a metaphor for the rest of the vehicle, and on vehicles with the navigation system it harbors a big, bright LCD screen that contrasts heavily with the rest of the cockpit, even before you crank up the bright lights on its Settings panel.īoth can be mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, while the four-cylinder model comes standard with a five-speed manual gearbox. The Escape's interior redo-also a few years ago-brought its ergonomics up to date and lent some of the same SUV credo to the cabin, even though it went through a low-rent corner of plastic city to get there. Is it obsolete or more desirable than all those rounded, smooth crossovers? We're still happy with the chunky stance, but even Ford sees the future of all-weather wagons-and it's planning an Escape replacement that's way softer and far more nuanced than this Explorer echo ever has been. This year the carryover Escape still has the squared-off countenance, tall glass areas and boxy countenance that it's had for a few years-ever since Ford put the styling in the design microwave back in 2008. It's among the last survivors of a dying breed, and the SUV-lookalike 2011 Ford Escape is about to give up on its sport-ute roots entirely. Hybrids and gas Escape alike can be fitted with the most up-to-date infotainment features in the class, which ends up being the Escape's saving grace: you can control the audio system and your phone through the SYNC system, plug in your iPod via USB to access your personal music library, or dial up some Sirius satellite radio for beamed-in radio-or traffic information, sports scores and weather reports. The Escape Hybrid is the pick of the litter, thanks to a gas-electric powertrain that can cruise along at highway speeds, weaving battery and combustion power together while it trims consumption to 34/31 mpg in front-drive versions. Handling isn't bad, but the tall Escape has more body roll and a bit more ride harshness as you push it aggressively. The four-cylinder versions aren't quite so lucky, but as commuter cars, they're capable enough, refined enough, and more miserly than expected. The V-6 option is probably the best fit with its visuals-it's blessed with enough thrust to carry a full load of people and stuff. The Escape comes in a few varieties, more green in balance than not. We'd also wish for a better sense of quality in the Escape's plastics and upholstery, if we didn't know the entire vehicle is up for replacement in 2012. It could use a little more leg room so four adults can sit in real comfort. The upright stance gives the ute decent headroom, despite the relatively high floor. The Escape may look the part of a 7/8-scale Ford Explorer, but its car-based running gear makes it a crossover at heart-an aging heart, but at heart nonetheless.īlocky looks and a functional cockpit are an appealing counterpoint to the wave of jellybean crossovers that have washed over the market in the ten years since the Escape was brand-new. First impressions can ring true, but if you're betting the 2011 Ford Escape is a trucky, cramped fuel hog, you're all wrong.
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