What is this new Ford Escape??

[Jambo]

I saw a picture of this new 2001 Ford Escape on a brocure I got in the mail yesterday. Never heard of it before now. Basically it appears to be competition for the Honda CRV type vehicles. I think it is borrowed directly from the Mazda...

I went to the website that it mentioned and found very little except marketing hype. (I HATE marketing hype!) Several articles about biking and snowboarding and stuff, with little or no technical specs. All I know is the standard engine is 2 litre 4, with optional 3 litre V6. (Exact same engines as Mazda offers!?!?)

For those of you who like marketing hype, the address is http://www.noboundaries.ca (Canadian Eh) I am not sure if there is an equivalent usa site. They have some interesting screen savers there (of course, all with cool sporting and outdoors images, and nothing about trucks at all...)

 

[2mrchio]

Mazda Tribute is a rebadged Escape...

Calm down. Ford didn't borrow anything from Mazda, in fact both the Escape and Tribute are being built at the same factory. Someone else on this site added, "Mazda was upset with the discontinuation of the Navajo and had been trying to get Ford to co-design a small SUV and this is how the Escape came to be."

If you do a search on the word Escape, you'll find more info on this site.

http://www.fordvehicles.com/vehiclehome.asp?vid=33
http://www.mazdausa.com/tribute/default.asp?vehicle=tribute&zip=&did=&uid=20000841243300149697&HRID=

 

[samcc]

Escape/Tribute ground-clearance specs

Mazda's web site has much more in the way of facts and figures than Ford's site does.

For example the Mazda site gives laden ground-clearance detail down to the difference stock-tire choice makes. The Escape/Tribute minimum laden ground clearance is 8.43" with the larger, P235/70R/16 tires on the larger, 16" x 7JJ wheels. Isn't that pretty good at almost two inches more than the Explorers' (6.7"?)?

 

[Stephen]

Wow that really is good clearance. The Escape may even have more than the Tribute.

 

[mrsteve]

Yeah it sound's alright but it's got the funky drivetrain. 4 wheel drive w/o a transfer case. And all the recalls before it was released I personally don't think I would buy one. And I am about the age they are trying to target.

 

[Stephen]

I probably wouldnt buy one either.

 

[Jambo]

Not a Ford Guy Anymore ??? Say it isn't so!!

I have been well trained by my father to be a Ford guy. His only other make was his very first car when he started to drive... a Chevy. It was a piece of junk (probably as most guys first cars are, including my old '80 Mustang 4 banger) and he wrapped it around a telephone pole. After that, he's owned nothing but Ford. And he was a mechanic working for many years on cars.

Anyway, the line between makes is becoming thinner. This new Mazda Tribute and the Ford Escape are the same cars, (note I said car, not truck) with a little changes to the visuals. How then could I say that I would never drive a Mazda? Actually in this case, (having only seen pictures) I have to admit that I like the looks of the Mazda more than the Ford. The Ford front end looks like any typical cheezy import. The Mazda has cooler headlights.

Anyway, brand preference is a pretty fuzzy topic. Sooo much has to do with how people treat and maintain their car. And all makers sell some crappy cars in my opinion (like Ford's Aspire is it? The wee little econo-junker) so I am forced to admit that I cannot say I am solely a Ford Guy anymore... but I would like to be!

 

[chipscher]

Escapes are finally released for sale

We just got clearance to sell Escapes, and we literally have people lining up to test driva and look at them. Recalls notwithstanding, this is a tight, extremly quick SUV. It is simple, practical, and priced right. Ford has done a good job with this, if only for the V-6. I recently got an opportunity to flog one at Pompano Racetrack, and I am impressed. Imagine 100 salesman beating this vehicle within an inch of it's life. It took it all and came back for more. The recall issues are fixed, and these puppies roll, and like it or not, will unseat the Explorer as the most popular SUV on the market. Now, if I could only convince Steve Saleen to ........ ahhhhhh dreams!

 

[Stephen]

Do you really think it'll sell more than the Explorer? I dont see that happening. The small SUV market isnt big enough.

 

[mrsteve]

I agree with Stephen. The "cute-utes" will never be as strong in sales as the mid-size SUV's (Explorer, Blazer, Durango, etc.)

 

[TPLYNCH]

Whether it sells as well or more than the Explorer is going to depend on three things in my opinion....
1. Gasoline prices - If they continue to stay high, I can see people switching to the "more efficient" SUV.
2. How people react to the redesign of the Explorer.
3. The possible negative image the Explorer may receive due to the whole Firestone debacle. Even though I am convinced the problem is strictly tire related, once the general public gets it in their head that Explorers roll over, it's a tough image to erase.

 

[mmpc]

Drove Escape today...

Overall, I liked it. The V6 was quick, though not nearly as aggressive off-the-line as the 4.0L SOHC in my Sport. Fit & finish appeared well put together inside and out, offering many of the refinements found in an Explorer - good HVAC, CD tuner, seats, power package, etc. Finally, the price isn't bad - around $25,000 MSRP loaded with leather, moon roof, etc.

On the negative side, however, I couldn't help feeling this vechicle is more of a beefed-up minivan than a serious SUV. To begin with, there's NO LOW RANGE 4x4! Also, while I didn't crawl under the vehicle, the ride felt much too "cushy" to be taken on anything but the easiest of off-road trails. Could be wrong on this - indeed I hope I am - but it just didn't give that "solid" feeling. In fairness, however, I was not able to take it off-road to dispel/confirm these suspicions...

Based on my 1-hour test drive, I feel this vehicle will sell well for Ford, to folks who consider hitting a pothole off-roading. It does have decent power (V6), handling and amenities. Styling-wise, someone on this board said it looks like a mini Grand Cherokee - I couldn't agree more. Decide for yourself whether that's a good or a bad thing...

I'd consider purchasing an Escape, but I like off-roading too much. For that reason alone, I'll probably get another Explorer.

 

[rpenner54]

I like it for a in-town get around car. Its not meant to go off-road no matter what anyone tells you. Its a car chassis with car parts. However its a nice and TALL car that looks very comfy and has very nice interiour looks. I honestly would buy one as a daily driver type of a vehicle. Depending on the MPG it gets. I think that it is priced where a base Explorer should be priced also. I also think that it will sell big here in Colorado. Heck anything that says 4x4 on it does.

 

[mmpc]

MPG...

Ryan, it's EPA rated at 18MPG city, 24MPG highway - not horrible. I agree, here in Colorado, we'll be seeing a lot of the Escape.

 

[rpenner54]

naw thats pretty good if you ask me. I just filled up the tank on my new to me Escort and I got 28 MPG!!!! I was so impresed! LOL That and it was only 9 gallons that I had to put in. After getting this car and seeing the new Escapes I realize that I probably would like driving one of them. But its nothing more then a get around car. I wish they would call them tall cars. Cause thats really all they are. Tall Cars.

 

[Paul Gagnon]

Well would you look at that! A 4wd station wagon based on a car. I think it will sell like hotcakes!

 

[Goober]

It will probably appeal to the younger crowd with the yuppie intentions( wanna be full yuppies, can't quite make it yet ). Though it does get a little better mileage than my truck, it still costs $25k and I can go a LOOOOONNNNGGGG way on that. I could get my truck fully restored (new motor, interior, trans,..etc..) and still have mucho $$$$ left over.

Maybe I'm cheap or whatever, but I just cannot justifying spending that much on a vehicle. Like new cars, yes,..I have had a few of them. Never paid $25-$30k for one. Most I paid was $19,500 for a Grand Prix GTP in 1994. Traded it for a truck in 1997, then sold the truck and got the Explorer. Finally happy!

 

[rpenner54]

The prices I was seeing at the dealer were in the $19k-22k range so I know that you could probably get it for $16-19k if you worked at it hard enough. So its a expensive purchase sure... but when you go to sell it it will have most of that value still and it will make purchasing your next vehicle easier just because its less money to spend on it. I do agree on prices of new vehicles though. You just don't get your bang for your buck on most American vehicles that are new anymore.

 

[AFUinCO]

Escape/Tribute are 4WIS

I agree with all of you, these are nothing more than a typical grocery getter vehicle and ideal for those indiviaual who want the added traction of 4WD in inclement weather around town or the occasional jaunt down a dirt road.

With the 4 wheel independant suspension, it wasn't built to go offroad, but rather to handle well.

While this vehicle isn't for me, I can definitely see a market for it. This most directly competes with the Subaru Outback, CRV, Rav4, etc...

 

[n2knee]

MMPC quotes:

"Styling-wise, someone on this board said it looks like a mini Grand Cherokee - I couldn't agree more."

Actually it looks more like the Nissan Xterra. If I'm not mistaken, Ford was accused of being a copy cat, though in reality it is the other way around.