Two models are available, XLS ($17,645) and XLT ($19,195). Each offers a choice of front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive; four-wheel drive adds $1625 to the price. All come standard with Ford's four-cylinder Zetec engine. An additional $1400 buys the optional 3.0-liter V6.Escape XLS comes with a high level of standard equipment, including air conditioning, power windows and an AM/FM/CD stereo. XLT adds ABS, cruise control, map lights, a cassette player, a rear auxiliary power outlet, better seats and aluminum wheels instead of steel ones. Four-wheel-drive XLT models also get Ford's fully automatic Control Trac II system with a lockable center differential. An Escape loaded with leather, V6 and six-disc in-dash CD goes for less than $25,000.
The Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute are the first two vehicle that the two companies developed jointly through the entire research and development phase. Next Page