First introduced nine years ago as the corporate stable mate of the Mazda Tribute, the five passenger 2010 Ford Escape is two years removed from a full body make-over that brought it stylistically into line with its bigger brother in the Ford camp; the Expedition.
This 5-passenger compact SUV displays an aggressive stance, evident in its rugged grille, bulging fender flares and 17-inch chrome clad alloy wheels fitted with all season tires. With 8.1 inches of ground clearance and available four-wheel-drive, the Escape backs up its design with real-world off-road functionality.
There are three trim levels; the base XLS, up-rated XLT, and top of the line Limited, which we had the pleasure of driving.
The base engine for the Escape is a 2.5-liter inline-4 puts out 171 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque. It's mated to either a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. The available 3.0-liter V6 puts out 240 horsepower and 223 pound-feet of torque and routes power through the 6-speed automatic. Both engines are available with either front wheel or 4-wheel drive.
Fuel economy for the Escape ranges from 18 to 20 miles per gallon city up to 28 miles per gallon highway.
Access to the rear cargo area is provided by the 60/40 split-folding rear seats or via the rear lift-gate that includes a separately opening glass panel. Cargo space is 29 cubic feet behind the rear seats or 66 with the seats folded flat.
Another feature on our test Escape is the 320-Watt entertainment system that shares space in the center console with Ford's DVD-based navigation system. Leather seats and a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel round out interior appointments.
Standard safety equipment on the Escape includes 4-wheel antilock brakes, roll stability control, tire pressure monitoring system, and an assortment of front and side airbags.
Base MSRP for the 2010 Ford Escape is $21,060. A V6 4-wheel drive Limited starts at $29,100. All Escapes come with a 5-year, 60,000-mile power train warranty.
For around town or the occasional off-road "escape" to the country...the 2010 Ford Escape may be just the right choice for your next compact expedition.